Finance Manager

A fast-growing international business operating in the Online/Retail space is seeking a commercially minded and trustworthy Finance Manager to take full ownership of their financial operations in a newly created first in finance position.

This is a senior, hands-on role sitting at the heart of the business. You'll be the financial backbone — managing everything from day-to-day accounts to shareholder tax planning, dividend optimisation, and benefit structuring. You'll work directly with the Director and external accountants, and your work will have a direct impact on the strategic direction of the business.

Financial Management & Budget Control

Take full ownership of the company's financial operations, planning and reporting

Develop and monitor budgets to ensure responsible spending and optimal resource allocation

Regularly review financial performance against budgets, providing variance analysis and actionable recommendations

Maintain and monitor cash flow to ensure the business meets all operational and tax obligations

Prepare financial forecasts and management reports for the director and shareholders

Identify cost reduction opportunities and advise on profit margins and reinvestment strategy

Payments & Record Keeping

Approve and process supplier invoices, purchase orders, and outgoing payments accurately and on time

Manage accounts payable and receivable, keeping reconciliations current

Track e-commerce transactions, platform fees, and deductions across Shopify, Amazon, and other platforms

Maintain clean, accurate ledgers with all entries properly coded and reconciled

Produce monthly management accounts and assist with end-of-year financial statements

Taxation & Compliance

Ensure all VAT, PAYE, and corporation tax submissions are accurate and filed on time in coordination with external accountants

Maintain full compliance with HMRC regulations and e-commerce tax requirements

Keep accurate, audit-ready records of all financial transactions

Liaise with accountants and auditors to support year-end and compliance reviews

Monitor changes to tax legislation and proactively advise on implications for the business

Shareholder & Director Tax Planning

Advise on and implement tax-efficient dividend strategies for shareholders, taking into account personal income, tax band utilisation and timing

Support directors with personal tax planning including salary and dividend structuring, benefit-in-kind optimisation, and self-assessment obligations

Identify and implement opportunities to maximise available allowances, reliefs and exemptions — including corporation tax deductions, capital allowances, and employment benefit schemes

Work with external accountants to ensure shareholder and director tax positions are optimised each financial year

Growth & Strategic Support

Work closely with operations, procurement, and compliance teams to align financial priorities with business objectives

Provide financial insights and scenario modelling to support purchasing decisions, inventory planning, and growth initiatives

Support the business in building scalable financial systems and reporting infrastructure as the company scales into major UK retail

What We're Looking For

An ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified or possible PQ/QBE accountant with 5+ years’ experience in a finance role with hands-on responsibility for management accounts, tax compliance, and financial planning

Excellent commercial finance and business management skills

Strong knowledge of UK accounting standards, HMRC regulations, and Director/shareholder tax matters

Experience with dividend planning, benefit-in-kind reporting, and PAYE for directors

Proficient in Xero and confident working across e-commerce platforms including Shopify and Amazon

Strong numerical accuracy, analytical thinking, and attention to detail

High integrity and discretion when handling confidential financial and personal tax information

E-commerce or retail background strongly preferred

A proactive, ideas-driven mindset — they want someone who doesn't just manage the numbers but actively identifies opportunities to improve tax efficiency, reduce costs, and structure the business more effectively. If you've implemented schemes, reliefs, or strategies that others missed, we want to hear about it.