Finance Manager

Finance ManagerCambridge, Up to £80,000 + benefits & share options5 days on-siteWe’re working with a well-funded, venture-backed Cambridge scale-up looking for a Finance Manager to take ownership of its finance function at an important stage of growth. But this isn't your standard Finance Manager role where you'll spend all your time producing management accounts and maintaining existing processes.The objective is to build a smarter, automation-first finance function.You'll review the existing finance systems and processes, identify what can be automated or improved through technology and AI, and work with external accounting partners to move transactional activity away from your desk.The idea is to spend less time processing the numbers and more time using them. That will give you the capacity to work directly with the CEO and senior leadership team, providing financial insight, supporting decision-making and ensuring Finance can keep pace as the business scales.The roleYou'll have broad responsibility across Finance, including:Leading the redesign and automation of finance systems and processesIdentifying practical applications for AI across transactional finance and reportingStreamlining and automating the month-end close and management reporting cycleLeading future finance system/ERP selection and implementationOwning management and Board reportingManaging budgeting, cash forecasting and treasuryTaking ownership of audit, statutory reporting and financial controlsOverseeing tax compliance, including VAT, corporation tax and R&D taxManaging external accountants and outsourced transactional supportWorking directly with the CEO and senior leadership as the business continues to developThe emphasis is on oversight, improvement and commercial input, rather than personally processing every transaction.What are we looking for?You'll be a fully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA accountant, ideally with at least four years' post-qualified experience.Previous start-up or scale-up experience would be highly advantageous. Perhaps you've led an ERP implementation, automated month-end processes, introduced new finance technology or redesigned inefficient workflows. You don't need to be an AI developer, but you should be genuinely interested in how AI and technology can transform the way Finance operates.You'll also need the confidence to operate as the senior finance voice internally, somebody comfortable working directly with a CEO, challenging when appropriate and bringing senior stakeholders with you through change.This is a five-day-per-week office-based role in north Cambridge.For someone who enjoys the pace and challenge of a scale-up, and wants genuine ownership of their role, then this is a brilliant opportunity.