This is a superb opportunity for a qualified, part-qualified or suitably experienced accountant looking to develop their career within a sizeable commercial organisation and gain exposure well beyond traditional month-end accounting.

Reporting directly to an experienced and supportive Finance Director, you’ll become a key member of the finance team, taking responsibility for financial reporting, controls and governance while also working closely with colleagues across the wider business.

It’s a broad role that combines financial accounting, management reporting and commercial finance, making it particularly attractive to someone looking for their first or next move into a substantial industry environment.

The role

Responsibilities will include:

• Producing accurate and timely monthly management accounts and group reporting
• Maintaining strong financial controls and identifying opportunities to improve processes
• Supporting corporate tax compliance and associated reporting
• Acting as a key contact for internal and external audit
• Supporting monthly, quarterly and annual budgets and forecasts
• Financial and commercial analysis to support business decision-making
• Inventory and stock reporting, including analysis of slow-moving and obsolete stock
• Supporting risk, governance and control processes
• Reviewing financial reporting processes and identifying opportunities for greater efficiency
• Working collaboratively with Finance, Sales, Operations and IT to ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial information
• Supporting the Finance Director and wider finance team with continuous improvement initiatives

About you

We’re looking for someone with a strong grounding in accountancy who is ready to broaden their commercial experience.

You may already be working within industry, or you could be looking to make the move from accountancy practice into a commercial business.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Qualified, part-qualified or strong QBE accounting experience
• Experience within a financial control and reporting environment
• Strong Excel skills
• Good analytical ability and commercial awareness
• Confidence managing deadlines and competing priorities
• An interest in improving processes, controls and reporting
• A proactive, collaborative approach and the confidence to work with colleagues outside of finance

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who wants to learn, develop and take genuine ownership of your responsibilities.

Package & benefits

Alongside a competitive salary, the business offers an excellent overall benefits package including:

• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, working between 8:30am and 5:30pm
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 28 days with extended service
• Holiday Flex – buy or sell up to 5 days
• 5% employee / 5% employer pension
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling, second medical opinions and online physiotherapy, with support also available to immediate family
• PayCare medical plans available
• Staff product discount
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Mentor/Mentee scheme
• Employee forum
• Social and wellbeing events
• Half-day volunteering opportunity
• Eyecare support

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established Carlisle business, work closely with senior finance leadership and build broader technical and commercial experience within a professional group environment.

For further details, please contact Heidi Wright Recruitment in complete confidence.

10–20 Hours Per Week | Genuine Flexibility

6–12 Month Contract or Permanent Opportunity

Are you an experienced accountant who enjoys systems, improving processes and finding better ways of working?

Perhaps you're immediately available, approaching the end of a contract or simply looking for an interesting, flexible opportunity to keep your hand in.

We're supporting a well-established, successful large business, as they prepare to implement a new financial accounting system.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a significant project, working closely with an experienced Head of Finance, a supportive, long-serving finance team and dedicated on-site IT colleagues.

The Opportunity

Your initial focus will be to understand how the business operates, its existing financial systems, processes and reporting requirements, before helping to ensure the new system delivers what the business needs.

Responsibilities will include:

• Understanding existing accounting processes, financial data and reporting requirements.

• Acting as a key link between finance and IT, translating accounting needs into practical system solutions.

• Supporting data migration, reconciliations and system testing.

• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, reporting and efficiency.

• Preparing clear procedure notes and supporting colleagues with training.

• Taking a proactive, hands-on approach to resolving issues and achieving the best possible outcome.

About You

We're looking for someone with a sound accounting background, ideally within management accounting or financial reporting, who has a genuine interest in systems and process improvements.

You'll be analytical, confident working with financial data and Excel, and someone who enjoys understanding how things work and finding ways to make them better.

Previous systems implementation experience would be advantageous, but is certainly not essential.

We would genuinely welcome conversations with accountants who haven't undertaken a formal implementation project before but have the knowledge, enthusiasm and initiative to embrace this opportunity.

Qualified, part-qualified and qualified-by-experience accountants will all be considered.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Financial systems implementation and transformation is an increasingly valuable skill set within the accounting profession.

For someone looking to broaden their experience, successfully contributing to a project of this nature could be an excellent addition to your CV, potentially opening doors to future interim, project-based and consultancy opportunities.

You'll have the support of an established finance team who are fully committed to making the project a success, while having the opportunity to take ownership and make a tangible difference.

Flexibility & Contract Options

• Hours: 10–20 per week, with genuine flexibility around working days and start/finish times.

• Contract: 6–12 months or permanent for the right individual.

