Senior Finance Manager

About Universal Quantum

At Universal Quantum, we are building the next generation of quantum computers - machines capable of solving problems once thought impossible. Our technology has the potential to transform industries from healthcare to aerospace, materials science, and beyond. As we scale from breakthrough R&D to global delivery, resilient execution becomes as critical as technical innovation.

As Senior Finance Manager, you will report to and act as the number two to the Finance Lead, taking ownership of core finance operations while helping build the systems, controls, and reporting discipline needed to support Universal Quantum’s next stage of growth. This is a full-time role based in Haywards Heath, with 3 days in the office and flexibility to work in a way that supports both collaboration and delivery.

What You’ll Accomplish

• Lead and continuously improve day-to-day finance operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, bank reconciliations, and month-end routines, ensuring processes are accurate, scalable, and appropriately controlled.

• Maintain accurate financial records and internal controls, reviewing ledger quality and supporting schedules to ensure issues are identified and resolved promptly.
• Manage invoice processing and payment workflows, ensuring invoices are accurately matched to purchase orders, approved in line with internal processes, paid on time, and that supplier queries are followed up and resolved promptly.

• Monitor spend, explain variances, and partner with budget owners to improve financial discipline, cost visibility, and accountability across the business.

• Own the preparation of VAT returns, ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements and maintaining clear supporting documentation.

• Own key elements of month-end and year-end close, including journals, accruals, prepayments, balance sheet reconciliations, and preparation of supporting schedules.

• Lead the preparation of audit-ready schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external audits, coordinating responses and ensuring processes are complete, accurate, and well evidenced.

• Identify inefficiencies in financial processes and implement streamlined, scalable solutions.

• Contribute to automation initiatives across invoicing, supplier management, and reconciliations.

• Strengthen internal controls and introduce best‑practice financial processes as the business grows.

The 3 Most Critical Attributes We’ll Use to Compare Candidates

1.      Accuracy & Attention to Detail You’ll be the guardian of financial data integrity - small errors can have big impacts, and precision is essential.

2.     Proactive Ownership and Judgement You take initiative, anticipate needs, close loops without being asked, and exercise sound judgement when assessing priorities, risks, and trade-offs. You thrive in environments where you can build and improve.

3.     Strong Communication and Stakeholder Confidence You can explain financial matters clearly to non-finance teams, manage suppliers professionally, and build trust across the organisation.

Requirements

Must-have Skills

• Qualified accountant with ACA, ACCA, or CIMA and 1 - 4 years’ post-qualified experience.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, VAT rules, month-end controls, and the preparation of accurate management information.
• Strong hands-on experience across invoicing cycles, AP/AR processes, reconciliations, and month-end tasks, with the judgement to review outputs and identify issues before escalating.
• Proficiency with accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, or NetSuite, together with strong Excel or Google Sheets skills for reconciliations, reporting, and analysis.
• Experience managing supplier onboarding, purchase orders, payment runs and resolving queries.
• Ability to maintain accurate ledgers and ensure robust, auditable financial processes.
• Comfortable working in organisations with multi-entity or international considerations, including coordination with overseas advisors, suppliers, or accountants where needed.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of outcomes, and know when to escalate risks, exceptions, or decisions to the Finance Director.
• A mindset geared toward continuous improvement, financial process optimisation, and strengthening controls as the business scales.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Advanced Excel skills, including complex formulas and data modelling.
• Experience supporting ERP implementation or systems migration, particularly in scaling multi‑entity environments.
• German language skills, useful for supplier communication and coordination with Germany based accountants.

Benefits

• Competitive salary 
• Meaningful equity participation 
• Flexible holiday allowance (28 days minimum)
• Flexible working
• 10% matching pension
• Generous parental support policy
• Private health / dental insurance & group life insurance
• £2,000 annual personal development budget
• Relocation support