Job Description

Primary focus of role

You will be the essential link between finance and the senior management team. You will need to assimilate knowledge across the entire business, not just your own department, and be able to combine high quality and hands-on financial management with critical decision-making.

You will have the analytical appetite and ability to provide insights which will aid long-term and short-term decision making and support the ongoing development and improvement of the finance function to support the wider business.

You will oversee the monthly payroll, billing, management accounts, prepare project and operational budgets and forecasting in line with Elliott Wood’s business strategy and plan.

You will manage and coach an effective and efficient finance team, comprising of a Management Accountant and Finance Assistant. Your role will be to work collectively and collaboratively with all teams to ensure a joined-up approach to all financial aspects of our work.

Key areas of responsibility

• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate monthly management accounts and accompanying commentary, key analysis and management information for senior management, and provide financial operational support to the business managers.
• Manage year-end reconciliation of PAYE and preparation of P11Ds
• Liaison regularly with budget holders and business managers on matters of financial management, including delivery of ongoing training.
• Prepare and present key information to senior management team and the Board to aid key business decisions, including providing papers and any supporting sub-committees.
• Prepare billing targets and associated billing reports.

• Prepare budgets, forecasts and business plans, and work directly with the Finance Director in formalising financial information for the board.
• Deliver high quality, timely, accurate management information, leading on further enhancements and developments where appropriate.
• Oversee the management of the day-to-day financial operations of the company, including purchase ledger, sales ledger and cash management.
• Manage, coach and lead a Management Accountant, Financial Assistant and support staff.
• Oversee outside services for payroll, auditing, tax preparation, and other financial needs as necessary working in collaboration with the HR team.
• Ensure accurate monthly processing and reconciliation of payroll, including allocation of employers NI costs to relevant teams.
• Submit all necessary statutory filings including annual accounts, VAT and tax returns.
• Track the company's financial status and performance to identify areas for potential improvement.
• Seek out methods for minimising financial risk to the company.
• Present monthly financial reports and analysis to board and internal stakeholders, and provide insightful information and expectations to aid long-term and short-term decision making.
• Stay up-to-date with technological advances and accounting software to be used for financial purposes.
• Establish and maintain financial policies and procedures for the company.
• Understand and adhere to financial regulations and legislation.

Experience
 

• Demonstrative experience of working and advising senior management teams
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Commercially aware
• Experience with working with overseas businesses
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Knowledge of Xero accounting software
• Practical knowledge of Sage accounting software
• Experience of financial information software and systems
• Ability to explain financial information clearly and accurately to non-financial staff, including ability to present at senior level meetings
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and bring them with you
• Understanding of data privacy standards
• Demonstrative experience and working knowledge of finance and accounting within professional services or consultancy practice, ideally exposure of project accounting
• Demonstrable project management skills

Education and Training
 

• Relevant degree and accountancy qualification (ACA, ACC, CIMA or equivalent) with proven accounting experience

Behavioural skills

• Ability to work autonomously and consult with stakeholders at all levels
• Flexible; responsive to change
• Forward thinking with an inquisitive mind
• Ability to provide solutions and improvements
• Strong communication skills – ability to articulate complex information
• Written – clear, concise and with impact
• Verbal – clear, authoritative, measured
• Able to perform under pressure and through change while holding others to account
• Ability to multitask and independently prioritise high workload
• High level of trust and integrity

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrative experience of working and advising senior management teams • Analytical and problem-solving skills • Commercially aware • Experience with working with overseas businesses • High level of accuracy and attention to detail • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills • Knowledge of Xero accounting software • Practical knowledge of Sage accounting software • Experience of financial information software and systems • Ability to explain financial information clearly and accurately to non-financial staff, including ability to present at senior level meetings • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and bring them with you • Understanding of data privacy standards • Demonstrative experience and working knowledge of finance and accounting within professional services or consultancy practice, ideally exposure of project accounting • Demonstrable project management skills