At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function, manage month-end close, and produce strategic financial reports.
- Company: Fast-growing eCommerce brand in health and beauty with a strong customer base.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, year-end bonus, hybrid working, and leadership opportunities.
- Other info: Join a company scaling rapidly across UK and US markets.
- Why this job: Shape a young finance team and make impactful decisions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Ecommerce accounting experience and expertise in A2X, Dext, and Xero required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Besque is a fast growing ecommerce brand in the health and beauty space, built on natural, traditional formulations rooted in Eastern heritage.
Our products are formulated and made in the UK and shipped worldwide.
We have served over 500,000 customers, hold a 5 star Trustpilot rating from more than 10,000 reviews, and are scaling quickly across our UK and US operations.
Growth is the priority this year, and we need a finance function that can keep pace with it.
The Role
We are looking for a Finance Manager to lead the finance function at Besque.
This is a hands on controllership role with real ownership: you will run month end, own the numbers end to end, and build the reporting the founder and advisors rely on to make decisions.
You will report directly to the Financial Director &CFO, with opportunities to present to the full C-Suite, and you will lead a young and growing finance team: an assistant finance manager and an accounts assistant, with scope to shape and expand the team as the business scales.
Key Responsibilities
- Month End Ownership and Financial Controllership
- Own the month end close end to end, delivering an accurate P&L and balance sheet within 5 to 7 days of month end, delivering a set of management accounts as part of the month end close.
- Take full controllership of the ledger: COGS, product costing and inventory valuation, accruals, prepayments, VAT treatment and balance sheet integrity.
- Design and embed standard operating procedures and internal controls across all financial record keeping, including balance sheet reviews.
- Work closely with the Finance Director on ad hoc special projects e. g. Improving inventory reporting through IMS implementation.
- Group Accounting Across UK and US Entities
- Own group accounting and consolidation across the UK and US entities
- Ensure balance sheet integrity and validate numbers that the team can stand over
- Manage intercompany transactions, eliminations and multi currency translation, bearing in mind our transfer pricing policies
- Ensure financial reporting compliance under both GAAP and IFRS
- Strategic and Management Reporting
- Produce the monthly management pack: P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and variance analysis with clear commentary
- Provide inputs into strategic packs for the founder, advisors and external stakeholders
- Cash Flow and Treasury
- Prepare payment runs for approval and manage the AP cycle
- Manage working capital and the cash conversion cycle, with particular focus on stock investment ahead of growth
- Tax and Compliance
- Prepare and file VAT returns
- Manage corporate tax filings and statutory reporting across both entities
- Prepare the business for its first audit
- Leadership and Team Development
- Lead, mentor and review the work of a young and growing team: an assistant finance manager and an accounts assistant
- Own the development of juniors, setting objectives, coaching them through technical work and supporting study where relevant
- Set the standard for accuracy, documentation and turnaround across the function
- Shape the structure of the team as the business grows, including scoping and hiring future roles
- What You Will Need
- Ecommerce accounting experience is required. You must have worked in or for a direct to consumer ecommerce business and understand how the numbers behave.
- Expertise in A2X, Dext and Xero is mandatory. You should be able to own, configure and troubleshoot this stack without support. Experience with Shopify and Syft is a strong plus.
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- At least 4-5 years of relevant experience, including full ownership of a month end close
- Proven track record of closing the books quickly and accurately, ideally within a 5 to 7 day window
- Multi entity, consolidation and multi currency accounting experience
- Working knowledge of GAAP and IFRS reporting requirements
- Advanced Excel skills
- Expert communicator and articulator
- Bonus
- Experience taking a business through audit, or working closely with external auditors
- UK VAT and US sales tax experience across cross border ecommerce
- Familiarity with AI or automation tooling for anomaly detection and forecasting
- Experience building or rebuilding a finance function, or leading significant process improvement
- Experience with end-to-end processes, including record-to-report, and procure-to-pay (includingproduct costing and inventory valuation)
- Holistic operator who thinks ahead and assesses second & third order consequences
- The Person
We want an expert voice, not someone who toes the line.
You should be detail oriented enough to catch a single wrong entry, and commercial enough to explain why it matters.
You will be expected to challenge assumptions, including ours, and to bring a point of view to the table.
Package and Working Arrangements
- Salary of £60,000 to £75,000 depending on experience
- Year end bonus of 10 to 20%
- Hybrid - Office in Bingley & Remote
- Office and warehouse in Bingley. Ad hoc team meetings are expected
- A genuine leadership opportunity: full ownership of a young finance team you will develop and grow
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Finance Manager - eCommerce - Remote in Leeds employer: Besque
At Besque, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and rapidly growing eCommerce brand in the health and beauty sector, offering our employees a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a hands-on finance role. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, with ample opportunities for professional growth as you lead and mentor a young finance team while contributing to our ambitious scaling plans. With a competitive salary, year-end bonuses, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements, Besque is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager - eCommerce - Remote in Leeds
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Besque. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager - eCommerce - Remote in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Besque.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Besque's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Besque
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Besque.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Besque will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Besque employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
