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

Salary: £50-£60k (DOE)

Due to continued growth and expansion, we seek a highly motivated, detail-oriented Finance Manager. Reporting to the Financial Controller, the successful candidate will assist with day-to-day financial operations and ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.

Cognisys is a fast-scaling, high-performance cybersecurity and GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) organisation, serving clients in over 30 countries, with a diverse, remote-first team across 7 nations. With 68 elite professionals, and growing rapidly, we’re building the gold standard in security delivery – and we don’t do average. We’re relentless, smart, and unapologetically ambitious – and we need a Finance Manager who is just as driven.

About the Role

This is not a back-office finance job. It’s a hands-on, sleeves rolled up, business-critical role for someone ready to shape the future of a company in ‘scale-up’ mode. You’ll work closely with the Financial Controller in overseeing the day-to-day financial operations, ensuring robust financial controls, and providing insightful analysis to support business growth. This is a hands-on role with scope to influence senior leadership and shape financial strategy.

This role is for someone at the top of their game. If you thrive in pace, precision, and purpose…we want to meet you!

Key Responsibilities

• Drive financial performance by preparing accurate, timely, and insight-rich management accounts, delivering variance analysis and clear commentary that empowers the leadership team to make smart, data-driven decisions.

• Take charge of cash flow – ensuring the business has the fuel it needs to scale by managing accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and tax processes with precision and foresight.

• Be the guardian of governance – ensure financial controls are watertight, processes are efficient, and proactively flag and mitigate risks before they become issues.

• Shape the future by partnering with the Financial Controller on strategic long-term plans, building budgets, and forecasting financial trends that align with business growth ambitions.

• Protect and strengthen the financial backbone by identifying vulnerabilities, designing mitigation strategies, and continuously improving the control environment.

• Lead from the front during the year-end process, managing the relationship with external accountants to deliver a smooth, accurate, and timely close.
• Payroll ownership – ensuring every team member is paid accurately, on time, and in compliance, while seeking opportunities to streamline and improve payroll processes.

Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with 5–10 years’ PQE, bringing both technical expertise and commercial acumen.

• A track record of navigating audits with confidence and delivering clean, robust financials under scrutiny.

• Proven ability to translate numbers into narrative – skilled in financial reporting and analysis that adds clarity, context, and strategic value.

• Attention to detail that’s second to none, balancing accuracy in reporting with the ability to see the bigger picture.

• Tech-savvy, ideally with experience in the software or SaaS sector, and hands-on knowledge of Xero (bonus points for being the one others turn to when Xero misbehaves).
• A natural problem-solver with the gravitas to challenge, influence, and partner with senior stakeholders.

If you think you can deliver but don't match the criteria above, please don't be put off. We are very open-minded and focus on ability and attitude above skills.

What We Offer

• Annual Leave: 25 days per year, plus UK bank holidays.

• Additional Leave: 1 day of paid leave on your Birthday!

• Heath & 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 – hiring@cognisys.co.uk

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

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES, PLEASE