About the Company
Our client is a long established retail brand known for delivering high quality products and exceptional customer experience. The business is committed to sustainability and pride themselves on their customer focused approach and collaborative culture. As the company continues to expand its reach, it remains focused on offering a best-in-class retail experience.
About the Role
The Finance Manager is responsible for delivering accurate financial, cost and management accounting information, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The role supports the Chairman,
COO and departmental heads through timely commercial insights, manages core finance operations, and ensures robust financial controls across the organisation. The post-holder also line manages the Finance Assistant and supports the COO across budgeting, audit, tax and group reporting activities.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting
• Responsibility for all accounting aspects of the group’s operations, working closely with the COO.
• Ownership of the monthly management accounts process for all group entities, delivering accurate results in line with strict deadlines.
• Full ownership of the group balance sheet, covering fixed assets, CAPEX reporting, accruals, prepayments, receivables, provisions, deferred income and cash accounts.
• Preparation of the annual group budget and reforecasts, providing detailed variance analysis and performance commentary to senior leadership.
• Preparation of statutory accounts and coordination of the year-end audit process, liaising directly with external auditors.
Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
• Provision of timely and actionable commercial management information to the Chairman, COO and departmental heads (e.g., sales, marketing, T&E, ESG reporting).
• Working with the Merchandising and Data Analysis Manager to ensure accurate sales reporting, stock alignment and inventory controls.
• Delivering financial training and technical support to non-finance managers, enhancing financial literacy across the business.
Systems, Controls & Process Improvement
• Ownership of all accounting processes, policies and internal controls, identifying and implementing improvements to strengthen the finance environment.
• Responsibility for all FI aspects of the group’s SAP reporting system, including proposing and implementing structural or functionality enhancements.
• Providing technical support for Retail Pro (POS), SAP, Shopify and Global Payments, including data maintenance and routine operations.
• Administration of HSBCnet, MiVision (corporate card management), and other financial systems.
Tax, Compliance & Company Secretarial
• Responsible for group tax compliance including corporation tax, VAT submissions, US sales tax, EU sales lists and Intrastat/National Statistics returns.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory authorities, including Companies House reporting and supported company secretarial duties.
• Maintaining monthly loan schedules for the holding company.
Cashflow & Treasury
• Supporting daily liquidity management and preparation of short- and long-term cash flow forecasts across all group entities.
Leadership & Management
• Line management responsibility for the Finance Assistant, supporting development, quality of work and performance.
Other Responsibilities
• Lead the finance component of ESG reporting, including calculating staff travel emissions to support sustainability disclosures.
• Supporting sample sales, stock takes and logistics where required.
• Assisting the Finance Director with ad-hoc projects and group-wide initiatives.
Equipment/Systems Used
• SAP (FI modules)
• Excel (advanced)
• MS Office
• Retail Pro (POS)
• HSBCnet, MiVision, Shopify, Global Payments
Skills & Experience
• Qualified or nearly qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent QBE.
• Strong analytical and logical problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel and good working knowledge of SAP.
• Knowledge of IFRS and statutory reporting requirements.
• Ideally experienced in retail or a product-based environment.
Particular Aptitudes/Skills Required
• Strong communication skills with the ability to manage relationships internally and externally.
• Adaptability and the ability to deliver results while meeting deadlines and expectations.
• High attention to detail, commercial awareness and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.