At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team, manage month-end processes, and drive financial insights.
- Company: Professional services company in Central London with a focus on shared services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in finance transformation.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in leading finance functions.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an experienced Senior Finance Manager or Financial Controller to oversee and elevate the Shared Services finance function for a professional services company.
You will take ownership of the month-end close process, be hands-on and into the detail, while also managing and guiding the team of 6 to deliver accurate, timely, and high-quality outputs.
In this role, you will lead a multi-disciplinary finance team, ensuring they are fully cross-trained to provide seamless cover during periods of absence. You will implement structured personal development plans, support career progression, and build a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
A key part of your remit will be to act as the primary finance business partner for companies across the group. You will build strong relationships with stakeholders, provide clear financial insight, and ensure the Shared Services team is recognised as a trusted, high-performing partner.
Your responsibilities include:
- Team management: Manage a team of 6 including P2P, expenses and management accounts. Drive development and establish cross-training.
- Financial reporting and month-end: Lead the month-end close process, provide hands-on support during peak periods, resolve high-level queries, and ensure compliance with HMRC requirements, including corporation tax and VAT deadlines.
- Work with Group: Own shared services P&L reporting and commentary for Group FC and CFO. Support the Group FC in delivering audit requirements and timelines.
- Business Partnering: Act as a key business-facing contact for Finance Managers and Financial Controllers across multiple companies. Hold regular P&L and balance sheet review meetings. Provide insights, metrics, and constructively challenge stakeholders.
- Projects: Drive process improvement, support the implementation of AI and technology-enabled finance solutions, promote a continuous improvement culture across the function, and ensure finance processes are scalable and aligned across the group.
Skills and experience required:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Proven experience leading a shared services or central finance function.
- Strong month-end and financial reporting experience with the ability to balance hands-on delivery and oversight.
- Experience managing and developing teams.
- Exposure and enthusiasm for process improvement, automation and finance transformation initiatives.
Senior Finance Manager - Shared Services in London employer: Trace
As a Senior Finance Manager in our Central London office, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer competitive salaries, structured personal development plans, and a commitment to continuous learning, ensuring that you not only excel in your role but also advance your career within a high-performing team. Join us to be part of a professional services company that values accountability, innovation, and strong stakeholder relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Shared Services in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in shared services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your business partnering skills. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships and provided financial insights in previous roles. We want to see that you can connect with stakeholders!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! Think about examples where you've managed teams effectively, driven development, and fostered a culture of accountability. We love to see candidates who can inspire their teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals who are passionate about finance and process improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager - Shared Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Finance Manager. Highlight your experience in team management, month-end processes, and business partnering. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on leadership role. Share specific examples of how you've driven process improvements or managed teams effectively.
Showcase Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. We’re looking for someone who’s fully qualified and has proven experience in leading finance functions, so make that clear in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trace
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior 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 month-end processes in the past. Be specific about your contributions and the outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role involves managing a team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've developed team members and fostered a culture of accountability and continuous learning. Highlight any structured development plans you've implemented.
✨Build Relationships
Since business partnering is crucial, think about how you’ve built strong relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. Prepare to discuss specific instances where your financial insights influenced decision-making or improved collaboration across teams.
✨Embrace Change and Innovation
With a focus on process improvement and technology, be ready to discuss your experience with finance transformation initiatives. Talk about any AI or automation projects you've been involved in and how they enhanced efficiency within your team or organisation.
