Finance Manager in Kings Langley

WJ is the UK's leading water management specialist – the partner and contractor of choice for major construction and infrastructure programmes.

Founded by academics and evolved through expertise, we apply scientific principles to solve complex water challenges: over 40 years' experience and 4,000+ projects worldwide, including the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the London Olympic Park, Crossrail, Tideway, HS2 and currently Sizewell C.

Our expanding service lines span dewatering & groundwater control, water treatment, surface water management, I&M, pumping tests, well drilling and professional services, grounded in engineering and delivered in partnership.

Our values of Confidence, Pride, Clarity & Integrity, and Independence guide every decision we make.

About the Role

Key role objective The post holder will lead the day-to-day work of the UK accounts team, based at the UK head office and supported by WJ e DOC financial team colleagues based in the Philippines, ensuring the accurate and timely production of the Company’s financial information and its integration into the Group’s financial reporting.

The UK Finance Manager will produce the monthly financial report for the UK Finance Meeting, in the format agreed from time to time by that meeting, together with any additional reports required by the Managing Director or Group Finance Manager.

Responsibilities

• Reports to
• Managing Director (Line Manager); Group CFO (functional reporting line)
• Direct Reports
• Payroll and Finance Assistant
• Key relationships
• Works closely with the Group CFO and the Group Finance Manager
• Works closely with WJ’s e DOC back-office financial support via Senior Accounting Officers
• UK’s Managing Director, Commercial Team, Sales Team, Technical Team, Operations Team Managers and HR Team.
• UK Clients, Suppliers, Subcontractors Financial teams
• Key areas of responsibility
• Financial Accounting and Reporting
• Prepare the Company’s monthly financial accounts to Trial Balance level.
• Prepare all monthly Finance Meeting reports, highlighting variances, risks and opportunities.
• Carry out the monthly Balance Sheet review and reconciliation of control accounts.
• Prepare and post monthly and ad-hoc journals.
• Analyse overheads and monthly project costs, supporting cost control across the business.
• Review monthly cost value reconciliations (CVRs) for each contract prepared by the Managing QS, reviewing work in progress, accruals, cost-to-complete and margin recognition with the Managing QS and Project Managers.
• Maintain the fixed asset register.
• Produce the annual and interim budgets and regular forecasts.
• Provide commercial finance support to the Managing Director, Sales Team and Managing QS, including review of tender pricing, margins and contract payment terms.
• Lead the annual audit, working with the Company’s external auditors to produce the statutory financial statements.
• Contracts, Sales and Credit Control
• Ensure valuations, invoices and receipts are posted accurately and promptly.
• Working with the Managing QS track applications for payment, variations and retentions, ensuring retentions are recovered when due.
• Prepare the forward-looking rolling sales forecast.
• Oversee credit control and the management of debtors, including credit checks and credit limits for new and existing clients.
• Oversee the purchase ledger and supplier and subcontractor payment runs, including CIS verification, in line with the Company's authorisation limits.
• Cash and Treasury
• Review bank balances and cashflow daily and prepare the monthly rolling cashflow forecast.
• Supervise bank account reconciliations.
• Review and co-ordinate the Company’s cash position with the Group Finance Manager.
• Maintain the Company’s insurance policies, leasing, hire-purchase and other loan commitments, in co-operation with the Group Finance Manager.
• Manage bank mandates, performance bonds, guarantees and other banking facilities, in co-operation with Group Finance arrangements.
• Tax and Compliance
• Review and finalise the monthly payroll, including payments to staff and HMRC.
• Complete the monthly VAT and CIS returns, Corporation Tax quarterly payments and Office for National Statistics returns accurately and on time.
• Complete the Bi-monthly Irish VAT Returns.
• Ensure the Company complies with the Group’s accounting and financial policies and internal controls, including authorisation limits and segregation of duties.
• Oversee pension auto-enrolment, P11D and expenses compliance, Companies House filings and support for Senior Accounting Officer and transfer pricing requirements.
• Manage the UK Finance team (inc. e DOC back office financial support teams), including recruitment, training and annual reviews.
• Plan and organise the team’s workload to ensure month-end, audit and statutory deadlines are met.
• Support colleagues across the business with accounts queries.
• Maintain daily communication with the Group Finance Manager and the Group CFO, keeping Group Finance informed of the Company’s trading, cash position and any emerging issues.
• Deliver the Company’s monthly results and reporting packs to Group deadlines, in the format required for consolidation.
• Agree and reconcile intercompany balances each month, including Group Support and Services charges.
• Support Group-wide finance projects as required, including the implementation of the new accounting system.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong knowledge of management accounts, year-end and audit processes, and UK VAT (including domestic reverse charge), Corporation Tax, CIS, PAYE and payroll, and FRS 102 reporting
• At least five years’ experience as a Finance Manager or in an equivalent role.
• Experience of reporting within a group structure, including consolidation packs, intercompany reconciliations and Group deadlines.
• Proven experience of managing and developing a finance team, including remote or offshore team members.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with up-to-date CPD
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word and Power Point), with advanced Excel skills, and in the use of AI tools such as Claude
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Organised, with the ability to prioritise and plan own workload and that of the team, and to work to deadlines
• Flexible approach to hours to ensure deadlines are met
• Knowledge of Sage accounting systems
• Experience in construction, contracting or plant hire, including CVRs, retentions and applications for payment
• Experience of implementing or migrating to a new accounting system
• Working Conditions
• Full-time position based at WJ’s UK Head Office (Kings Langley).
• Hours are 08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day.
• Uphold WJ’s values and commitment to safety, quality and environmental performance.
• Promote continuous improvement and a positive, ethical culture of financial integrity across the business.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role’s seniority and finance function.