Finance Manager

Overall Role

• Own the end-to-end financial close process and delivery of accurate, timely monthly management accounts for assigned entities.
• Serve as the primary finance contact and business partner for the CEO(s) of the relevant business(es), providing financial insight and support for operational decisions.
• Maintain a strong control environment - ensuring policies, procedures, and compliance obligations are met at all times.
• Coordinate and manage statutory audits and regulatory filings for assigned entities.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including AP, AR, payroll accounting, intercompany, and reconciliations.
• Responsible for budgeting and forecasting.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of finance processes, embracing digital tools and automation to increase efficiency and accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Close & Reporting

• Own and manage the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes for assigned entities, ensuring completion within agreed timelines.
• Prepare accurate and complete monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.
• Deliver monthly financial reporting packs to the Head of Finance and the entity CEO(s), with clear variance analysis and commentary.
• Ensure all financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards (IFRS/local GAAP as applicable) and group policies.
• Review and sign off on all key account reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, and journal entries as part of the close process.
• Maintain a close-process checklist and ensure consistent execution each period.

Business Partnering - CEO

• Act as the primary finance business partner to the CEO(s) of assigned entities, building a strong working relationship based on trust, candor, and commercial awareness.
• Provide timely, relevant financial analysis to support the CEO's operational decisions – including pricing, cost management, headcount, and investment decisions.
• Challenge assumptions and results constructively, bringing financial discipline to business planning discussions.
• Translate financial data into clear, accessible narratives for non-finance stakeholders.
• Participate in leadership meetings and business reviews as the finance representative.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the preparation of the annual budget for assigned entities in coordination with the CEO and in line with group timelines and formats.
• Prepare and maintain rolling forecasts, updating assumptions based on actual performance and business developments.
• Monitor performance against budget and forecast, identifying variances and driving corrective actions with the business.
• Prepare budget vs actual analysis and present findings to the Head of Finance and entity CEO(s).

Audit & Statutory Compliance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors for assigned entities, coordinating all audit requests and ensuring a smooth, efficient audit process.
• Prepare or review statutory financial statements and supporting schedules required for annual audits.
• Ensure all statutory filings (corporate tax, VAT, payroll, local regulatory) are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain an audit‑ready control environment year‑round, proactively identifying and addressing control gaps.
• Liaise with external tax advisors and legal counsel on compliance matters as required.

Accounting Operations & Controls

• Oversee day‑to‑day accounting activities including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and intercompany transactions.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly with supporting documentation.
• Maintain and enforce strong internal financial controls, policies, and procedures.
• Identify and remediate control weaknesses, escalating material issues to the Head of Finance.
• Oversee intercompany billing, reconciliations, and elimination entries for assigned entities.

Cash Flow & Working Capital

• Monitor entity‑level cash flow and working capital on an ongoing basis, flagging risks to the Head of Finance and entity CEO proactively.
• Manage AR collections and AP payment cycles to optimise cash and working capital.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts as required and maintain visibility over short‑term liquidity.
• Support bank account management and payment approvals at the entity level.

Process Improvement & Finance Tools

• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate finance processes – including close, reporting, reconciliations, and AP/AR – leveraging available tools and technology.
• Document and maintain up‑to‑date finance procedures and process maps for assigned entities.
• Support the adoption of group‑wide finance systems, tools, and reporting standards.
• Contribute ideas for AI‑assisted or automated workflows to reduce manual effort and improve data quality.

Key Deliverables

• Monthly management accounts and reporting packs – on time and to standard.
• Month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close completed within agreed deadlines.
• Annual budget and rolling forecasts for assigned entities.
• Statutory financial statements prepared and audit‑ready.
• Annual audit coordinated and completed with no material findings.
• All statutory filings (tax, VAT, payroll) submitted on time.
• Balance sheet fully reconciled and signed off each period.
• Cash flow forecast and working capital monitoring.
• Finance process documentation maintained and up to date.
• Regular financial updates and business partner support to entity CEO(s).

Key Skills & Experience

• Qualified accountant (CPA, ACA, ACCA, CMA or equivalent) with 4‑7 years post‑qualification experience in a finance management role.
• Full proficiency in English.
• Proven ownership of full‑cycle month‑end close, management accounts, and financial statement preparation.
• Hands‑on experience coordinating statutory audits and managing relationships with external auditors.
• Strong working knowledge of accounting standards (IFRS and/or local GAAP), VAT, and corporate tax compliance.
• Experience as a finance business partner to non‑finance stakeholders, ideally at CEO/MD level.
• Solid understanding of internal controls, balance sheet management, and working capital optimisation.
• High proficiency in ERP systems and financial reporting tools; comfortable working across multiple entities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insight.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: able to present financials clearly and influence without authority.
• Detail‑oriented, well‑organised, and capable of managing competing deadlines independently.
• An interest in finance technology, process automation, and digital tools is a plus.

This role is suited for a hands‑on finance professional who takes pride in technical accuracy, builds strong relationships with business leaders, and is motivated by making a tangible impact on the performance of the businesses they support.