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- Tasks: Lead month-end close, manage financial reporting, and mentor a small team.
- Company: Join a thriving retail business in Oxfordshire with a strong growth trajectory.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, bonuses, and product allowances.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performing team in a vibrant office, making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA) with financial accounting experience.
- Other info: Ideal for those transitioning from practice to industry or with relevant industry experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Stanton House are excited to be partnering with a household Retail business in Oxfordshire who are looking to hire a Finance Manager into their established Finance team. You will join a high performing team and take ownership of the month end close and reporting cycle, review of the monthly profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, cash flows and capex spend across multiple entities. You will lead a small team, lead the audit and compliance for the business, as well as being the technical accounting contact for any business initiatives when required. As part of this role you will also have the opportunity to support with the budgeting and forecasting process.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing business that has experienced their best ever trading years over the last two years, and continue to grow both internationally and in the UK. They offer a hybrid working model with 3 days a week in a vibrant and stylish office in Oxfordshire, easily commutable from Reading and surrounding areas.
This role is well suited to an ACA qualified accountant looking for a first move out of practice into industry or someone who already has some industry experience in a financial accounting role.
How you'll make an impact:- Ownership of month end close and reporting cycle.
- Management and review of the monthly profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, cash flows and Capex spend for all three entities.
- Balance sheet control and reconciliations.
- Cost reviews post month end - investigating variances, and ensuring spend is controlled in line with company objectives.
- Champion risk & process improvement – monitor financial risks, analyse control breaches/root causes, and partner with IT to automate, streamline, and continuously improve end-to-end finance workflows.
- Lead on the internal control framework - segregation of duties, approvals and system access.
- Support the preparation of the monthly board pack.
- Provide day-to-day guidance and mentoring to two junior management accountants, supporting their technical development and ownership of month-end, reconciliations, and reporting tasks.
- Oversee timely VAT, Statutory and ONS submissions.
- Lead Audit and compliance - act as primary contact for external auditors, remediate findings, and ensure ongoing compliance with tax and regulatory requirements.
- Lead on tax compliance reporting, with support from external tax advisory.
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA).
- Retail or FMCG sector experience would be advantageous.
- If you are working in industry, you will need to have at least 2-3 years financial accounting experience.
- Ability to coach and develop a small team.
- Experience in working with and influencing stakeholders across and outside the organisation, often making the complex simple.
- Ability to work at pace and able to prioritise accordingly.
Due to high volumes of applications, we will not be able to respond to every unsuccessful applicant with feedback.
Contact Detail:
Stanton House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the retail and FMCG sectors, as this experience is advantageous for the Finance Manager role. Research current trends and challenges in these industries to demonstrate your understanding during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience with month-end close processes and financial reporting. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed these tasks in previous roles, as this will showcase your capability to take ownership in the new position.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your leadership skills and experience in mentoring junior accountants. Think of instances where you successfully guided a team through complex financial tasks, as this will be crucial for the role's responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your ability to work with stakeholders by preparing examples of how you've influenced decisions or simplified complex financial information for non-financial colleagues. This skill is essential for the collaborative environment at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial accounting, particularly in the retail or FMCG sector. Emphasise your qualifications (ACA/ACCA) and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage month-end processes, lead audits, and mentor junior staff.
Highlight Key Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that relate to financial reporting, compliance, and process improvement. This could be successful projects or initiatives you led that resulted in cost savings or efficiency gains.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Finance Manager role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stanton House
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll be expected to have a strong grasp of financial metrics. Be prepared to discuss your experience with month-end close processes, profit and loss accounts, and balance sheets. Brush up on key financial concepts and be ready to provide examples from your past roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a small team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare to share specific instances where you've mentored or guided junior staff, and how you’ve managed team dynamics to achieve financial goals.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the retail sector and the specific challenges it faces. Research the company’s recent performance and growth strategies. This will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their ongoing success and align with their objectives.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the emphasis on audit and compliance in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with regulatory requirements and internal controls. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated compliance issues or improved financial processes.
