Finance Manager

Wickes are recruiting for a Newly Qualified Finance Manager to join us on a permanent basis. This is a hybrid role with the expectation of being on site 2/3 days a week in Watford.

To be responsible for the accounting requirements within the Group Financial Control and Reporting team, with a focus on preparing accurate financial reporting and ensuring financial records comply with statutory regulations under both IFRS and FRS 102.

• Responsible for preparing and reporting period end financial accounting entries (including areas such as but not limited to payroll, insurance, shared‑based payments and cash flow), presenting results to FP&A.
• Ensure robust financial control by maintaining the integrity of the General Ledger (GL) and overseeing the Group balance sheet completion process.
• Lead the preparation of complex sections (e.g. impairment) of the Group’s external financial statements for half‑year and year‑end reporting, ensuring full compliance with IFRS.
• Act as a primary liaison and escalation point for the external audit transactions team during the annual Group audit. Additionally, taking ownership of coordinating the internal Finance team's audit deliverables, reviewing audit schedules and supporting the Group Technical Accounting Manager where required.
• Monitoring, reconciling, and eliminating intercompany transactions, balances, and investments during period end and year end close processes as part of the Group consolidation.
• Responsible for performing statutory compliance tasks, including the preparation of subsidiary statutory accounts and for the preparation and submission of ONS surveys.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the wider Finance team (e.g. FP&A, Tax) and business stakeholders, providing accounting insights as required to support business decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement across financial reporting and fulfil ad‑hoc requests as required to support the smooth operation of the Finance function.

• Broad finance experience, including period end processes.
• Experience of reporting under IFRS.
• Preparation of financial statements.
• Proficiency in MS Office/Google with good Excel/Google Sheets skills.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Financially literate.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Team player/happy to help/can do attitude.
• Well organised with the ability to prioritise work.
• Hard working and proactive.
• An awareness of accounting topics impacting retail.
• Well organised, flexible, and able to operate in a fast‑paced environment.
• Capable of providing drive and bringing passion to the role.
• Practice background or relevant experience in a Group financial reporting function.
• Payroll and Intercompany accounting knowledge.

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career.

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:

• Competitive Annual bonus
• Hybrid Working
• Private Medical and Life Assurance
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of  part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.

By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.

Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required – general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.