Finance Manager

This is a standalone finance role with end-to-end responsibility for the UK entity's financial operations. As the business grows, this role will have the opportunity to build and lead a team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Take full ownership of the UK entity's financial records and general ledger
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual management accounts for group reporting
• Manage the year-end statutory audit process, acting as the primary point of contact for external auditors
• Ensure all financial reporting complies with relevant UK accounting standards
• Support the group consolidation process with accurate and timely reporting to the Hong Kong headquarters

Taxation & Compliance

• Oversee all UK tax compliance matters, including Corporation Tax, VAT returns, CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) reporting, and PAYE/P11D/year-end reporting obligations
• Liaise with external tax advisors on tax planning and risk management
• Stay up to date with changes in UK tax legislation and ensure the company remains fully compliant

Project Finance & Commercial Support

• Provide financial support across the full property development lifecycle:
• Pre-development: assist with investment appraisals, financial modelling, and due diligence on land acquisitions
• Construction phase: review main contract payment terms, manage payment applications, track project costs against budget, and assess the financial impact of variations
• Operational phase: manage rental income, service charge accounting, and lease-related financial compliance
• Work closely with project managers, external consultants (PMs, QSs), and contractors to ensure accurate cost control and forecasting

Cash Flow & Treasury

• Prepare and manage cash flow forecasts for both the company and individual projects
• Coordinate funding requirements with the Hong Kong treasury team
• Establish and maintain robust payment approval processes
• Manage banking relationships and oversee all bank account operations

Process & Team Building

• Design and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls from scratch
• As the business expands, recruit, mentor and manage junior finance staff (Assistant Accountant / Cashier)
• Act as the bridge between the UK operational team and the Hong Kong headquarters, providing clear financial insights and risk analysis to support decision-making

About You

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven experience working in a finance role within a property developer / owner-operator environment, with a strong understanding of the full development lifecycle — from land acquisition through construction to asset management. Candidates with only a construction contractor background will not be considered.
• Solid working knowledge of UK corporate tax, VAT, and CIS. Must be comfortable managing all UK tax compliance matters directly or with minimal external support.
• Strong technical accounting skills with the ability to prepare full set of accounts and manage the statutory audit process independently.
• ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent recognised UK accounting qualification.

The right mindset:

• We have no capacity to mentor or hand-hold. You must be comfortable working autonomously and taking full ownership of the finance function from day one.
• You will be operating in a start-up environment with evolving processes and high expectations. Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to build structure from scratch are essential.
• You will work closely with non-finance stakeholders including project managers, external consultants, and overseas headquarters. The ability to translate financial data into commercial insights is key.
• While this role starts as an individual contributor, you will need to demonstrate the capability to lead and mentor a team as the business expands.
• Direct, pragmatic, and clear in your communication. No jargon for the sake of it.

Desirable but not essential:

• Experience reporting to a Hong Kong or Asian headquarters
• Experience working with offshore holding structures
• Mandarin language skills (spoken and written)
• Experience with system implementation or process automation