We are seeking a dynamic interim Finance Manager, available at very short notice for 9 months, to join our rapidly expanding CleanTech startup based in Reading, UK. As part of our team, you will play a pivotal role in preparing the Finance function for scaling. You will act as a coach/mentor to the Accounts Assistant and identify and implement process improvements that help them in the their role. You will support the CFO to prepare for the next funding round, starting to develop analysis and reporting along with partnering the wider business. The role is based in our Reading office, with the ability to work remotely up to a maximum of 2 days per week. Financial Operations Set up next phase of management accounts for Board Reporting: financial and non-financial data and variance analysis; feeds into financial model and board templates Review Xero automation opportunities across financial operations (invoice processing; month end processes/journals; payment processing) to develop and coach Finance Assistant plus drive efficiency in finance function Support selection and implement Xero bolt-ons - such as: Billing/revenue managment software Purchase to Pay workflow and expenses add-on to Xero to add governance and efficiency to PO raising, cost centre spend and expense management Stock/WMS system Financial Analysis and Reporting Support Dashboard creation using available data sources (Finance, CRM, Engineering backend) Review historical reported KPIs Develop efficient processes to consolidate and report weekly/monthly data Set up monthly cost centre/project reporting Support CFO in upgrading Financial Model Support annual Budgeting/forecasting process Support modelling of sales commission schemes (via data sourcing and analysis) Requirements Essential Skills: Qualified (ACA, CIMA or ACCA); Excellent Excel skills (minimum index-matching, look ups, pivots, graphs/charts); Expert user in cloud-based accounting systems and integrations (e.g. Xero and add-ons or similar); Experience analysing / manipulating large data sets in Excel (or PowerBI/similar tools); Ability to multi-task and manage multiple small projects at once; and Desirable Skills: Range of SME and mid-sized business experience. Process improvement experience Demonstrate flexible behaviours to fit into early-stage business and willing to roll up sleeves