Finance Manager

Location: Hybrid (2-3 office day per week) London, Victoria
Type: Full-Time/Permanent
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Group Financial Controller

Salary: £75,000 + Bonus + Benefits

About Hanson Wade Group:

Hanson Wade Group is a leading events business serving specialist markets across Life Sciences, HR, and Construction. Through industry-leading conferences, we provide hyper-relevant insights and meaningful connections that help professionals solve challenges, share knowledge, and drive progress in their industries.

The Role:

This is a hands-on role. Whilst the Finance Manager will lead and develop a small team, they will be expected to remain close to the detail and actively participate in key finance processes. The successful candidate will roll up their sleeves, understand transactions from initiation through to reporting, and be comfortable both reviewing work and completing it themselves when required.

The role will have day-to-day responsibility for the Finance team, supporting their development and ensuring the team delivers an efficient and high-quality service to the business. In addition to owning the financial management and reporting of Hanson Wade Conferences Limited, the Finance Manager will be responsible for the monthly Group consolidation and will play a key role in the preparation of management accounts, Board reporting and private equity investor reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting:

• Own the preparation of monthly accounts for Hanson Wade Conferences Limited and the monthly Group consolidated accounts (Hanson Wade TopCo Limited), including detailed variance analysis against budget and forecast, providing clear financial insight to support decision-making.

• Own the preparation of the management reporting pack for Hanson Wade Conferences Limited and the consolidated Group, including board reporting and monthly reporting submissions to our private equity investors, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.

Month-End / Business As Usual (BAU):

• Maintain a detailed understanding of all finance processes, controls and systems, ensuring risks and issues are identified and resolved promptly.

• Maintain an audit-ready finance function, ensuring documentation, controls and processes are robust and well evidenced.

• Own and manage the month-end close process , ensuring all accounting activities are completed accurately and month-end is closed by WD6.

• Take ownership of balance sheet integrity ensuring all reconciliations are completed, reviewed and supported on a timely basis.

• Review and post journals where required.

• Maintain fixed asset registers and oversee intercompany accounting and reconciliations.

• Ensure revenue recognition is accurate and compliant with Group accounting policies.

• Investigate accounting queries and resolve technical accounting issues.

• Prepare and review indirect tax returns across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK and Europe.

• Oversee the treasury control environment, including bank accounts, user access, payment controls and company credit card administration.

• Prepare and oversee the end-to-end sales invoicing process, including the preparation of customer invoices, ensuring invoices are issued accurately, promptly and within agreed service levels.

Cash Flow Management:

• Prepare and submit weekly cash flows to senior management.

• Prepare covenant workings for timely submission.

• Monitor cash flow and liquidity to ensure the organization meets its financial obligations.

• Manage working capital and oversee accounts receivable and payable processes.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching and development discussions to build capability across the team.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Liaise with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory bodies as needed to ensure that all external reporting is executed on time and to the deadlines set.

• Build relationships with internal departments to support operational financial needs.

• Own the year-end statutory reporting process, including the preparation of statutory accounts, management of the external audit, oversight of external tax advisers and ensuring all filing deadlines are met.

Project Management:

• Lead initiatives to improve processes within the Finance Department, identifying areas for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Implement best practices in financial operations, including automation and workflow enhancements, to streamline reporting and compliance activities.

Systems Ownership

• Own the NetSuite platform from a Finance perspective, including system administration, user access management, process design, controls, reporting, training and the identification and delivery of system enhancements.

Qualifications:

• Big 4 Qualified ACA or ACCA with post-qualification experience in industry (1 year minimum post qualification).

• Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Excel; experience with NetSuite is essential.

• Experience owning and delivering a month-end close process within a multi-entity environment.

• Previous experience managing or mentoring finance professionals.

• Strong understanding of financial regulations and accounting principles.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail.

• Experience operating within a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

• Previous exposure to private equity-backed businesses is desirable.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

• A collaborative and innovative work environment.