German-speaking Project Accountant

6-month interim role starting in February 2026

Job title: Interim Commercial Finance Manager - German SpeakingContract: 6 months initially (February 2026 start)Context: SME scale-up, PE-backed / PE-readyBristol-based role (Hybrid / flexible working available) - with occasional travel abroad Role purposeThe Interim Commercial Finance Manager will support the leadership team through a critical scale-up phase, improving financial visibility, forecasting accuracy and commercial decision-making. The role is hands-on and delivery-focused, ensuring the business has robust, investor-grade financial insight and is well-prepared for future PE or exit activity. This is a short-term, high-impact role focused on clarity, control and value creation.

Essential skills & experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
• Proven experience in SME scale-ups, PE-backed or fast-growth environments
• Strong commercial finance / business partnering background
• Comfortable operating hands-on with limited structure or resource
• Able to simplify complexity and move quickly without over-engineering
• Strong stakeholder management skills at leadership level
• German language skills (written & verbal)
  
  Key responsibilities

Commercial partnering & insightAct as the primary finance partner to senior operational and commercial leadersProvide clear, actionable insight into revenue, margins, costs and profitability driversSupport pricing, investment and resource decisions with robust financial analysisForecasting, budgeting & planningOwn and improve short-term and medium-term forecasting (monthly, quarterly, annual)Reduce forecast volatility and improve confidence in numbersBuild or refine simple, scalable models suitable for a growing SMEManagement reporting & KPIsDesign and deliver concise management reporting packs focused on key value driversDefine and standardise KPIs across revenue, margin, cash and operational performanceEnsure consistency between management accounts, forecasts and board reportingEBITDA quality & cash focusImprove understanding and transparency of EBITDA performance and movementsIdentify and implement margin improvement and cost control opportunitiesSupport working capital optimisation and cash flow forecastingExit readiness / PE hygieneEnsure financial information is well-structured, explainable and diligence-readySupport preparation of financial narratives and data for investors or advisorsImprove documentation, assumptions and controls to reduce key-person riskInterim delivery & handoverDeliver tangible improvements within the 6-month periodUpskill internal teams where appropriate and leave clear tools, processes and documentationEnsure a smooth handover to permanent or extended finance leadershipWhat success looks like after 6 monthsForecasts are reliable, explainable and trustedManagement reporting is concise, consistent and decision-usefulClear visibility of EBITDA drivers and cash performanceLeadership is better equipped to make commercial decisions.The business is materially more "investor-ready" than at day oneWhat you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, available in the coming weeks & feel you meet the criteria, reach out to Charles Maidment from Hays Bristol senior finance contracts team.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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