Finance Manager

The Opportunity

We're working with an independent business in London to find a Finance Manager to run their day-to-day finance function.

Each of their income streams has its own billing model and cost base, so accurate billing and margin reporting by stream are central to this role.

The Role

You'll own the month-end close, management accounts, billing, cash flow and compliance, delivering accurate, timely financial information to the Directors. You'll work to an agreed accounting calendar, with an external finance consultant providing monthly review and quality control before reports go to the Directors, and you'll line manage the Accounts Assistant.

What You'll Be Doing

Month-end and management accounts

• Run the month-end close to the accounting calendar and month-end checklist
• Prepare monthly management accounts: P&L, balance sheet and commentary on variances
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations each month, including bank, debtors, creditors, accruals, prepayments and VAT control
• Post journals, accruals and prepayments with supporting workings
• Submit the month-end pack for external review by the agreed deadline and action review points

Billing and revenue

• Oversee accurate and timely customer billing across all four income streams, including cost-per-copy print billing and meter readings
• Review billing runs before release and resolve queries and disputes
• Make sure all chargeable work is invoiced and contract terms are applied correctly

Cost of sales and margin

• Maintain a clear, consistent cost of sales calculation
• Analyse gross margin by income stream and explain movements month to month
• Flag pricing, cost or contract issues that affect margin

Cash management

• Manage credit control and chase overdue debts
• Run supplier payments to agreed terms and approval limits
• Support the weekly cash flow forecast and keep the cash position visible to the Directors

Compliance and controls

• Prepare and submit VAT returns on time
• Process or oversee payroll, pension and PAYE submissions
• Maintain finance procedures, approval controls and audit trails
• Prepare year-end information and schedules for the accountants

Team and improvement

• Line manage the Accounts Assistant: allocate work, review outputs, hold regular one-to-ones and carry out appraisals
• Mentor and train the Accounts Assistant, building their technical skills and confidence and supporting any professional study
• Improve finance processes, systems and reporting over time
• Act as the main finance contact for the Directors, staff, customers and suppliers

Who You'll Work With

• The Directors, who receive your monthly results, cash position and any issues needing a decision
• An external finance consultant, who reviews your month-end pack and provides guidance and mentoring
• The Accounts Assistant, whom you line manage and mentor
• Operations and sales teams, who provide the job, usage and contract data needed for billing and cost of sales
• Customers and suppliers, on billing queries, credit control and payments
• The accountants, HMRC and the bank, on year-end, VAT, payroll and banking matters

What We're Looking For

• At least 3 years in a finance role covering month-end close and management accounts in an SME
• Qualified or part-qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent experience
• Hands-on experience with balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, prepayments and VAT returns
• Strong Excel skills: lookups, pivot tables, building and checking reconciliations
• Experience with a cloud accounting package (e.g. Xero, Sage, QuickBooks)
• The ability to work to deadlines without supervision and take review points on board
• A clear communicator who can explain the numbers to non-finance Directors

Nice to Have

• Experience of usage-based or recurring billing, such as cost-per-copy print or managed services
• Gross margin and cost of sales analysis
• Cash flow forecasting and credit control
• Payroll and pension processing
• Experience line managing, mentoring or training junior finance staff
• Commercial awareness: understanding how pricing, contracts and costs drive profit, and spotting opportunities and risks
• Supplier management: negotiating terms, reviewing contracts and challenging costs
• Stakeholder management: building strong working relationships with Directors, customers, suppliers and external advisers

What Success Looks Like

• The month-end pack is submitted for review by the date in the accounting calendar, every month
• All key balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly, with no unexplained balances
• Review points reduce each month, and none are repeated
• Billing is issued on schedule, with no missed chargeable usage
• Gross margin movements are explained each month with supporting workings
• Overdue balances are reduced to an agreed level
• VAT and payroll submissions are all on time, with no penalties