At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis to drive business insights.
- Company: Join Artefact, a global consulting firm transforming data and AI-driven strategies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, potential for permanent role, and hands-on responsibilities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and exposure across various finance functions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working with senior leaders and innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified or qualified ACA, ACCA, CIMA with 3-4 years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Artefact is a global consulting and technology company that helps organisations accelerate data and AI-driven transformation. In the UK, we work with leading clients across industries, supported by a strong senior leadership team and a growing market presence. We’re looking for a high-potential Finance Manager to take real ownership of the day-to-day running of our UK Finance function.
Responsibilities:
- Own management reporting, budgeting, forecasting and supporting analysis, explaining movements and identifying forward-looking risks and opportunities.
- Analyse and challenge revenue, gross margin, staffing, pipeline, contract status, unbilled work and profitability, turning financial information into clear insights and recommendations.
- Be the day-to-day point of contact and first review layer for the Accounts team, coordinating priorities, reviewing outputs and resolving first-line queries.
- Coordinate and review month-end, year-end, audit, routine tax and other recurring Finance processes, including journals, reconciliations, intercompany and payroll-related accounting, working with the Accounts team and external advisers to ensure outputs are complete, accurate and delivered on time.
- Oversee cash flow, working capital, customer invoicing, aged debtors, supplier payments, payment runs and routine banking matters including KYC and mandates.
- Own and improve key Finance systems and reporting tools, including Salesforce, Everwin, Sage and Finance dashboards, ensuring data is accurate, consistent and useful for decision-making.
- Identify and drive opportunities to improve Finance processes, controls and ways of working through better process design, automation and technology, including effective use of AI tools where appropriate.
- Take routine Finance matters through to resolution using judgement and initiative. Material or strategic issues should be escalated with a clear assessment and recommendation.
- Take on additional Finance responsibilities and projects as the needs of the business and Finance function evolve.
- Identify areas for improvement and proactively progressively take ownership of a wider range of Finance activities.
Requirements:
- Part-qualified or qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or equivalent practical experience, with around 3 to 4 years' relevant experience in accounting, audit, FP&A, commercial Finance or a similar area.
- Strong accounting fundamentals and advanced Excel / Google Sheets skills.
- Proactive and comfortable being given an objective rather than a checklist: you identify what needs doing, decide how best to approach it and take work through to completion.
- Analytical and commercially curious, adept at explaining what the numbers mean, not simply producing them.
- Comfortable getting into the detail and solving problems you may not have encountered before.
- Able to work at pace, manage competing priorities and reprioritise quickly as business needs change, while continuing to progress work where there is no externally imposed deadline.
- A clear communicator who is comfortable working with both junior colleagues and senior stakeholders.
- Comfortable learning new systems and interested in using automation, AI and technology-enabled Finance to improve how work is done.
- We are looking for potential, mindset and learning ability, rather than someone who has already performed every aspect of the role.
Desirable:
- Experience coordinating or reviewing the work of a small team is useful, but formal people-management experience is not required.
Conditions:
- This is a 4-month FTC, with the clear intention of moving to a permanent role where there is a strong mutual fit.
- We will review permanent conversion during the contract, and we are open to converting early where the fit and performance are clear.
- The successful candidate will be given meaningful responsibility from the outset rather than being treated as short-term support during the fixed-term period.
- Broad exposure across accounting, FP&A, commercial Finance, forecasting, cash management, systems, process improvement and business partnering.
- Close working with the Head of Finance and senior management.
Finance manager in consulting employer: Artefact
Artefact is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid working environment that fosters collaboration between our London and Cornwall offices. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive learning opportunities, generous annual leave, and unique benefits like a birthday day off and subsidised gym memberships, all while being part of a diverse team dedicated to transforming data into impactful business solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance manager in consulting
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Artefact.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Artefact might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance manager in consulting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Artefact will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Artefact. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Artefact confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Artefact
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Artefact.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Artefact that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
