Finance Manager – Wokingham
£60,000 p.a.
American Amusements Holdings Limited (AAHL)
Location: Wokingham
Reports To: Finance Controller / CEO
Who Are We?
American Amusements Holdings Limited (AAHL) is the parent company of a group of three Superbowl branded Family Entertainment Centres operating in the South of England.
The centres are located at Woking, Ryde (Isle of Wight) and Wokingham and offer Tenpin Bowling, Laser Quest, Amusements, American Pool and Gaming alongside a flourishing Food and Beverage offer.
Following a recent transition to Xero from Sage 50 as our accounting platform, we are seeking a talented and committed Finance Manager to strengthen our accounts function and help drive this profitable business forwards.
About The Role
This is an excellent opportunity for a bright, driven, and fully qualified finance/accounts professional who is looking to step into a high-visibility role and make it their own.
You will work closely with the Financial Controller, the senior management team of the three centres and the CEO, taking ownership of core financial processes, reporting, and compliance.
You will be numerate, commercially curious, and ready to grow with the business. A genuine enthusiasm for the leisure and hospitality sector and an understanding of its financial dynamics would be an advantage, though comprehensive onboarding will be provided.
For the right candidate, progression to Group Financial Controller within 6-12 months, with increased responsibility and remuneration, is a realistic and actively supported objective.
Job Title: Finance Manager
Location: Wokingham (occasional hybrid working will be considered)
Reports To: Finance Controller / CEO
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Management Accounts
- Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts including variance analysis
- Deliver insightful financial reporting to support senior decision-making across both businesses
- Support the annual budgeting and monthly forecasting cycles
VAT & Compliance
- Prepare and submit VAT returns accurately and on time via Xero
- Liaise confidently with auditors and the Finance Director, addressing queries promptly
- Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and Group policies
- Support year-end audit and statutory accounts preparation
Xero & Systems
- Own and manage the day-to-day operation of Xero across both companies
- Maintain clean, accurate data entry and ensure reconciliations are completed routinely
- Identify opportunities to improve and streamline accounting processes within the platform
- Act as the internal Xero expert, supporting other team members
Financial Controls, Balance Sheet and Management support
- Maintain robust balance sheet reconciliations and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner
- Support cash flow forecasting, monitoring and variance analysis
- Assist with banking relationships, supplier payments and cash management
- Ensure adherence to Group financial policies including purchasing and expenses
- Support the monitoring and regular monthly analysis of Food, Beverage and Vending income, delivering margins and contribution to Group profitability.
- Helping the operational teams at site level understand performance and identify areas for operational improvements
- Work collaboratively with operational teams to provide meaningful financial insights identifying trends and period of slower or faster growth
- Provide financial analysis to support commercial decisions and performance improvement including identifying better purchasing opportunities and company retro receipts.
- Build effective working relationships with Centre Managers and senior leadership
What We’re Looking For
Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
- Qualified by experience will also be considered for candidates with a strong track record in a similar role
Essential Experience & Skills
- Excellent working knowledge of Xero and Sage 50.
- Experience preparing management accounts, VAT returns and financial reconciliations
- Numerate and analytical, with strong attention to detail
- Confident in responding to audit and Finance related queries and questions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
- Comfortable working independently and managing their own workload
Desirable
- Familiarity with food and beverage margin analysis and hospitality cost structures
- Experience in a multi-entity or a Group finance environment
- Background in the leisure, hospitality, or retail sector
- Experience of managing or mentoring junior finance staff
- Keen to be actively involved in a successful, profitable and growing leisure and hospitality business
Personal Attributes
- Bright, articulate and curious to understand the business
- Proactive and self-motivated, someone who takes initiative and ownership
- Collaborative team player who builds effective relationships across the three businesses.
- Ambitious with a clear desire to step up into a Financial Controller role.
- Ambitious and eager to grow, with a clear desire to progress into a Group Financial Controller role.
Why Join Us?
- Competitive salary of £60,000 p.a. with flexibility for an exceptional candidate
- A genuine and clear pathway to Group Financial Controller within 6-12 months.
- A high-profile role with real ownership and the chance to shape the finance function of the business
- Supportive and collaborative senior leadership team including hands-on CEO
- Dynamic, profitable leisure Group
Pay: £60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
