Finance Manager

Reports to: Country Financial Controller

The role

Take ownership of hands-on accounting and help operational leaders understand the numbers behind their decisions. As Finance Manager at SIDE in Braga, you will combine reliable month-end delivery with business partnering, budgeting and forecasting, working with colleagues across our international finance team.

You will manage your day-to-day responsibilities independently, with support from the Country Financial Controller and specialist colleagues. The role suits an experienced Senior Accountant ready for broader responsibility, or a Finance Manager who enjoys both detailed accounting and working directly with the business.

Financial Reporting and Month-End Close

·    Perform month-end and year-end close processes, including preparing and posting journals for accruals, prepayments, payroll and other accounting adjustments, with appropriate supporting documentation.

·    Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations, investigate reconciling items and resolve outstanding balances promptly.

·    Review general ledger accounts in detail to identify errors, unusual movements and required adjustments, and explain significant movements and variances.

·    Maintain accurate accounting records in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and improve the quality and consistency of financial data.

·    Prepare and reconcile intercompany balances and cross-border recharges in line with Group policies, supporting trading between Group operations and with external clients.

·    Assist with Group consolidation and the preparation of financial reporting packs.

Business Partnering and Operational Finance

·    Provide regular and ad hoc reports and analysis to operational leaders, including monthly management information and investigation of actual expenditure against budget and forecast.

·    Work with operational leaders and financial planning and analysis colleagues to ensure accurate expense allocation and alignment of financial reports.

·    Explain financial results, challenge assumptions constructively and identify opportunities to support business growth and improve operational and financial performance.

Statutory and Technical Accounting

·    Prepare and review statutory accounts and year-end files, maintaining high-quality supporting documentation and ensuring balance sheet and general ledger records remain audit-ready.

·    Build a close working relationship with the external accounting partner.

Financial Control and Compliance

·    Support compliance with relevant accounting, tax and financial reporting requirements, working with the Head of Tax and other specialist colleagues.

·    Complete tax, payroll and other finance-related reconciliations and contribute to related projects as required.

·    Perform accounting activities in accordance with Group accounting policies and internal control requirements, identifying control weaknesses or accounting issues and escalating them promptly.

Collaboration with Other Teams and Operational Finance

·    Work with shared services and other finance colleagues on billing, accounts receivable and accounts payable, while remaining hands-on in the majority of these activities.

·    Coordinate with relevant teams to ensure transactions are recorded accurately and in the correct accounting period.

·    Work with financial planning and analysis colleagues to prepare monthly forecasts and the annual budget.

·    Work with Group Finance on monthly consolidation and upload monthly financial data to the Group consolidation platform.

·    Work closely with Group Treasury each week and prepare weekly and monthly cash forecasts.

Payroll Accuracy and Verification

·    Review payroll data in detail to verify employee compensation, deductions and tax calculations, and check compliance with company policies and applicable payroll requirements.

·    Support the development of internal payroll capability over time, including bringing payroll activities in-house.

Process Improvement

·    Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and automate recurring accounting and reporting processes, and improve month-end close and financial controls.

·    Document accounting processes, reconciliations and control procedures, and support Group Finance initiatives, system improvements and changes to accounting processes.

Qualifications and Experience

·    A bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and/or qualified accountant status (CA, CPA or equivalent). Candidates actively pursuing a professional accounting qualification will also be considered.

·    Proficiency in accounting software and ERP systems. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a plus.

·    Strong knowledge of accounting standards such as GAAP or IFRS.

·    Intermediate or above proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word, with particular emphasis on Excel.

·    Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

·    An analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills.

·    Experience in small or medium-sized companies is preferred.

·    The ability to manage accounting and reporting responsibilities independently, explain financial results clearly and build effective relationships with operational leaders and finance colleagues.

Why join SIDE

This role offers broad practical ownership and direct contact with operational decision-makers in an international creative business. You will have scope to improve how finance works and develop your business partnering experience alongside colleagues with specialist finance expertise.

About SIDE

SIDE is a multi-award-winning games dialogue specialist working in one of the video game industry's most established audio-production environments.

With more than 20 years' experience, an international network of resources and an award-winning team of technical and creative specialists, SIDE works to deliver the truest interpretation of each client's creative vision - across genres, platforms and languages.

SIDE also works across the technology and digital media industries, supporting innovative clients around the world whose devices and technologies form part of consumers' everyday lives.