At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage day-to-day bookkeeping and produce monthly management accounts for a growing global brand.
- Company: Join Original Duckhead, a dynamic London-based umbrella brand with international reach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and the chance to shape financial operations.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a small, ambitious team where your contributions matter.
- Why this job: Play a key role in enhancing financial visibility and control in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with retail or e-commerce finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
Location: Clapham, London (office-based)
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £50,000 depending on experience
Reports to: CEO
Start date: ASAP
Build the finance backbone of a growing global brand. Original Duckhead is a London-based umbrella brand selling across wholesale and D2C, with customers and partners across the UK, Europe, the US, and other international markets. We are hiring a hands-on Finance Manager to bring order, clarity, and control to our finance function. This is not an oversight role. You will be in the detail, owning day-to-day bookkeeping in-house, producing monthly management accounts, managing UK VAT, maintaining a rolling cash flow forecast, and improving the quality and usability of our reporting. You will work closely with the CEO and external accountants and play a key role in building financial discipline across the business.
Why this role matters
This role is critical to improving visibility, control, and reporting quality. The goal is a finance function that gives clear insight into cash, costs, margin, and performance across channels, markets, and major areas of spend.
What you will own
- Bookkeeping and finance operations
- Own day-to-day bookkeeping in Xero
- Maintain accurate records across GBP, EUR, and USD accounts
- Reconcile bank accounts, payment platforms, and control accounts
- Post journals, accruals, prepayments, and month-end adjustments
- Own accounts payable and accounts receivable
- Own credit control and maintain visibility on aged debt
- Management accounts and reporting
- Prepare monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
- Deliver variance analysis and clear commentary to the CEO
- Build meaningful cost centre reporting, improve visibility on channel performance, margin, and overheads
- Create reporting that highlights profitability drivers, including major projects and trade shows where relevant
- Cash flow and financial control
- Maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast
- Track key cash commitments and upcoming outflows
- Improve visibility on receivables, payables, VAT, payroll, and major costs
- Strengthen financial control and reporting discipline across the business
- VAT and accountant coordination
- Own UK VAT returns and filings
- Prepare clean finance data for external accountants and advisors
- Coordinate with external accountants on EU VAT, US sales tax and year-end requirements where needed
- Maintain accurate multi-currency reporting and organised underlying data for compliance support
- Systems and process improvement
- Improve the structure and cleanliness of Xero over time
- Help create consistent reporting across Xero, Cin7, Shopify, Stripe, Faire, and related systems
- Reduce manual errors and improve processes through simple, practical improvements
What we are looking for
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or equivalent)
- Experience in a hands-on finance role in a retail, wholesale, consumer goods, or e-commerce business
- Experience working across multiple markets and currencies
- Strong bookkeeping and management accounts experience
- Strong understanding of accruals, prepayments, journals, reconciliations, and month-end close
- Experience owning UK VAT; experience working with external accountants and tax advisors
- Exposure to EU VAT and US sales tax or nexus coordination
- Strong attention to detail and strong organisational discipline
- Commercial understanding of costs, margin, and reporting
- Comfortable working in a small, ambitious business where ownership matters
What success looks like
Within the first few months:
- Bookkeeping is accurate and fully run in-house
- Monthly management accounts are clean and on time
- Reconciliations are up to date and reliable
- UK VAT is owned internally and filed correctly
- The 13-week cash flow forecast is live and maintained
- Cost centres are clear and useful
- The CEO has materially better visibility on cash, costs, and performance
- External accountants receive organised, reliable data
Finance Manager employer: Original Duckhead
Original Duckhead is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Clapham, London, where you can play a pivotal role in shaping the financial backbone of a growing global brand. With a focus on employee growth and development, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, providing opportunities for hands-on involvement in finance operations and strategic decision-making. Join us to enjoy competitive salary packages, a supportive team atmosphere, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a thriving business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Finance Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding of financial reporting. Be ready to discuss your experience with bookkeeping, VAT, and cash flow management. Show them you’re not just a number cruncher but someone who can bring clarity and control to their finance function.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight specific examples of how you’ve improved financial processes or reporting in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so let your successes shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Original Duckhead. Let’s make that finance backbone stronger together!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience with bookkeeping, management accounts, and VAT, as these are key areas we’re looking for. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in a retail or e-commerce environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you’re passionate about finance and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience and how you can bring clarity and control to our finance function.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail:In finance, attention to detail is crucial. Use your application to demonstrate this quality. Whether it’s through precise figures in your CV or clear, concise language in your cover letter, show us that you can maintain accuracy in all aspects of your work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and keen to join our team at Original Duckhead!
How to prepare for a job interview at Original Duckhead
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed cash flow, reconciled accounts, and prepared management accounts in previous roles. Show them you can handle the detail!
✨Showcase Your Systems Savvy
Familiarise yourself with Xero and any other relevant systems mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss how you've improved processes or reporting in past positions. This will show that you're not just about the numbers but also about efficiency and accuracy.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific financial challenges, like managing VAT returns or improving cash flow forecasts. Think of examples from your experience where you've successfully navigated similar situations and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research Original Duckhead and its market position. Understand their business model, especially in wholesale and D2C. Being able to relate your financial expertise to their specific needs will set you apart and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
