Finance Manager

Jestico + Whiles; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jestico + Whiles is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to oversee the practice's financial operations. You will drive budgeting, forecasting, reporting and cash management while liaising with the leadership team to improve profitability across projects.

You will act as a trusted advisor, translating complex financial data into practical guidance for Principals and the Practice Manager, ensuring timely financial information and compliant processes across the firm.

Qualifications

• Part-qualified or qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with UK GAAP knowledge.
• Experience in architecture or professional services is advantageous.
• Strong management accounting and financial reporting abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function including budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Manage day-to-day finance operations: purchase/sales ledgers, payroll, VAT, PSA and tax.
• Provide financial insight and commercial guidance to support project profitability and decisions.
• Coordinate with Principals and Practice Manager on financial planning and controls.
• Liaise with auditors for year-end and statutory accounts; ensure compliance with HMRC and GAAP.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Power BI skills

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Project accounting

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent

Tools

Sage

Xero

CMap

Rapport

Microsoft 365

Job description

Jestico + Whiles is looking for an experienced and proactive Finance Manager to lead our finance function and play a key role in supporting the practice's continued success.

We are an award-winning architectural practice with a reputation for thoughtful design, collaboration and innovation. Our 60-strong team of architects and interior designers work on projects across the UK and internationally, principally in the education, residential and hospitality sectors.

Creativity, exploration and rigorous thinking underpin everything we do. We continually challenge ourselves to deliver exceptional design solutions and achieve the best environmental outcomes for our clients, creating buildings and places that are healthy, adaptable, low-carbon and resilient. That same rigour applies to all of our support functions, including finance.

As Finance Manager, you will take responsibility for all aspects of financial management within the practice, from budgeting, forecasting and management reporting through to credit control and cash management. Working closely with the Leadership Team and Practice Manager, you will provide financial insight, help improve project profitability and contribute to informed decision-making across the business.

This role would suit someone who enjoys working closely with people as well as numbers. You will be a trusted advisor to colleagues across the practice, translating financial information into clear and practical guidance while ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day financial operations.

We are seeking a part-qualified or qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) with strong management accounting experience. Experience within architecture or professional services would be advantageous, but we are equally interested in candidates who can bring fresh perspectives from other sectors. Full and part-time roles would be considered.

As a friendly, creative and collaborative practice, we value clear communication, initiative and a hands-on approach. In return, you will join a supportive and welcoming team, working in our vibrant Clerkenwell studio and contributing to a practice whose projects make a positive impact on people and places.

Job Description

Reporting

To Principals (and in particular Principal who leads on finance)

Job Purpose

Providing regular financial information to support the Principals in making sound business decisions and to take responsibility for the management and smooth running of the Practice's financial systems.

Job Description

• The Finance Manager has primary responsibility for managing the practice’s finances, including financial planning, management of financial risks, record-keeping, and financial reporting.
• Manage the day to day finance functions of the Practice, including purchase ledger (supplier payments), sales ledger (client invoices), expenses, credit control, HMRC returns (VAT, P11D, PSA etc), payroll and other ad hoc financial duties.
• Produce and present monthly Management Accounts to Principals across all entities including balance sheet, profit & loss, revenue recognition, cashflow, budget comparisons, income forecasts and project performance to anticipate any potential financial issues or concerns and to inform short and long-term business decisions.
• Provide regular fee income forecasts across all entities, including cashflow, to inform budgeting and workload analysis, including assessments of probability, work in progress, deferred and accrued income.
• Lead the monthly revenue recognition and work-in-progress (WIP) review process in accordance with the Practice's accounting policies and UK GAAP
• Assist Principals in interpreting financial information and assist with annual budget and forecast setting for the Practice, including the regular monitoring of costs in relation to budget.
• Provide commercial insight and practical financial advice in relation to managing current projects, securing future projects and business development.
• Manage the Practice’s general book keeping and company bank accounts, including bank reconciliation, cash deposits and the posting of accruals and prepayments.
• Manage all matters relating to pensions, health insurance and tax.
• Interface with the Practice Manager on human resources matters relating to payroll.
• Provide support to the Principals in meeting their statutory obligations as directors, including but not restricted to VAT and statutory tax compliance
• Preparation of accurate P&L, Balance Sheet, KPI and variance analysis
• Annual statutory accounts
• Company Secretarial duties
• Negotiate and implement contracts for general insurances on an annual and ad hoc basis.
• Log incoming purchase invoices and ensure supplier payments are made on time in line with the Prompt Payment Code.
• Manage petty cash, company credit cards, foreign currencies and general staff expenses.
• Monitor company fixed assets, loans and leases, maintaining a fixed asset register and inventory list in collaboration with Practice Manager and IT Manager.
• Partner proactively with architectural staff on project accounting, to include labour budgeting, debtor chasing, fee forecasting, profitability analysis and revenue recognition to help improve project financial performance.
• Work with the Practice Manager on resource allocation, staff utilisation and project staffing analysis.
• Work collaboratively with the Practice Manager and IT Manager to ensure the smooth running of practice systems, human resources and support structure.
• Act as line manager for a Finance Assistant if appointed, supervising the role and sharing the responsibilities.
• Provide relevant financial data for industry wide benchmarking surveys, ONS and tender submissions.
• Liaise with external auditors for annual statutory accounts and lead on the year-end audit process, being the first point of contact with external accountants.
• Comply with standard office procedures as contained on the Intranet.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve financial processes, including the appropriate use of digital tools and emerging technologies such as AI.
• Support wider operational activities and business improvement initiatives across the practice.
• Encourage and support the highest standards of professionalism and quality of service to clients.
• Ensure all accounting activities and internal audits comply with HMRC, GAAP and financial regulations.

Skills and Profile

• In depth knowledge of technical accounting issues (part-qualified or qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA) and understanding of UK GAAP and FRS 102 and any subsequent updates.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• High level of analytical skills and initiative to resolve queries internally and externally.
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis and forecasting models and ability to communicate data effectively, including advanced Excel and Power BI skills.
• A focus on continuous improvement and implementation of best practice finance systems.
• Experience of accounting and business management systems. Familiarity with Sage, Xero, CMap, Rapport and Microsoft 365 would be advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to communicate at all levels in a confident, courteous and professional manner.
• Understanding of architectural project finances and the need for respect, tolerance and interpersonal skills when working with architects, clients and support staff.
• Discretion and tact in the handling of sensitive information and an understanding of the confidential nature of the role.
• Motivational skills.
• Time management skills and organisational ability including prioritising work and meeting deadlines.
• Everyone has a responsibility to comply with ISO9001 and ISO14001 and are encouraged to put forward ideas and contribute to the programme of continual improvement.