Finance Operations Specialist for UK Startups, Based in Umhlanga
Careerbox · Umhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu Natal
Overview
Careerbox in Umhlanga is hiring a qualified accountant to manage finance operations for fast growing UK startups. If you are a self starter with startup experience, strong technical accounting skills and the flexibility to work UK hours, this full time role offers the chance to work across multiple clients in a dynamic environment.
About the role
Careerbox is looking for a Finance Operations Specialist to join their team in Umhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu Natal. You will work closely with UK based startups, scale ups and high growth businesses, taking ownership of their finance function.
This role is ideal for a qualified accountant who thrives on variety and autonomy. You will manage month end close and reporting, cash flow, payables and receivables, and group accounting for multiple entities and currencies. You will also help improve finance systems, document processes and roll out consistent reporting templates across clients.
You will be comfortable using AI and automation tools to reduce manual work and will have the confidence to deal directly with founders and CFOs. The environment is fast paced and you will need to manage several clients at once while meeting agreed deadlines.
Please only apply if you are open to working UK hours. This is non negotiable.
Requirements
- Qualified accountant: ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CA(SA), Indian CA or Philippine CPA
- Experience in startup, scale up or high growth environments, ideally VC backed
- Strong technical accounting skills up to management accounts level
- Confident with revenue recognition, especially subscription and SaaS businesses
- Competent with AP, AR, cash flow analysis and forecasting
- Experience with multi entity and multi currency accounting, including consolidations
- Advanced Excel and Google Sheets skills
- Hands on experience with Xero, Dext, Payhawk and Spendesk, and quick to learn new tools
- Comfortable using AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT or Copilot for analysis, reconciliation and drafting commentary
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Willingness to work UK hours
Responsibilities
- Run structured month end close for each client, including balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, deferred revenue and fixed assets
- Produce management accounts with variance commentary against budget and prior periods
- Build and maintain KPI reporting for different business models such as SaaS, marketplace, e commerce, fintech or deeptech
- Prepare inputs for board packs and investor reporting
- Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable end to end, including supplier payment runs, credit control and aged debt follow up
- Maintain short term cash flow forecasts and flag funding or runway risks
- Oversee spend management and expense processes in tools such as Payhawk, Spendesk or Pleo
- Handle multi entity and multi currency accounting, including intercompany, consolidations and FX revaluation
- Prepare year end files and draft statutory accounts where required
- Support VAT returns, payroll reconciliation and other compliance deadlines
- Set up, clean up and improve finance systems, including chart of accounts and integrations onto Xero
- Use AI and automation tools to reduce manual work and improve accuracy
- Document processes for every client so work is consistent and easy to hand over
Job details
- Organisation
- Careerbox
- Location
- Umhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu Natal
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Mid
- Education
- Certificate
- Category
- Accounting & Finance
- Application Method
- Apply online
Success Guide
Hi there! If you are a qualified accountant with a passion for startups, this role at Careerbox could be a great fit. They are looking for someone who can work UK hours, so make sure you are comfortable with that before applying. In your CV, highlight your experience with Xero, multi currency accounting and any work you have done with fast growing businesses. It also helps to show you are tech savvy, especially with AI tools. The interview might include technical questions about revenue recognition or consolidations, so brush up on those. Good luck!
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