Purpose of the Post
The Finance Manager plays a key role within the Finance and Corporate Services team, leading the finance function and ensuring strong financial management across the organisation. This includes overseeing financial operations for in house and Visiting Company programmes and commercial services such as the Café Bar and Kiosk, Box Office and Scenic Construction Workshop.
The post holder manages core finance department functions, supervises daily finance team operations and produces accurate and timely management accounts.
This role offers an opportunity to develop a career in accounting and financial management with exposure to wider commercial functions including HR, IT, Risk and Governance.
Benefits
Standard entitlements include employer pension contributions and statutory sickness, maternity and paternity pay. Additional benefits include an extra paid birthday leave day, access to a confidential counselling service, free beverages, discounted food, free tickets for productions and free period products in bathrooms. The workplace also offers a riverside terrace environment, work within a respected multi award winning theatre, mental health first aider support, inclusive workplace initiatives and staff engagement opportunities.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Finance Operations
* Manage daily financial transactions and finance team operations including sales ledger, purchase ledger, payment runs, credit control, banking, credit cards and petty cash.
* Oversee financial processes for café bar, front of house, box office and scenic workshop income and expenditure and produce performance reports.
* Oversee payroll and ensure reconciliation and payment of tax, national insurance and pensions.
* Prepare and submit VAT returns and statutory reports.
* Maintain accounting systems and databases.
* Track production, workshop and tour finances including budget versus actual reporting.
* Oversee box office income reconciliation.
* Ensure correct financial allocation of grants, donations, sponsorship and gift aid income.
* Prepare Visiting Company settlements and manage contract interpretation and contra agreements.
Financial Management and Reporting
* Produce month end, quarterly management accounts and variance analysis.
* Reconcile balance sheet accounts, prepare trial balances and consolidate accounts for senior management and board reporting.
* Lead budget preparation, cash flow forecasting and financial reporting.
* Oversee departmental budget versus actual reporting.
* Manage statutory accounts preparation and external audit process.
* Provide financial analysis to support decision making.
Grant Compliance and Risk Management
* Support grant applications and reporting.
* Ensure compliance with financial regulations, tax law and funding requirements.
* Manage Theatre Tax Relief claims and other tax benefits.
* Oversee fixed asset management.
Team Leadership and Relationship Management
* Lead and develop the finance team.
* Work with managers and budget holders to support budget management.
* Liaise with auditors and external stakeholders.
* Work with HR and IT to ensure payroll and finance systems integration.
General Duties
Act as authorised signatory on bank and credit card accounts within limits.
Support strategic financial planning and sustainability.
Ensure compliance with policies on health and safety, equality and confidentiality.
Personnel Specification
Essential Criteria
* Minimum three years finance experience in a complex commercial or not for profit organisation with turnover above 2.5 million pounds.
* Qualified accounting technician or part qualified accountant or minimum five years relevant experience.
* Experience managing staff and working within a team.
* Experience producing management accounts, statutory accounts and reconciliation reporting.
* Payroll experience and knowledge of PAYE and VAT.
* Experience using Sage Line 50, Sage Payroll or similar systems.
* Strong Microsoft Office and Excel skills.
Desirable Criteria
* Interest in theatre or the arts.
* Experience with contract interpretation and settlement.
* Experience managing people and budgets.
Personal Qualities
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
* Flexible and enthusiastic approach.
* Ability to mentor and motivate a small team.
* Strong problem solving and multitasking skills.
* Strong time management and prioritisation skills.
* High attention to detail and numerical accuracy.