Temporary assignment - period 3-4 months
Competitive hourly rate: Equivalent to £65-70K pro rata
Full time - hybrid role - minimum 3 days from the office
We are looking for a highly skilled Financial Controller or Financial Systems Manager to join our team and help drive the day-to-day finance management of the company. With an ever-growing client base across the UK and beyond - this is an opportunity to join a fast paced, innovative team within a creative agency.
Responsibilities
Financial Management:
- Oversee and manage the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, including quarterly.
- management accounts, quarter end reporting as well as overseeing and maintaining G-Accon month end reporting.
- Report company finances, management accounts and prepare financial reports for the Managing Directors.
- Oversee the financial operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
- Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including VAT, payroll, pensions and pension
- reconciliation, as well as other regulatory filings.
- Track cash flow, overhead, pipeline & forecasting, P/L and expenditure.
- Lead the year-end audit process and liaise with all stakeholders and auditors.
- Work alongside the company Accountant to update and improve all financial systems, streamlining the reporting process and driving efficiencies.
- Support with annual tax submissions.
- Support with the preparation of monthly UK VAT submission.
- Review and support with foreign territory GST submissions (Australia) as well as in the EU.
- Oversee credit control and approve weekly payment runs.
Financial Planning & Analysis:
- Oversee the company finance system (Scoro). This is a large part of the job and previous experience on this system is desirable.
- Support teams with budgets, ensuring all data is fed into the revenue tracker as well as streamlining the process.
- Manage the company invoice tracker, keeping on top of all cash flow and ensuring team members are informed of payments. Ensure all late payments are chased up in a timely manner.
- Manage the financial calendar, adding all key dates including payroll, TOIL, invoice due dates, etc.
- Develop and maintain financial models to support strategic planning and decision-making. Including
- monitoring the overhead and suggesting savings as well as ways to increase profit margins.
- Provide detailed financial analysis and reports to the management team, offering insights and
- recommendations for business improvement and commercial growth.
- Partner with Account Directors and department heads to help develop budgets and financial plans aligned with company goals.
- Monitor financial performance, identify trends, and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Financial Systems & Process Improvement:
- Lead the optimisation of all financial systems.
- Oversee the implementation of Scoro, the financial system, to ensure efficient and effective integration with other business systems for seamless operations.
- Set-up reports on Scoro, utilising the functions to continuously report and suggest savings and improvements.
- Evaluate and improve current financial processes, policies, and controls to enhance accuracy, security, and efficiency.
- Onboard new team members to financial systems that they will need to use.
- Manage relationships with external financial software providers and consultants.
- Project Budgets:
- Support with reviewing project budgets and project reconciliations, ensuring this is completed in a timely manner.
- Provide data and reports to support project teams with reporting to clients.
- Identify and support with negotiating deals with repeat suppliers, providing cost saving opportunities.
- Ensure timely reconciliation of all overhead budgets to align with reporting requirements.
- Manage timesheets and ensure this is completed by all team members.
- Monitor project budgets and report any projects not meeting desired profit margins to the Managing.
- Directors. Support with increasing margins where possible.
Team Leadership:
- Provide clear direction and support to improve ways of working. Including annual reviews, setting goals and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Develop and provide training and guidance to ensure the wider team is well-versed in financial systems and procedures.
- Oversee the recruitment, training and development of finance staff as needed.
Requirements and skills
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
- Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) is highly desirable.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a financial management role, preferably within the events, media, or
- creative industries.
- Proven experience in managing financial systems and improving financial processes.
- Strong understanding of UK financial regulations and compliance requirements.
- Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
- Experience or exposure within a creative / agency desirable.
Skills:
- Proficient in financial management software (e.g. Xero) and advanced spreadsheet skills.
- Desired experience with Scoro.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a friendly and approachable manner and the ability to work effectively with all members of the team.
- Strong leadership skills with a focus on team development and continuous improvement. Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced
- environment.