• Longer-term opportunity: A permanent appointment would evolve into broader management accounting, financial reporting and ongoing process improvement responsibilities.

• Start date: Ideally mid-November to early December 2026, although January 2027 can be accommodated.

Whether you're between contracts, looking to reduce your working hours or keen to gain valuable experience in financial systems implementation, we'd love to hear from you.

You don't need to have done it before. You do need to understand accounting, enjoy systems and have the initiative to make things happen.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Heidi Wright Recruitment asap.  Interviews likely to take place on Tuesday 27th October.

Write the next chapter of a story that began in 1754.

Few businesses are known around the world. Fewer still are family-owned, with the freedom to think long term.

Gretna Green has been bringing people together for generations. Today we're a diverse business spanning weddings, two hotels, catering, retail and visitor experiences, and around 3,000 couples marry here every year. With a multi-million pound capital programme under way, we're building a destination in its own right, with more reasons for people to visit, stay and return.

We're looking for a commercially minded Finance Director to join our Leadership Team and help shape what comes next.

Reporting to our Executive Chair, you'll provide strategic financial leadership, protect the financial health of the business, and enable sustainable growth and sound commercial decisions.

You'll lead our Finance, Property and Risk & Compliance teams, acting as a genuine strategic partner to our Executive Chair and Leadership Team.

This is much more than a traditional finance leadership role. We're looking for an FD who brings an independent voice, offers constructive challenge, and turns financial and operational information into meaningful commercial insight.

• Allocate capital well: act as financial lead on our multi-million pound capital programme, from business cases and cash phasing to risk review and benefits tracking.
• Be a true strategic partner: bring an independent view and constructive challenge on strategy and investment, and the confidence to bring people with you.
• Turn data into insight: tell the story behind the numbers, not just what happened but why, and what we should do next, across hotels, catering, weddings, retail and attractions.
• Build capability: coach and develop your teams, strengthen our finance systems and help everyone across the business understand the numbers.
• Think like an owner: take the lead on value creation, revenue recognition, asset utilisation and partnerships, without waiting to be asked.
• Protect financial health: lead forecasting, budgeting, treasury and working capital; manage relationships with our auditors, banks and advisers; and represent our Leadership Team at the Audit & Risk Committee.

You're a fully qualified accountant (ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA), already a Finance Director or operating at that level, with demonstrable experience of capital allocation and investment decisions.

Open, commercially sharp and confident at the top table, you bring an independent view and a track record of influencing senior decisions. You develop people and build strong, accountable teams.

Above all, you think like an owner, recognising the responsibility, and the opportunity, that comes with helping steward a family-owned business through its next stage of growth.

Free lunch on workdays, a 25% discount across the company and a free night stay each year at one of our hotels.

Few Finance Director opportunities combine a brand with this level of recognition and heritage with the chance to influence such an important period of investment and development.

The history is already remarkable. The next chapter is yours to write.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Heidi on heidi@heidiwrightrecruitment.co.uk or 01228 472351. All applications and conversations will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Closing date: Wednesday 21st October 2026

First stage interview w/c 2nd November 2026

Final interview w/c 16th November 2026

Heidi Wright Recruitment is delighted to be recruiting a Purchase Ledger Assistant on behalf of a well-recognised and successful business based in Penrith.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their accounting career to join a supportive finance team, gain valuable hands-on experience and develop professionally.

Whether you're already working in an accounts environment, studying towards AAT, or looking to take your first steps into accountancy, we'd welcome a conversation.

The business is committed to investing in its people, offering professional training, support towards AAT qualifications and genuine opportunities for long-term career progression.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Financial Controller and wider finance team, your responsibilities will include:

• Processing supplier invoices and credit notes accurately and efficiently.

• Matching invoices against purchase orders and delivery notes.

• Reconciling supplier statements and investigating discrepancies.

• Assisting with supplier payment runs and remittance advice.

• Responding to supplier queries by telephone and email.

• Ensuring invoices are appropriately authorised and accurately recorded.

• Supporting month-end procedures and account reconciliations.

• Assisting with VAT, CIS and other accounting processes as your knowledge develops.

• Maintaining accurate financial records and supporting the wider accounts team.

Skills & Experience

We're looking for someone who is organised, enthusiastic and keen to develop their career in finance.

Ideally, you'll demonstrate:

• Previous experience in purchase ledger or accounts administration would be advantageous, although not essential.

• Good numerical skills and excellent attention to detail.

• Confidence using Microsoft Excel and general IT systems.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.

• Good communication skills and a professional approach.

• A positive attitude, reliability and willingness to learn.

• An interest in developing your accounting knowledge and qualifications.

