Finance Manager

Location:
Leeds (Hybrid) – 2/3 days in the office

Salary:
£50 - £60k (DOE)

Cognisys is a fast-scaling, high-performing cybersecurity and GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) organisation serving clients in more than 30 countries. With a diverse, remote-first team across 7 nations and a clear vision for excellence, we are building the gold standard in security delivery. We operate with pace, clarity, and high standards, and we're looking for a Finance Manager who brings the same level of focus and ambition.

About the Role

This is a pivotal, business-facing Finance Manager position where you will combine technical expertise with hands-on delivery and commercial insight. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will help strengthen our finance operations as the business continues to scale at pace. This role is a key part of our succession plan, with a clear path to becoming our future Financial Controller within twelve months.

You'll play a key role in creating a disciplined, high-quality finance environment - enhancing processes, tightening controls and producing clear, insight-rich reporting that helps the senior team make informed decisions. This is an opportunity to have a real impact, shape how finance supports growth, and develop your career in a high-performance environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate, timely and insightful management accounts
  , including variance analysis and commentary that guides commercial decision-making.
• Own cash flow management
  , ensuring the business is well-positioned to scale and has the visibility needed for strong financial planning.
• Strengthen financial controls
  , improve processes and maintain high standards of governance across the finance function.
• Play an active role in budgeting and forecasting
  , working closely with the Financial Controller to model financial performance and support strategic planning.
• Proactively identify opportunities for improvement
  , driving efficiencies and enhancing the control environment.
• Support the year-end process
  , including coordination with external accountants and ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Oversee payroll processes
  , ensuring accuracy, compliance and opportunities for streamlining.
• Partner with senior stakeholders
  , providing clarity, narrative and insight that enhances financial understanding across the business.

Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong technical grounding and commercial awareness.
• Ideally 3–7+ years' PQE with experience in a fast-paced, growing environment (software, SaaS or tech desirable but not essential).
• A confident "translator of numbers" - turning data into clear, useful insight.
• Strong financial reporting skills, with exceptional attention to detail and a high personal standard of accuracy.
• Comfortable with improving processes, tightening control and building structure in a scaling business.
• Tech-savvy and proactive, ideally with working knowledge of Xero (bonus points for being the one others turn to when Xero misbehaves).
• Someone who enjoys pace, takes ownership, is solutions-focused and works collaboratively with senior leaders.

If you feel you can bring value but your experience looks slightly different, please still get in touch - mindset, approach and capability matter more than box-ticking.

What We Offer

• Annual Leave:
  25 days per year, plus UK bank holidays.
• Additional Leave:
  1 day of paid leave on your Birthday
• Health & Wellbeing:
  Access to Westfield Health Care Cash Plan and our Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing platform.
• Professional Development:
  £2,000 annual training budget to support your continued learning and career growth.
• Share Scheme:
  Eligibility to participate in our EMI share scheme after 18 months of continuous service (subject to company discretion).
• A dynamic and supportive work environment where customer care and innovation drive everything we do.
• Frequent team social events and celebrations.
• Refer a friend bonus scheme, up to £2,000

Why Join Us?

At Cognisys, you will be part of a collaborative and innovative team that values your input and shares support. You'll have the opportunity to work on challenging projects that make a real impact on our clients. We'd love to hear from you if you want to challenge, lead and innovate

We're not just about the work; we're about the people. Join a team where innovation is celebrated and your contributions are valued. We foster a collaborative environment where fresh ideas thrive and professional growth is encouraged.

Applications

Please feel free to reach out to Dom, our Head of Talent Acquisition, if you would like any further information, to discuss accessibility requirements, or if you require this information provided in an alternative format –

We welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and can make various reasonable adjustments to accommodate individual needs.

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES, PLEASE