Assistant Finance Manager

JOB TITLE: Chinese Speaking Assistant Finance Manager LOCATION: London, United Kingdom (Canary Wharf Office) JOB TYPE: Permanent (Hybrid – 1 day in office every week) DEPARTMENT: Finance SALARY: £40,000–£50,000 + annual bonus REPORTING TO: Associate Finance Director LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Fluent English (Essential) + Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) ABOUT THE ROLE This is a hands-on Assistant Finance Manager role responsible for overseeing finance operations, including accounts payable, financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls across multiple business areas. The position requires strong technical accounting knowledge, team management capability, and the ability to support business operations through financial insights and process improvements. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Management & Supervision Manage the Accounts Payable function, including invoice processing and payments Supervise and support the Finance & Accounting team, providing guidance and issue resolution Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal policies, and procedures Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to meet business objectives Financial Control & Compliance Ensure accounting records are prepared in line with relevant accounting standards and statutory requirements Monitor regulatory, tax, and compliance changes and communicate updates where necessary Support internal control processes and risk management Budgeting Support and participate in the budgeting and forecasting processFinancial Reporting Lead month-end and year-end closing processes Prepare statutory and management reports for internal and external stakeholders Liaise with auditors and support audit processes Analysis Provide financial analysis to identify risks, opportunities, and profitability drivers Support business decision-making with data-driven insights Operations & Treasury Manage cash flow and support banking activities Assist in managing financial exposure and liquidity Review VAT and other statutory returns General Responsibilities Ensure safeguarding of company assets Support tax compliance and audit processes Drive process improvements and efficiency initiatives Support finance-related projects and ad hoc tasks SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Essential: Qualified accountant (or finalist) with a degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline 4+ years of relevant experience, including at least 2 years in a managerial role Strong knowledge of financial accounting, controls, and risk management Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Hands-on, proactive, and detail-oriented Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) Preferred: Experience in FMCG, property, or multi-entity business environments Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP) Ability to work in a fast-paced, international environment Mandarin or Cantonese language skills are an advantage