Qualifications & Training

• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above

• Candidates currently studying AAT are encouraged to apply

Salary & Benefits

• Starting salary of £25,000 – £28,000, dependent on experience.

• Annual salary reviews in line with progression.

• Discretionary annual bonus based on company performance.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

• Company pension scheme.

• AAT study support and professional development.

• On-site parking.

• Supportive and experienced finance team.

• Permanent, full-time employment.

• Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm.

Why Apply?

This is more than simply a purchase ledger position. It's an opportunity to establish yourself within a successful business that recognises potential and is willing to invest in your development.

You'll gain practical accounting experience, work alongside experienced colleagues and have the opportunity to develop your skills and responsibilities as your career progresses.

If you're motivated, numerically confident and keen to build a long-term career in accountancy, we'd love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV or contact Heidi Wright Recruitment for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.

Applications are welcomed from candidates with varying levels of experience, provided they demonstrate the right attitude, enthusiasm and commitment to learning.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you’ll take ownership of key transactional finance processes while also getting involved in cash flow forecasting, banking, reconciliations, cost analysis and wider finance support.

This would suit someone who enjoys having their own responsibilities, likes to keep things organised and accurate, and wants a role where they can make a genuine contribution rather than simply process transactions.

The role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of the purchase ledger, including invoice and purchase order processing, subcontractor applications, CIS, supplier payments and monthly statement reconciliations
• Investigating invoice discrepancies and liaising with colleagues, suppliers and subcontractors to resolve queries
• Maintaining accurate accounts payable and receivable records
• Processing and reconciling employee expenses and company credit cards
• Monitoring daily bank balances, recording transactions and completing bank reconciliations
• Preparing and maintaining weekly cash flow forecasts
• Supporting the project management team with cost analysis and financial information
• Managing queries received through the Accounts and Orders inboxes
• Providing ad-hoc analysis and reporting to support the Financial Controller and wider business

About you

You’ll be someone who is comfortable taking responsibility for your workload and enjoys working as part of a supportive team.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience within an accounts, finance or bookkeeping role
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and pride in producing accurate work
• Confident communication skills and the ability to build good working relationships
• A practical, proactive approach and willingness to help across the finance function
• Experience using Sage and Excel would be advantageous
• Previous experience within construction, property or a project-based environment would be useful, although this is not essential

Experience of CIS or subcontractor accounting would be particularly helpful, but candidates with strong transferable accounts experience are also encouraged to apply.

What’s on offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Permanent position
• Hybrid / flexible working options
• Company pension
• On-site parking
• A varied role with genuine ownership and responsibility
• Opportunity to work closely with the Financial Controller and wider operational team
• Scope to develop your knowledge across a broader range of finance activities

A great opportunity for an experienced Accounts Assistant looking for a varied position where you can take ownership of your work, become an important part of the finance team and gain exposure beyond traditional transactional accounting.

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Group Financial Controller to join a substantial and growing multi-business group headquartered in Carlisle.

Operating across a number of complementary sectors including construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities and specialist services, the Group comprises 14 businesses, employs more than 350 people and operates from eight locations across the UK.

This is a high-profile finance leadership appointment offering breadth, complexity and influence. Reporting to the Group Finance Director, you will take responsibility for the finance function across the operating businesses, leading a team of 14 and working closely with senior commercial and operational leadership.

The opportunity

This is much more than a reporting-focused Financial Controller position.

The successful individual will be expected to lead with solutions, challenge constructively and continually look for ways to improve how finance supports the wider business.

You will enjoy working cross-functionally, building strong relationships with commercial and operational teams and translating financial information into meaningful insight that helps people make better decisions.

The environment is fast-paced and evolving, so you will need to be comfortable balancing the detail with the bigger picture – maintaining strong financial control whilst driving improvements in reporting, systems, processes and performance.

There is also a real appetite to embrace technology, automation and AI tools, exploring how these can improve efficiency, accuracy and the quality of financial insight across the Group.

Key responsibilities

You will have a broad remit, including:

• Delivering weekly flash reporting, providing timely visibility of performance, key trends and areas requiring action
• Ownership of monthly and year-end consolidated reporting across the Group
• Leading the finance function across multiple operating companies, including eight direct reports
• Leading budgeting, rolling forecasts, variance and sensitivity analysis
• Working closely with commercial and operational teams around CVRs, WIP, cost-to-complete, project margins and overall contract performance
• Developing and improving management dashboards and KPI reporting, turning financial and operational data into clear, actionable insight
• Taking ownership of group cash flow forecasting, liquidity and working capital
• Overseeing debtor collections, supplier payments and key financial commitments
• Leading audit processes across the operating businesses
• Continually improving financial controls, reporting and processes
• Playing a key role in the integration and harmonisation of finance systems
• Championing technology, automation and appropriate AI tools to create a smarter and more efficient finance function
• Identifying issues early and taking a solutions-led approach to resolving them
• Coaching and developing the finance team, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Partnering senior leadership and contributing financial insight to strategic decision-making and future growth

About you

We are looking for a fully qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA or CIMA – who combines strong technical capability with commercial awareness, energy and confident leadership.

