Finance Manager

P. Ducker Systems Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

25 days annual leave

Professional development

Weekly company lunches

Socials

Job summary

Archangel Lightworks in Oxford seeks a hands-on Finance Manager to oversee daily finance operations, month-end routines, and project reporting. You will work with external accountants and support VAT and R&D tax credit processes in a growing start-up environment.

The role offers opportunities to develop financial systems, support strategic projects, and contribute to a cutting-edge optical system company. Flexible work-from-home options may be available upon agreement.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in a finance role.
• AAT Level 4 or equivalent qualification.
• Experience with QuickBooks or similar accounting software.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience preparing cashflow forecasts, budgets and financial reports.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience supporting R&D tax credit claims.
• Financial modelling capabilities.
• Experience in a start-up environment.
• Experience with project accounting and grant-funded projects.
• Experience implementing and/or improving finance systems, controls and reporting processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day finance operations including processing invoices, bill payments, customer and supplier queries.
• Manage month‑end finance routines including performing bookkeeping duties, preparing VAT returns, cashflow forecasting and producing management accounts.
• Work with external accountants to prepare year‑end accounts, including preparation of R&D tax credit applications.
• Support Project finance activities and routines.
• Support CFO with special projects.

Skills

3+ years' experience

Advanced Excel

Cashflow forecasting

Budgets

Financial reporting

Attention to detail

Education

AAT Level 4 or equivalent qualification

Tools

QuickBooks

Job description

About Archangel Lightworks

Archangel Lightworks is a laser communications company building wireless technology. Founded in 2017, we believe that laser communications to and from satellites is a key component of next‑generation infrastructure. Our core product, the TERRA‑M, is a deployable optical ground station with proven capability for space – ground data transfer.

Our team develops and operates products that advance the security and resilience of critical national infrastructure. We value compassion, resilience, curiosity, ownership and integrity. Our start‑up is a fast‑paced and supportive environment, where you can contribute to novel technology with meaningful applications like reducing the Digital Divide.

Archangel Lightworks recently closed over £10 million of investment in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. Our company is also supported by the UK Space Agency, the UK’s Department of Science and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Ministry of Defence.

About the job

We’re looking for a hands‑on Finance Manager to join our growing team. You will be responsible for managing day‑to‑day finance operations, monthly and annual reporting routines, and supporting project reporting and audit processes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Manage day‑to‑day finance operations including processing invoices, bill payments, customer and supplier queries
• Manage month‑end finance routines including performing bookkeeping duties, preparing VAT returns, cashflow forecasting and producing management accounts
• Work with external accountants to prepare year‑end accounts, including preparation of R&D tax credit applications
• Support Project finance activities and routines
• Support CFO with special projects

Requirements:

• 3+ years’ experience in a finance role
• AAT Level 4 or equivalent relevant qualification
• Experience with QuickBooks (preferred) or similar accounting software
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Experience preparing cashflow forecasts, budgets and financial reports
• Strong attention to detail

Desirable additional skills:

• Experience supporting R&D tax credit claims
• Financial modelling capabilities
• Experience in a start‑up environment
• Experience with project accounting and grant‑funded projects
• Experience implementing and/or improving finance systems, controls and reporting processes

Location:

Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford. There may be opportunity to work from home as agreed with your line manager. There may be opportunity for periodic business travel.

What we offer:

• Opportunity to work on advanced optical systems to support a world‑changing vision
• A collaborative and transparent culture with strong links between functions
• Regular socials and weekly company lunch
• Professional development and skills growth within a specialist engineering field
• Competitive salary and benefits package, with equity options in a growing start‑up
• 25 days annual leave allowance plus bank holidays

Archangel Lightworks is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. If you need any assistance or accommodation to complete your application or assessment, please contact us through the application form.

We recognise that many candidates us AI tools when applying. Please ensure your application reflects your own experience, skills, and thinking. We assess applications based on authenticity and accuracy, so anything generated with AI should be reviewed, personalised, and representative of you.

Tagged as: accounts, finance, laser communications, telecommunications