Finance Manager – Wanstead London

• Job Title

  Finance Manager – Wanstead London
• Location

  THP Wanstead
• Salary

  Competitive
• Job Type

  Full time (37.5 hours)

Finance Manager – Wanstead London

(Important note:- Direct applications only are invited. Recruitment Agency approaches or CVs from agencies will NOT be considered) 

Working full time from our head office in Wanstead London, our Finance Manager will oversee the internal finance function of our Chartered Accountancy firm with a turnover of approximately £4m and around 40 employees.

Managing one Finance Administrator, this hands-on role is responsible for accurate financial reporting, strong financial controls, and efficient day-to-day finance operations. The position suits an experienced, practical finance professional who is confident taking ownership of the finance function within a small team.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Produce monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet reconciliations, and cashflow updates.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure timely month end close.
• Prepare year end schedules and support the Managing Director with statutory accounts.
• Support the budgeting process and provide straightforward variance analysis to directors.
• Oversee routine financial reporting requirements.

Cashflow & Working Capital

• Monitor cashflow on a weekly and monthly basis, escalating issues promptly.
• Oversee billing, credit control, and debtor management to ensure timely cash collection, liaising with Client Directors and Managers on client matters.
• Process supplier invoices and prepare payment runs, including direct debits.
• Maintain effective relationships with banks and key suppliers.

Financial Controls & Compliance

• Ensure strong financial controls across reconciliations, approvals, and record-keeping.
• Prepare VAT returns, payroll inputs, and other routine compliance tasks, with internal support from colleagues where required.
• Maintain up-to-date financial policies and ensure the firm meets all HMRC deadlines.

Purchase Ledger Management

• Process supplier invoices accurately and in a timely manner.
• Match invoices to purchase orders where applicable.
• Maintain supplier records and ensure correct coding of costs.
• Prepare supplier payment runs and respond to supplier queries.

Team Leadership & Support

• Line-manage the Finance Administrator, providing day-to-day guidance, support, and oversight and cover their role when absent.
• Oversee transactional finance activities and step in when needed.
• Promote accuracy, efficiency, and good communication within the finance function.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and improve the accounting system and related processes.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, automate routine tasks, and improve reporting.
• Support finance related system upgrades or process changes.

Business Support

• Provide directors with clear, concise financial information to support operational decisions.
• Assist with simple financial modelling or scenario planning when required.
• Support pricing, cost tracking, and basic profitability analysis across the firm.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Part-qualified or newly qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or qualified by experience with strong SME finance experience.
• Solid experience producing management accounts, cashflow control, and month end reporting.
• Hands on approach suited to a small finance team.
• Good understanding of financial controls, reconciliations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong Excel skills, including VLOOKUP and experience with Xero accounting software.
• Confident communicator able to work effectively with directors and non finance staff.
• Experience overseeing or mentoring junior finance staff.

Desirable

• Experience in a professional services environment (accountancy, legal, consultancy, etc.).
• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and basic financial modelling.
• Experience improving processes or implementing new systems.
• Familiarity with accounting practice software (IRIS).

Personal Attributes

• Pragmatic, organised, and comfortable managing both operational and reporting tasks.
• Willing to take ownership of day-to-day finance activity and work flexibly.
• Strong attention to detail with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Professional, discreet, and able to build trust across the firm and with colleagues and directors.
• Keen to grow and develop as the business evolves.

Success Indicators

• Accurate and timely month-end reporting, with management accounts consistently delivered to agreed deadlines and with minimal corrections required.
• Strong cashflow management, demonstrated through reliable forecasting, proactive issue spotting, and healthy debtor performance.
• Robust financial controls, evidenced by clean reconciliations, compliance with HMRC deadlines, and reduced errors in transactional processing.
• Efficient team oversight, with the Finance Administrator well supported, tasks clearly delegated, and workflow running smoothly.
• Improved processes and systems, shown through streamlined routines, better use of accounting software, and measurable gains in efficiency or accuracy.