You are likely to have operated within an operationally complex or project-led organisation, with construction, infrastructure, utilities or a related sector particularly relevant.

Experience of CVRs, WIP, cost-to-complete, retentions, project margins and cash management would be highly advantageous, alongside the ability to develop insightful reporting and dashboards that support both finance and operational decision-making.

Experience within a multi-entity or Group environment is desirable, particularly where this has involved consolidation, intercompany accounting and working across different operating businesses or locations.

Beyond the technical requirements, we are particularly interested in someone who:

• Leads with a solution
• Has the drive to question, improve and modernise existing ways of working
• Enjoys building relationships outside finance and working collaboratively with commercial and operational colleagues
• Can turn numbers into meaningful insight, using dashboards and KPIs to drive action
• Is hands-on and prepared to get into the detail when required
• Is commercially astute and comfortable challenging and influencing senior stakeholders
• Embraces technology, automation and AI and is curious about how these can improve finance
• Can operate effectively within a fast-paced environment where priorities can change
• Leads from the front and enjoys developing a strong finance team

Experience of finance transformation, ERP implementation or systems integration would also be valuable.

Salary & benefits: Up to £90,000

The wider package includes:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Private Medical Insurance
• Death in Service – 3x salary
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Professional subscriptions covered
• 39-hour working week  - Earlier finish on a Friday
• Flexibility around start and finish times by agreement

The position is predominantly based from the Carlisle head office, with interaction across regional locations. 

Why consider this opportunity?

For someone looking for their next senior finance appointment in Cumbria, this offers an interesting combination of scale, complexity, transformation and influence.

You will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact – improving the speed and quality of reporting, strengthening cash and working capital management, enhancing CVR and project performance visibility, developing meaningful dashboards, embracing new technology and building even stronger links between finance, commercial and operational teams.

This is a role for someone who wants to drive improvement rather than simply maintain what is already there and who enjoys being close to the business, its people and its performance.

All enquiries and applications will be handled in the strictest confidence.

If you're an experienced Practice Accountant looking for a role that offers autonomy, variety and an outstanding work-life balance, this could be exactly what you've been waiting for.

Working from home, you'll only be required to attend the Cumbria office approximately once every two months for team planning, collaboration and development sessions, with mileage expenses covered.

This is an additional position created due to continued business growth and increasing client demand, joining a friendly, experienced team who work closely together despite being remotely based.

The Role

You'll work across a varied portfolio of owner-managed businesses, mainly Limited companies, providing high-quality accountancy and taxation services whilst developing strong client relationships.

Responsibilities will include:

• Preparing year-end accounts for limited companies, sole traders, partnerships and charities
• Preparing management accounts and financial reports
• Preparing personal, corporation and partnership tax returns
• Reviewing VAT returns and providing VAT guidance
• Supporting clients with cloud accounting software including Xero
• Reviewing bookkeeping and assisting with software migrations
• Responding to client queries and acting as a trusted point of contact
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure excellent client service

Rather than inheriting a fixed client portfolio, work is allocated according to workload, strengths and development opportunities, creating a varied and interesting role.

About You

You'll already have experience working within an accountancy practice and enjoy managing your own workload whilst delivering excellent client service.

Ideally you'll have:

• AAT qualification or be qualified through experience
• At least three years' experience within an accountancy practice
• Experience preparing accounts for a range of business entities
• Strong knowledge of VAT, corporation tax and personal tax
• Experience using cloud accounting software, particularly Xero
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• The ability to work independently from home whilst remaining a collaborative team player

What's on Offer?

• Remote working
• Office meet-up approximately once every two months
• Flexible working hours (ideally 20-30 hours per week)
• Family-friendly culture with genuine work-life balance
• Salary circa £33,000 (FTE)
• 5% employer pension contribution
• 30 days annual leave (inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Laptop, monitor and associated home-working equipment provided
• Supportive, approachable and highly experienced team
• Varied client work with no rigid portfolio structure

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Practice Accountant seeking flexibility without compromising on interesting client work or being part of a close-knit, supportive team.

For a confidential discussion or further information, please contact Heidi Wright Recruitment. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.