Finance Manager

Howden; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Howden is seeking a Finance Manager to join a team overseeing legal entity reporting for about 25 holding and treasury structures. The role covers monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting, plus budgeting support and M&A considerations.

Based in Central London with a hybrid pattern (onsite 2–3 days/week), the fixed-term contract runs to March 2028. You will lead a small accounting team, drive process improvements, ensure statutory reporting for UK and Jersey entities, and coordinate with tax,

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in financial reporting, general ledger and consolidation systems.
• Strong IFRS knowledge including IFRS 9, IFRS 2, IFRS 3; UK GAAP familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for legal entities.
• Lead month-end close and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Coordinate quarterly controls and lender attestations.
• Support interim reviews and annual audits.
• Prepare and review sections of consolidated accounts.
• Lead and coach a team of accountants.
• Identify process hurdles and drive simplification of monthly close.
• Engage with cross-functional stakeholders across finance, legal, tax and operations.

Skills

Team leadership

IFRS knowledge

UK GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Intercompany transactions

Tools

Consolidation systems

Job description

Howden is seeking a Finance Manager to be part of a team leading on legal entity reporting for circa 25 holding and treasury companies, covering monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting, as well as financial planning during the budgeting cycle. It suits someone with team leadership experience and strong technical knowledge in financial instruments, intercompany transactions, reconciliations, share movements, and statutory reporting.

The role also requires understanding M&A and restructuring impacts on entity and group reporting, translating complex transactions into clear accounting. A tech-savvy mindset is key, with a focus on streamlining processes and collaborating across finance, legal, tax, and operations teams.

Please note that this is a 18 month fixed-term contract, full-time role based in our Central London office. Following a hybrid work pattern, you are expected to be onsite 2-3 days per week on average. The fixed term contract is expected to run until March 2028.

What you'll be doing

Reporting and Controls:

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for legal entities.
• Lead month-end close and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Coordinate quarterly controls and lender attestations.
• Support interim reviews and annual audits.
• Prepare and review sections of consolidated accounts.
• Lead and coach a team of accountants with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Identify process hurdles and drive simplification of monthly close.
• Promote knowledge sharing and manage performance reviews.

Statutory Accounts:

• Oversee preparation of UK and Jersey statutory accounts
• Directly prepare complex accounts (e.g. parent entity, treasury companies).
• Coordinate with tax, external providers, and internal teams.
• Liaise with external and internal auditors, managing audit queries efficiently.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Lead annual budget and reforecasting for legal entities.
• Resolve issues impacting group holding companies, including interaction with divisional budgets.

Technical Accounting:

• Prepare accounting papers for financing, hedging, and share transactions.
• Coordinate with Shares team and external advisors to meet deadlines.
• Address ad hoc accounting issues as they arise.

Project and Initiative Support:

• Contribute to treasury initiatives (e.g. cash pooling).
• Support reorganisations, recharges, and business transfers.
• Engage team in cross-functional reporting and improvement projects.
• Assist with fair value assessments, impairment testing, and M&A accounting.
• Review and enhance accounting policies related to legal entity reporting.

What qualifications we're looking for

• Hands-on experience in key accounting areas – including financial reporting, general ledger and consolidation systems, IFRS 9 (financial instruments), intercompany transactions, investments/dividends, IFRS 2 (share-based payments), and valuations. Exposure to consolidation and acquisition accounting (IFRS 3) is a plus.
• Solid technical foundation of IFRS and UK GAAP, with ability to apply standards in practice.
• Experience managing and developing a team of at least three people.
• Able to manage tasks, allocate responsibilities, and balance competing priorities effectively.
• Able to explain accounting concepts to non-finance stakeholders and support cross-functional collaboration.
• Awareness of Companies Act requirements and legal obligations related to financial reporting and statutory accounts.