Careers at ARQ

ARQ is a boutique finance advisory firm working with ambitious, founder-led businesses.

We support companies as they grow – helping them build strong financial foundations, understand their numbers properly, and make better strategic decisions. Our work sits somewhere between accountancy and leadership support: we provide the financial clarity and discipline that many growing businesses need but often don’t yet have in-house.

We believe good finance is about more than compliance. It is about helping business owners see clearly, understand their options, and make confident decisions about the future of their company.

ARQ is building a small, trusted team of people who enjoy working closely with businesses, solving problems, and bringing clarity to complex financial situations.

We are based in Lancaster and work in a hybrid way, with at least one day per week in the office. We offer a supportive environment, flexibility where it works for the role, and the opportunity to grow within a finance advisory business that is developing quickly.

Finance Assistant

This is an important role within ARQ. Strong financial foundations allow our advisory work to deliver real value to clients. For more information about the role contact martin@arqgroup.co.uk 

Salary: £25,000 – £35,000 depending on experience
Hours: Full-time or part-time considered
Location: Hybrid (Lancaster office at least one day per week)

We are looking for a Finance Assistant who enjoys working with financial systems, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring that the foundations of good finance are always in place.

This role will support the delivery of ARQ’s finance services to clients. You will be responsible for the core financial processes that allow our advisory work to function effectively – from bookkeeping and reconciliations through to payroll, VAT and regular reporting.

This position would suit a candidate who is highly organised, detail-focused and interested in building a career in finance.

The role will include

Maintaining accurate bookkeeping records using Xero
Preparing regular monthly financial reports
Processing payroll
Preparing and submitting VAT returns
Managing purchase and sales ledgers
Reconciling accounts and checking financial data
Supporting client reporting and internal financial systems

We are looking for someone who

Has excellent attention to detail
Enjoys solving financial and data-related problems
Is highly reliable and organised
Has experience using Xero
Has experience with bookkeeping, payroll and VAT returns
Takes pride in maintaining accurate financial records

Finance Manager

This role offers the opportunity to grow into a senior advisory position as ARQ expands. For more information about the role contact martin@arqgroup.co.uk 

Salary: £35,000 – £45,000
Hours: Ideally full-time (part-time 3+ days considered)
Location: Hybrid (Lancaster office at least one day per week)

We are looking for a Finance Manager who enjoys working closely with businesses and helping leadership teams understand their numbers.

At ARQ we work with founder-led companies that are often moving from early growth into more structured and disciplined financial management. The Finance Manager will play an important role in helping these businesses develop better reporting, stronger financial processes and clearer strategic insight.

This role sits between operational finance and advisory support, and would suit someone who has experience in accountancy practice, in-house finance management, or a combination of both.

The role will include

Preparing and reviewing monthly management accounts
Supporting budgeting and financial forecasting
Providing financial insight to support strategic decisions
Working with founders and leadership teams to improve financial discipline
Overseeing client finance processes including bookkeeping, payroll and VAT
Helping businesses build better financial systems and reporting structures

We are looking for someone who

Has experience in finance management or accountancy
Understands management accounts and financial reporting
Is comfortable working directly with business owners
Has strong analytical and organisational skills
Has experience using Xero or similar systems
Is ambitious to develop into a more strategic advisory role