Finance Manager
| Job Type | Permanent full-time |
| Location | St. Albans |
| Area | East of England, UK |
| Sector | Accounting and Finance |
| Salary | £38000 - £40000 per annum |
| Start Date | ASAP |
| Job Ref | jp121026_1791798304 |
| Job Views | 6 |
- Description
- Role: Finance Manager
Location: St Albans
Salary: £38-40k
We are looking for a Finance Team Leader to take ownership of our transactional finance function. This is a role for someone who combines genuine hands on finance capability with the confidence to support, guide and be the go to person for their colleagues. You will work closely with the Head of Finance and Management Accountant, helping to ensure the transactional side of the business runs smoothly and accurately while also contributing to process improvement and financial analysis.
This is a great opportunity for someone who likes to work with a degree of independence, takes pride in accuracy and clean financials, and wants to grow with a business that has real momentum behind it.
Key Responsibilities as Finance Manager:
Day-to-Day Ownership & Escalation;
* Act as the go to person for the Credit Controller and Finance Assistant on day-to day finance queries, complex transactions and technical questions.
* Take overall ownership of the transactional finance function, ensuring processes run smoothly, accurately and to deadline.
* Share knowledge and best practice with colleagues, supporting them to develop their skills and confidence.
* Identify and flag any process gaps or risks to the Head of Finance.
Financial Reporting & Analysis;
* Assist with month end close procedures, ensuring all transactional activity is posted accurately and on time.
* Produce ad hoc financial reports and analysis as required, including aged debt, cashflow and ledger summaries.
* Carry out reconciliations across the general ledger and bank accounts.
* Identify trends, discrepancies and areas of concern and bring these to the attention of the Head of Finance proactively.
Transactional Finance Oversight;
* Maintain overall ownership of the purchase ledger, sales ledger and banks.
* Prepare weekly and monthly payment runs, ensuring accuracy and controls are followed.
* Supporting the Credit Controller with escalated accounts and complex cases.
* Oversee bank reconciliations, ensuring unreconciled items are resolved promptly.
* Ensure credit card transactions and staff expense claims are processed and reconciled accurately.
* Carry out other reconciliations as required and assist with ad hoc financial tasks.
Systems & Process Improvement;
* Champion the effective use of Xero across the finance team, supporting team members with queries and best practice.
* Work with the Head of Finance to identify and implement improvements to financial processes and controls.
* Maintain accurate and audit ready financial records at all times.
* Support year end audit preparation, ensuring documentation and working papers are complete and organised.
Systems & Tools:
* Xero accounting software - essential; confident daily user required.
* Microsoft Excel - intermediate to advanced level required, including pivot tables and lookups.
* ConnectWise PSA/billing platform - desirable, not essential; training available for the right candidate.
Person Specification as Finance Manager:
Essential;
* Proven experience in a senior finance role, comfortable taking ownership of a function and being the go to person for colleagues.
* Strong working knowledge of purchase ledger, sales ledger, credit control and bank reconciliations.
* Comfortable producing financial reports and analysis - this is not a purely transactional role.
* Confident using Xero in a commercial environment.
* Intermediate to advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, VLOOKUP and SUMIFS.
* High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
* Strong communication skills - able to explain financial information clearly to colleagues at all levels.
* Ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload independently.
* Understanding of basic VAT rules and their application.
* AAT qualified or equivalent, or qualified by experience.
Desirable;
* Experience working in an IT services, managed services or technology business.
* Experience with ConnectWise or similar PSA.
* Experience supporting month end close.
If you feel the above Finance Manager specification matches your professional background, click apply.
