Finance Manager

Who are we?

Smarkets: Predicting the Future of Betting

Smarkets runs one of the world’s most sophisticated prediction markets, handling over £29 billion in volume since 2010 and engaging 200,000+ traders globally. We’re a technology company that happens to revolutionise betting - from sports to political markets, to delivering the sharpest prices and the fairest odds.

Our stack is designed for scale, reliability, and speed: Linux, Kafka, Postgres, Kubernetes, with Python 3, C++17, and React powering our platform. We build infrastructure that institutions trust while keeping trading accessible to everyone. Our edge? We’ve thrived through every market cycle, competitor, and industry revolution.

At the heart of our success are our people. We create a high-performance environment where exceptional talent can thrive, blending deep business experience with a commercial mindset to drive strategic growth.

If you’re ready to help shape the future of prediction markets with cutting-edge technology and a customer-first philosophy, Smarkets is where you belong.

The Team

The Finance Team is responsible for making sure Smarkets has timely and accurate financial information to run the business day-to-day, to satisfy regulators, and to stand up to investor scrutiny. Smarkets operates a high-volume betting exchange across multiple jurisdictions and licences, which puts finance at the intersection of accounting, regulation and commercial decision-making.

The team's responsibilities currently span across three different areas:

• Financial Reporting & Control: month-end close, statutory accounts, external audit delivery, and the controls framework needed to support a dual UKGC / CFTC regulated business;

• Finance Systems & Transformation: building out the reporting architecture on top of our ERP, automating data flows and replacing manual processes with scalable ones as the function evolves by implementing new systems and embedding AI.

In a typical week, a Finance Manager in the Finance team would:

• Run a fast, clean month-end close and turn the output into a board-ready management pack that explains what actually drove the numbers;

• Prepare a technical paper for internal stakeholders that explains an area of complex accounting

• Build a new automated process with AI and then document the controls so it's audit-ready.

About the Role:

We are seeking a proactive and hands-on Finance Manager to anchor the day-to-day financial operations. This key role involves deeply engaging in financial controlling, overseeing the preparation of monthly management accounts, and serving as a critical business partner to the wider organisation. You will also manage one direct report. The ideal candidate is an experienced accountant, ready to hit the ground running, who will ensure the accuracy of financial reports, maintain robust controls, and effectively support the finance function's strategic goals.

What you will do:

• Lead the preparation, review, and audit of annual financial statements, ensuring compliance with IFRS and relevant standards.

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including monthly and annual financial close and group consolidated management accounts.

• Manage and develop the Accounts Assistant direct report.

• Manage payroll and ensure timely submission of UK/Maltese VAT returns.

• Drive balance sheet integrity, maintain internal controls, and act as the go-to expert for technical financial queries.

• Assist with new ERP implementation and initiate continuous process streamlining.

• Maintain relationships with auditors, tax authorities, and external stakeholders.

Role Requirements:

• ACCA/ACA qualified with a degree in Accounting or related field, possessing strong experience in a regulated industry (betting/gaming preferred).

• Proven hands