Finance Manager

Harper May is working with a London-based construction and development company that builds and manages residential, commercial, and mixed-use schemes across the capital. The business has grown its delivery pipeline significantly over the past two years and now operates 8-12 concurrent projects. As it scales, the finance function needs to keep pace - the leadership team is investing in better real-time cost visibility, tighter controls on margins, and clearer financial reporting across the estate. They are now seeking a Finance Manager to anchor these improvements.

The Role

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will own day-to-day financial management and project reporting. You will sit between the finance team and the project delivery function, translating project data into clear financial insight and ensuring the business has real-time visibility of performance. The role combines operational rigour with commercial curiosity - understanding what costs mean and why they matter to the project teams and board.

Key Responsibilities

Execute month-end close and deliver accurate, timely management accounts to senior leadership

Build and maintain project cost tracking, ensuring all schemes record actual spend, commitments, and forecast outturn

Support rolling cash flow forecasting and project-level margin analysis

Work with project managers and site teams to validate budgets, flag variances, and trace cost drivers

Manage and reconcile balance sheet accounts; identify and resolve control gaps

Prepare audit documentation, tax workings, and year-end consolidation

Lead process improvements - streamline close routines, strengthen reporting templates, and recommend systems enhancements

What we are looking for

ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional qualification and experience

Proven track record in construction, property development, or project-based accounting

Solid grasp of project accounting concepts, WIP, retention, and outturn forecasting

Fluent in Excel and comfortable with financial reporting; ERP experience valued

Clear communicator - able to explain financial concepts to non-finance project leads

Methodical, analytical, and comfortable owning multiple moving pieces