Finance Manager in London

About HB

HB is a leading independent London based creative agency that partners with some of the world's most influential B2B brands. Our mission is to craft powerful creative solutions that connect business audiences through insight-led strategy, compelling storytelling, and design excellence.

The Role

We are seeking a recently qualified Financial Accountant to oversee the company's core transactional processes — including general ledger management, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, and journal entries — while ensuring full compliance with FRS 102 and other UK GAAP standards. In this role, you will collaborate closely with operations and senior leadership teams, providing technical guidance and oversight to the Junior Management Accountant. The ideal candidate will hold ACA, ACCA, or CIMA credentials and demonstrate strong knowledge of statutory reporting, regulatory frameworks, and UK tax compliance. Beyond maintaining robust and scalable finance controls, this role offers opportunities to drive process automation, strengthen internal financial governance, and enhance management information through improved analytical reporting.

Key responsibilities

• Financial Accounting & Compliance — Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring compliance with internal controls and accounting standards. Maintain accurate financial records for the company and its subsidiaries, ensuring intercompany recharges and eliminations are properly reconciled. Review and provide guidance on work prepared by the Junior Management Accountant.
• Reporting — Lead the month-end close process and ensure all deadlines are met. Produce monthly management information, providing clear commentary and insights for non-finance stakeholders. Prepare ad-hoc analyses to support commercial and operational decision-making. Manage year-end processes, including preparation for accounts review and liaison with external accountants.
• Budgeting & Forecasting — Lead the preparation of annual budgets and periodic reforecasts. Work closely with operational teams to ensure financial plans are realistic and aligned with business objectives.
• Cash Flow & Treasury Management — Monitor cash flow across all group companies. Oversee accounts payable, including payment runs and supplier payments. Approve supplier invoices, expenses, and payment runs prepared by the Junior Management Accountant. Ensure timely client billing and support credit control activities. Resolve complex AP/AR issues and support improvements to billing and collections processes.
• Process Improvement & Controls — Use WorkBook (the agency management system) to enhance financial reporting and operational efficiency. Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and improve data accuracy. Collaborate with project managers, producers, and operational teams to ensure financial data flows correctly through the system. Support system upgrades, reporting enhancements, and process documentation.

Requirements (Must-Have)

• Newly qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Strong working knowledge of UK accounting standards and IFRS.
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in a finance or accounting role.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with modern accounting systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Requirements (Desirable)

• Experience in process improvement or systems implementation.
• Experience with Xero, WorkBook, SAP or similar systems.
• Experience in a creative, media, or agency environment (advantageous but not essential).

Diversity

HB is driven by our people. Embracing diverse perspectives and harnessing our differences to fuel creativity and innovation makes us stronger. We are committed to promoting and fostering an inclusive culture which celebrates individuality and to building a team where people from all stories, backgrounds and ages have equal opportunities to develop themselves and their careers. We prize a working environment where everyone can thrive and work alongside a diverse group of clients and partners.

Our Values and Ethos

• Taking ownership: We play our part. We always bring solutions not problems. We don't wait to be asked and we're always ready to challenge assumptions.
• Fearless experimentation: We know that to win, sometimes you must fail first. We ask questions, invite feedback, and wear ambition with pride.
• Winning together: We take time to truly listen and we're always ready to share knowledge and ideas. We are there to help each other and celebrate successes together.
• Always progressing: We encourage and inspire positive change, finding opportunities to develop ourselves and the people around us.
• Positive connections: We act collectively. We aim for empathetic relationships where we understand other's challenges and motivations.