Finance Manager

Universal Quantum Ltd.; Haywards Heath; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Quantum Ltd. in the United Kingdom is seeking a seasoned Finance Operations professional to lead AP/AR, invoicing, and month-end routines within a multi-entity environment.

You will own VAT returns, support audits, and monitor spend against budgets while driving process improvements and automation across the finance function. Strong accuracy and proactive ownership are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• Part-qualified ACCA, CIMA, or ACA, with ambition to complete qualifications.
• Solid understanding of UK accounting principles and VAT rules.
• Strong hands-on experience with invoicing cycles, AP/AR processes, reconciliations, and month-end tasks.
• Proficiency with accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite) and strong Excel/Google Sheets skills.
• Experience managing supplier onboarding, purchase orders, payment runs and resolving queries.
• Ability to maintain accurate ledgers and ensure robust, auditable financial processes.
• Comfortable working in organisations with multi-entity or international considerations.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently with accountability for outcomes.
• A mindset geared toward continuous improvement and financial process optimisation

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day finance operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, bank reconciliations, and month-end routines.
• Manage supplier processes from onboarding to payments.
• Maintain accurate financial records aligned with UK accounting principles and internal controls.
• Take ownership of preparing and submitting VAT returns, ensuring HMRC compliance.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assist with internal and external audits by ensuring documentation and processes are complete and audit-ready.
• Monitor spend, highlight variances, and work with budget owners to ensure financial discipline.
• Identify inefficiencies in financial processes and implement streamlined, scalable solutions.
• Contribute to automation initiatives across invoicing, supplier management, and reconciliations.
• Strengthen internal controls and introduce best-practice financial processes as the business grows.

Skills

ACCA/CIMA/ACA

UK VAT knowledge

AP/AR processes

Invoicing cycles

ERP systems

Excel/Google Sheets

Supplier onboarding

Multi-entity experience

German language skills

Independent & accountable

Education

Part-qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA

Tools

Xero

QuickBooks

NetSuite

Job description

About Universal Quantum

At Universal Quantum, we are building the next generation of quantum computers — machines capable of solving problems once thought impossible. Our technology has the potential to transform industries from healthcare to aerospace, materials science, and beyond. As we scale from breakthrough R&D to global delivery, resilient execution becomes as critical as technical innovation.

WhatYou’llAccomplish

• Lead and manage the day‑to‑day finance operationsincluding accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, bank reconciliations, and month‑end routines.
• Manage supplier processesfrom onboardingto payments.
• Maintainaccuratefinancial recordsaligned with UK accounting standards and internal controls.
• Take ownership of preparing andsubmittingVAT returns, ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements.
• Support month‑end and year‑end closeprocesses, including journals, accruals, prepayments, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assistwith internal and external auditsby ensuring documentation and processes are complete and audit‑ready
• Monitorspend, highlight variances, and work closely with budget owners to ensure financial discipline.
• Identifyinefficiencies in financial processesand implement streamlined, scalable solutions.
• Contribute to automation initiativesacross invoicing, supplier management, and reconciliations.
• Strengthen internal controlsand introduce best‑practice financial processes as the business grows.

The 3 Most Critical AttributesWe’llUse to Compare Candidates

1. Accuracy & Attention to Detail: You’llbe the guardian of financial data integrity—small errors can have big impacts, and precision is essential.
2. Proactive Ownership Mindset:You take initiative,anticipateneeds, and close loops without being asked. You thrive in environments where you can build and improve.
3. Strong Communication & Stakeholder Confidence:You can explain financial matters clearly to non‑finance teams, manage suppliers professionally, and build trust across the organisation.

Must-have Skills

• Part‑qualified ACCA, CIMA, or ACA, with ambition to complete qualifications.
• Solid understanding of UK accounting principles and VAT rules.
• Strong hands‑on experience with invoicing cycles, AP/AR processes, reconciliations, and month‑end tasks.
• Proficiencywith accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite) and strong Excel/Google Sheets skills.
• Experience managing supplier onboarding, purchase orders, paymentruns andresolving queries.
• Ability tomaintainaccurateledgers and ensure robust, auditable financial processes.
• Comfortable working in organisations with multi‑entity or international considerations.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work independently with accountability for outcomes.
• A mindset geared toward continuous improvement and financial process optimisation

Nice-to-haveSkills

• Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas and data modelling.
• Experience supporting ERP implementation or systems migration, particularly in scaling multi‑entity environments.
• German language skills, useful for supplier communication and coordination with Germany based accountants.