Finance Manager
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently
£59,900 – £64,300 / year
Salary
Within the market range
£49,200
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.2×
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2421 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 37% sure that is the right code. WJ UK is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
We pick the code from the advert's text, so it is our best guess, not the employer's. Each code it could be has its own likelihood:
- Possible 2421 (Chartered and certified accountants) · 37% match
- Possible 1131 (Financial managers and directors) · 33% match
- Possible 3534 (Financial accounts managers) · 27% match
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2421 Chartered and certified accountants Most likely code | £34,500 Clears | £39,400 Clears | £44,300 Clears | £49,200 Clears |
1131 Financial managers and directors Also possible | £52,600 Clears | £60,100 Clears | £67,600 Misses | £75,100 Misses |
3534 Financial accounts managers Also possible | £33,400 Clears | £44,700 Clears | £44,700 Clears | £44,700 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
About WJ
WJ is the UK's leading water management specialist – the partner and contractor of choice for major construction and infrastructure programmes. Founded by academics and evolved through expertise, we apply scientific principles to solve complex water challenges: over 40 years' experience and 4,000+ projects worldwide, including the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the London Olympic Park, Crossrail, Tideway, HS2 and currently Sizewell C. Our expanding service lines span dewatering & groundwater control, water treatment, surface water management, I&M, pumping tests, well drilling and professional services, grounded in engineering and delivered in partnership. Our values of Confidence, Pride, Clarity & Integrity, and Independence guide every decision we make.
About the Role
Key role objective The post holder will lead the day-to-day work of the UK accounts team, based at the UK head office and supported by WJ eDOC financial team colleagues based in the Philippines, ensuring the accurate and timely production of the Company’s financial information and its integration into the Group’s financial reporting. The UK Finance Manager will produce the monthly financial report for the UK Finance Meeting, in the format agreed from time to time by that meeting, together with any additional reports required by the Managing Director or Group Finance Manager.
Responsibilities
Reports to
Managing Director (Line Manager); Group CFO (functional reporting line)
Direct Reports
Payroll and Finance Assistant
Key relationships
- Works closely with the Group CFO and the Group Finance Manager
- Works closely with WJ’s eDOC back-office financial support via Senior Accounting Officers
- UK’s Managing Director, Commercial Team, Sales Team, Technical Team, Operations Team Managers and HR Team.
- UK Clients, Suppliers, Subcontractors Financial teams
Key areas of responsibility
Financial Accounting and Reporting
- Prepare the Company’s monthly financial accounts to Trial Balance level.
- Prepare all monthly Finance Meeting reports, highlighting variances, risks and opportunities.
- Carry out the monthly Balance Sheet review and reconciliation of control accounts.
- Prepare and post monthly and ad-hoc journals.
- Analyse overheads and monthly project costs, supporting cost control across the business.
- Review monthly cost value reconciliations (CVRs) for each contract prepared by the Managing QS, reviewing work in progress, accruals, cost-to-complete and margin recognition with the Managing QS and Project Managers.
- Maintain the fixed asset register.
- Produce the annual and interim budgets and regular forecasts.
- Provide commercial finance support to the Managing Director, Sales Team and Managing QS, including review of tender pricing, margins and contract payment terms.
- Lead the annual audit, working with the Company’s external auditors to produce the statutory financial statements.
Contracts, Sales and Credit Control
- Ensure valuations, invoices and receipts are posted accurately and promptly.
- Working with the Managing QS track applications for payment, variations and retentions, ensuring retentions are recovered when due.
- Prepare the forward-looking rolling sales forecast.
- Oversee credit control and the management of debtors, including credit checks and credit limits for new and existing clients.
- Oversee the purchase ledger and supplier and subcontractor payment runs, including CIS verification, in line with the Company's authorisation limits.
Cash and Treasury
- Review bank balances and cashflow daily and prepare the monthly rolling cashflow forecast.
- Supervise bank account reconciliations.
Tax and Compliance
- Review and finalise the monthly payroll, including payments to staff and HMRC.
- Complete the monthly VAT and CIS returns, Corporation Tax quarterly payments and Office for National Statistics returns accurately and on time.
- Complete the Bi-monthly Irish VAT Returns.
- Ensure the Company complies with the Group’s accounting and financial policies and internal controls, including authorisation limits and segregation of duties.
- Oversee pension auto-enrolment, P11D and expenses compliance, Companies House filings and support for Senior Accounting Officer and transfer pricing requirements.
Team Leadership
- Manage the UK Finance team (inc. eDOC back office financial support teams), including recruitment, training and annual reviews.
- Plan and organise the team’s workload to ensure month-end, audit and statutory deadlines are met.
- Support colleagues across the business with accounts queries.
Group Liaison
- Maintain daily communication with the Group Finance Manager and the Group CFO, keeping Group Finance informed of the Company’s trading, cash position and any emerging issues.
- Deliver the Company’s monthly results and reporting packs to Group deadlines, in the format required for consolidation.
- Agree and reconcile intercompany balances each month, including Group Support and Services charges.
- Support Group-wide finance projects as required, including the implementation of the new accounting system.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Strong knowledge of management accounts, year-end and audit processes, and UK VAT (including domestic reverse charge), Corporation Tax, CIS, PAYE and payroll, and FRS 102 reporting
- At least five years’ experience as a Finance Manager or in an equivalent role.
- Experience of reporting within a group structure, including consolidation packs, intercompany reconciliations and Group deadlines.
- Proven experience of managing and developing a finance team, including remote or offshore team members.
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with up-to-date CPD
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word and PowerPoint), with advanced Excel skills, and in the use of AI tools such as Claude
- Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Strong financial acumen.
- Organised, with the ability to prioritise and plan own workload and that of the team, and to work to deadlines
- Flexible approach to hours to ensure deadlines are met
Desirable
- Knowledge of Sage accounting systems
- Experience in construction, contracting or plant hire, including CVRs, retentions and applications for payment
- Experience of implementing or migrating to a new accounting system
Working Conditions
- Full-time position based at WJ’s UK Head Office (Kings Langley).
- Hours are 08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day.
General Expectations
- Uphold WJ’s values and commitment to safety, quality and environmental performance.
- Promote continuous improvement and a positive, ethical culture of financial integrity across the business.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role’s seniority and finance function.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with WJ UK, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Chartered and certified accountants (SOC 2421) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~68k in sample- Offer £59,900–64,300
- Middle half £38,376–65,780
- Median £49,452
- Going rate £49,200
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £34,500–44,300
The range sits inside the market's middle half (£38,376–65,780), so this is typical pay for the occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
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Browse more sponsored jobs at WJ UKAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. WJ UK holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2421 going rate of £49,200. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.