Morgan McKinley is delighted to be partnering with a growing investment boutique in London on their search for a recently qualified / finalist Accountant with experience in the investment management sector. This is a high-impact opportunity for a sharp, newly/nearly qualified Accountant to take genuine ownership of the month-end close and management reporting cycle, and to lead the transformation of how the finance function operates through automation, AI-enabled tooling, and smarter systems. This is not a support role; you will own the numbers, strengthen controls, and drive tangible process change, with real scope to reshape how finance operates. Reporting directly to the Head of Finance, this role will collaborate closely with CFO and Operating Partners. Key Responsibilities
- Month-End Ownership & Reporting
- Take full ownership of the month-end close process in an industry setting, ensuring accurate, timely, and well-controlled delivery of financial results.
- Prepare and review month-end journals, reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, and balance sheet schedules.
- Produce monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting, with clear variance analysis.
- Maintain the fixed asset register and related depreciation calculations.
- Ensure robust audit trails and documentation to support internal and external audit requirements.
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning
- Play an active role in the annual budgeting process, working closely with the Head of Finance & Compliance and CFO to build a consolidated budget across the management company and related entities.
- Prepare and maintain rolling forecasts, updating assumptions on headcount costs, operating expenditure, and fund management fee income as the business evolves.
- Produce clear, well-structured budget vs. actual variance analysis each month, identifying and explaining key drivers to support management decision-making.
- Support scenario and sensitivity modelling as required, particularly in the context of fund launch planning and management company resourcing decisions.
- Drive improvements to the budgeting and forecasting tools and templates, reducing reliance on manual spreadsheets and improving the speed and accuracy of the planning cycle.
- Process Improvement, Automation & Change
- Lead the automation of month-end and reporting processes, leveraging accounting systems, workflow tools, and emerging technologies.
- Identify, design, and implement process improvements that materially reduce manual effort and reliance on spreadsheets.
- Drive finance process change initiatives from design through to implementation and adoption.
- Systems & Technology
- Act as a subject-matter expert in the accounting system (Xero experience strongly preferred), including integrations and automation tools.
- Improve the use of technology in areas such as reconciliations, reporting, expense management, and supplier processes.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure finance systems support operational and reporting needs effectively.
- Compliance & Statutory Reporting
- Ensure VAT and other statutory filings are completed.
- Support and eventually lead year-end audit processes, including preparation of audit-ready schedules and responses.
Qualifications and Experience: Essential
- Newly qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent), or finalist.
- Investment management sector experience.
- Experience must include preparing month-end numbers.
- Experience automating month-end and reporting processes using technology.
- Experience delivering process change.
To find out more, please apply or contact Cheryl Aust.
