Finance Manager / Freight Forwarding & Aviation Logistics

Finance Manager - Strategic SME Role (Heathrow)

A senior, hands-on Finance Manager opportunity within a growing, owner-managed freight forwarding business specialising in time-critical aviation logistics, including AOG (Aircraft on Ground), courier, air freight, road freight and on-board courier movements.

Based near Heathrow, this is a key leadership role within the business. You will take full ownership of the finance function, working closely with the directors to ensure strong financial control, regulatory compliance and strategic growth planning.

This is not a corporate reporting role. It is a commercially focused, operationally connected position within a fast-moving logistics environment.

If you have also worked in any of the following roles, we would also like to hear from you: Financial Controller, Logistics Finance Manager, SME Finance Lead, Commercial Finance Manager, Freight Forwarding Finance Manager, SME Senior Management Accountant, Company Accountant, Finance Business Partner, Head of Finance (SME)

SALARY: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (depending on experience) + Performance Bonus + Benefits

LOCATION: Feltham, Hounslow, West London

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

JOB OVERVIEW

As Finance Manager, you will oversee all financial operations of the business, ensuring robust financial control within a 24/7 time-critical freight environment.

The company operates using Sage Line 50 for accounting and BoxTop Technologies for freight operations, with integration between operational and financial systems. You will take ownership of system integrity, reporting accuracy and financial controls across both platforms.

Given the nature of freight forwarding, the role includes oversight of:

• Duty Deferment Accounts

• Community Transit Guarantees

• HMRC compliance and customs-related accounting

• Multi-currency transactions and overseas supplier payments

You will play a central role in managing working capital, improving reporting visibility and supporting the company's next phase of growth.

This is a key appointment within the business and will directly influence strategic and commercial decision-making.

APPLY TODAY

Ready to make your next career move? Apply Now for our Recruitment Team to review.

DUTIES

Your duties as Finance Manager will include:

• Full ownership of monthly management accounts and reporting

• Cashflow forecasting and working capital management

• Oversight of Duty Deferment Accounts and Community Transit Guarantees

• Ensuring HMRC compliance including VAT (import/export), postponed VAT accounting and customs-related accounting

• Budgeting and annual forecasting

• Margin analysis by department (Air / Road / Courier / OBC / AOG)

• Shipment-level profitability analysis

• Credit control oversight and debtor days management

• Managing multi-currency accounts (GBP, EUR, USD) and foreign supplier payments

• Oversight of additional trading currencies where applicable

• Reviewing and maintaining integration between BoxTop operational system and Sage Line 50

• Improving financial reporting outputs across Sage and BoxTop

• Strengthening internal controls and financial processes

• Payroll oversight and pension compliance

• Liaison with external accountants and tax advisers

• Supporting directors with commercial decision-making and long-term planning

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience as a Finance Manager or Financial Controller within an SME

• Experience within freight forwarding, logistics, aviation or international trade (highly desirable)

• Strong working knowledge of Sage Line 50 (or equivalent SME accounting software)

• Strong understanding of Excel is essential

• Experience working with integrated freight forwarding systems (BoxTop highly advantageous)

• Experience managing Duty Deferment Accounts and HMRC exposure

• Strong understanding of UK VAT including import/export VAT

• Experience managing multi-currency environments

• Strong working capital and cashflow management experience

• Commercially minded with ability to analyse margins and profitability

• Professional qualification (ACCA / CIMA / ACA) preferred but not essential

• Hands-on approach with strong attention to detail

BENEFITS

• 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

• Performance-related annual bonus

• Pension scheme

• Private medical care following probation

• Long-term career progression within a growing SME

• Opportunity to shape and lead the finance function

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CV's of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.

JOB REF: AWDO-P14453

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