Finance Manager in Cambridge

About the Company

Quell is a British defence and security AI technology start-up developing solutions to counter drone, vehicle, and human threats across the military, civilian and critical national infrastructure sectors.

About the role

We are looking for a proactive, hands-on Finance Manager to take ownership of the day-to/day finance function within our growing business.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in developing and maintaining the financial processes, systems and controls that will support the company’s continued growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the underlying accounting is accurate, timely and well controlled, while leading the preparation of the month-end accounts and providing reliable financial information to the CFO.

The role will suit an organised and commercially aware finance professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, evolving environment, is comfortable operating independently and takes pride in getting the detail right.

As a growing business, we need someone who is happy to be hands-on with the day-to-day accounting while also taking ownership of improving processes, strengthening controls and developing the finance function as the company scales.

Key responsibilities

Day-to-day financial management

• Take ownership of the day-to-day finance function, ensuring transactions are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Oversee purchase ledger, sales ledger, supplier payments, customer receipts, expenses and bank reconciliations.
• Manage accounts payable and receivable, ensuring suppliers are paid appropriately and customer balances are monitored.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure transactions are correctly coded and recorded.
• Manage the weekly payment process, ensuring appropriate supporting documentation, authorisation and controls are in place.
• Monitor outstanding invoices, resolve queries and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and customers.
• Maintain cash book records and support day-to-day cash management.

Month-end accounting and reporting preparation

• Own and manage the month-end close process, ensuring deadlines are consistently met.
• Prepare the monthly accounts and supporting schedules for review by the CFO.
• Prepare and post journals, accruals, prepayments and other month-end adjustments.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Reconcile key control accounts, intercompany balances and other relevant accounts.
• Ensure accounting records are complete and accurate before information is passed to the CFO for review and reporting.
• Maintain a clear month-end timetable and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of the close process.
• Work closely with the CFO to resolve queries and provide supporting information for management reporting and financial analysis.

Cash flow and financial controls

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date cash flow information and short-term cash forecasts.
• Monitor cash balances, upcoming receipts, supplier payments and other financial commitments.
• Support the CFO with cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
• Establish and maintain appropriate financial controls, approval processes and accounting procedures.
• Identify discrepancies, risks or weaknesses in existing processes and recommend practical improvements.
• Ensure financial transactions are supported by appropriate documentation and approvals.

Compliance and external advisers

• Coordinate the preparation of VAT returns and other routine financial submissions, ensuring information is accurate and submitted on time.
• Support payroll processing and ensure payroll information is accurately reflected in the accounts.
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors and tax advisers, providing accurate records and supporting schedules as required.
• Assist with the preparation of statutory accounts, audit requirements and other compliance-related information.
• Maintain appropriate financial records and ensure accounting processes comply with relevant policies and requirements.

Systems, processes and continuous improvement

• Develop, document and maintain effective finance procedures as the business grows.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting systems, automate routine processes and reduce manual work.
• Ensure finance systems and records are maintained accurately and consistently.
• Establish clear processes for invoicing, expenses, payments, reconciliations and month-end accounting.
• Help build a scalable finance function that can support increasing transaction volumes and business complexity.
• Take ownership of finance-related queries and work collaboratively with colleagues across the business to resolve them.

Working with the CFO and wider business

• Work closely with the CFO to ensure accurate and timely financial information is available for management decision-making.
• Provide the underlying accounting information, reconciliations and supporting schedules required for monthly reporting.
• Investigate accounting queries and explain discrepancies or unusual transactions.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning by preparing relevant data and analysis.
• Work collaboratively with operational teams to improve financial processes and promote accountability for expenditure.
• Take responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the day-to-day accounting function, escalating material issues and risks to the CFO.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Experience in a hands-on finance or accounting role, with responsibility for day-to-day accounting activities.
• Strong understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and core accounting principles.
• Experience preparing month-end accounts, journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ability to manage a finance workload independently and meet reporting deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate financial records.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Confident using accounting software and Excel.
• A practical, proactive approach to identifying problems and improving processes.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with both finance and non-finance colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience working in a start-up, SME or other growing business.
• Experience establishing or improving finance processes and controls.
• Experience with cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
• Familiarity with VAT, payroll processes and statutory reporting requirements.
• Experience working with external accountants and auditors.
• AAT, ACCA or CIMA qualification, part-qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Personal attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Hands-on: happy to manage the detail and carry out accounting tasks personally rather than simply oversee others.
• Accountable: takes ownership of the accuracy and timeliness of the finance function.
• Proactive: anticipates issues, follows things through and looks for ways to improve processes.
• Organised: able to manage deadlines and maintain reliable financial records.
• Adaptable: comfortable working in a growing business where processes and priorities may evolve.
• Collaborative: works effectively with the CFO, the wider team and external advisers.
• Commercially minded: understands how good financial management supports the wider business.

What success looks like

• A reliable, accurate and timely month-end close.
• Well-maintained accounting records and reconciliations.
• Effective control over supplier payments, customer receipts and financial transactions.
• Clear, up-to-date cash flow information.
• Robust, documented finance processes that can scale with the business.
• Timely and accurate supporting information for the CFO’s management reporting and financial analysis.
• A well-organised finance function that operates effectively with appropriate levels of independence.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of the finance function within a growing business, working closely with the CFO and helping establish the foundations for the company’s next stage of development.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape how finance operates, improve systems and processes, and develop their role as the business grows.

Details

• Location: North Uttlesford / Greater Cambridge area, on-site
• Five days a week on-site (ie: this is not a hybrid role)
• Full UK driving licence (Category B) required. If this isn't held, candidates will need to commit to obtaining within 6 months of their start date
• Applicants must be fully eligible to work in the UK without restriction, time limit, or the need for current or future sponsorship.