Job Description
A high-growth AI software business is looking to hire a Finance Operations & Systems Lead to help build a lean, highly automated finance function. Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a hands-on role spanning month-end, finance systems, automation, treasury, quote-to-cash and operational finance.
The business has recently implemented a new AI-native ERP and is now at the point of turning a new system into a reliable, scalable finance operating model.
You will have genuine ownership of how finance runs day to day, including the tools, workflows and automations that support it.
Duties
- Own month-end close end to end, including management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations, accruals and prepayments.
- Build reliable, automated finance processes and reduce manual work across the function.
- Own the finance systems roadmap and help the business get the most from its new ERP and wider finance stack.
- Lead operational finance across UK and US entities, working with external specialists where appropriate.
- Maintain daily cash visibility, cash forecasting and working capital oversight.
- Own quote-to-cash from CRM through invoicing, deferred revenue and collections, with strong controls over data entering the ledger.
- Create a clean actuals layer that feeds management and board reporting with minimal manual preparation.
- Support fundraise and diligence readiness by keeping finance data accurate, reconciled and accessible.
- Support first-pass revenue recognition, equity accounting, audit preparation and share scheme administration.
- Over time, broaden into FP&A, budgeting, business partnering and commercial analysis as the core finance operation becomes increasingly automated.
Ideal candidate profile
- Strong hands-on experience owning month-end close, management accounts and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Around 3-5 years' finance experience, ideally from accounting outsourcing/practice or an in-house startup/scale-up finance environment.
- Part-qualified or qualified ACCA, CIMA or ACA, or equivalent practical experience.
- Real ERP experience, ideally including implementation, optimisation or process redesign.
- A genuine automation mindset. You should enjoy building workflows, not simply using finance systems.
- Comfortable using no-code automation tools and able to work with more technical solutions when required.
- Good working knowledge of payroll and core UK finance compliance, with enough judgement to spot when something does not look right.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced environment where ownership is broad and problems do not always sit neatly within one function.
- Useful additional experience includes SaaS revenue recognition, equity accounting, CRM-to-ERP integration, SQL/Python, multi-entity consolidation and FX.
Package
- Up to £85,000 base salary.
- Share options.
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
- Pension and life cover at 4x salary.
- Optional private health and dental cover.
- Learning and development budget.
- Cycle to work scheme, work-abroad days, referral bonus, team outings and access to an on-site gym.
- West London office with flexibility to work from home 2 days per week.
Finance Operations & System Lead in London employer: Absolute Recruit
Join a high-growth, award-winning global human insights and market research business in London, where you'll thrive in a collaborative and creative environment. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful qualitative research projects for major global brands while enjoying an excellent benefits package and flexible working arrangements. This role not only offers direct client exposure but also fosters a culture of inclusivity and innovation, making it an ideal place for ambitious researchers looking to grow their careers.
