FINANCE MANAGER

£45,000 - £50,000 PER ANNUM (DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE)

WEST LONDON

FULL TIME PERMANENT ROLE

I have partnered with a successful company in the automotive sector to recruit an experienced and detail-oriented Finance Manager to join their small but busy team. This role is crucial for supporting the Finance Director with day-to-day accounting operations and monthly reporting cycles. The ideal candidate will be Qualified by Experience, proficient in using Sage 50 Accounts (v50) and have a solid understanding of various financial processes including sales ledger, purchase ledger, and bank reconciliations.

Day-to-day of the role:

Sales Ledger

• Accurately allocate customer receipts, including credit cards and bank deposits
• Manage credit control: chase debtors, issue statements, and handle overdue account communication.
• Process and reconcile commission invoices.
• Produce aged debtor reports with commentary on high-risk balances.

Purchase Ledger

• Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies.
• Request and follow up missing invoices and credit notes.
• Post overhead invoices into Sage 50 and import parts invoices from software.
• Liaise with suppliers on disputes, pricing, and overdue credits.
• Reconcile and post company credit card statements.

Nominal Ledger

• Post and reconcile overheads against budget and supporting schedules.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns, ensuring accurate coding and reconciliations.
• Complete reconciliations for control accounts, accruals, prepayments, suspense, and petty cash
• Review the monthly trial balance and resolve discrepancies.

Bank & Cash

• Perform daily bank reconciliations across all accounts.
• Post and allocate receipts and payments to remittances or BACS breakdowns.
• Maintain and reconcile petty cash, ensuring accurate records and sign-off.

Month-End & Reporting

• Support the full month-end process, including accruals, prepayments, journals, and adjustments.
• Assist in the preparation of management accounts and financial statements.
• Analyse aged debtor and creditor reports, highlighting risks.
• Support external audit preparation as required.

Payroll

• Process payroll using Sage 50 Payroll, including hours, adjustments, statutory pay, and RTI submissions.
• Reconcile payroll journals at month end.

Utilities & External Liaison

• Coordinate all utilities-related matters.
• Liaise with external management companies to ensure accurate billing and contract compliance.
• Maintain schedules for utility usage, contracts, renewals, and discrepancies.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Proficient in Sage 50 Accounts (v50) for postings, reporting, and reconciliations.
• Experience with Sage 50 Payroll is highly beneficial.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or finance.
• Strong Excel skills and familiarity with general office software.
• AAT or similar accounting/bookkeeping qualification preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of managing debtor relationships and handling challenging conversations.
• Strong organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities effectively.