Establish ownership of the monthly reporting cycle
Separate preparing journals and reconciliations from owning the complete management accounts pack. Ask about accruals, prepayments, balance sheet substantiation, intercompany work and the review process. The brief should state whether the person prepares, reviews or signs off each output.
Budgeting, forecasting and business partnering
Budget experience is more useful when candidates can explain the assumptions they built, how they worked with budget holders and what changed after actual results were reviewed. Explore how they distinguish timing differences from underlying performance and turn analysis into a clear discussion with non-finance colleagues.
Manufacturing finance and costing
Where the role supports production, identify whether standard costing, bills of materials, stock valuation, overhead absorption and materials or labour variances are essential. Ask candidates to explain a production variance they investigated, the operational evidence they used and how the corrective action was monitored. Sector experience should be assessed against the actual processes, not assumed from an employer name.
Reporting systems and Power BI
Define whether the requirement is to use existing dashboards, build reports or own data models. Relevant Power BI skills may include Power Query, relationships, DAX measures and reconciliation to the ledger. Financial controls, consistent definitions and reliable source data remain essential even when reporting is automated.
Qualifications and progression
Agree whether ACA, ACCA, CIMA, part-qualified status or equivalent experience meets the requirement. Assess the work undertaken alongside the qualification. Candidates should understand the reporting line, mentoring available and whether progression means wider accounting ownership, business partnering or team leadership.
Discuss your finance appointment
Call 020 8064 3431 or email kelly@eleanorbanks.com.