Overview
The Financial Manager will be the "engine room" of the Heaps + Stacks finance function, ensuring total accuracy in our day‑to‑day accounting while providing the strategic oversight needed to protect our project margins. Reporting directly to and supporting the Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in refining our processes, managing cash flow, and ensuring our compliance and best‑in‑class standards are met as we scale.
Success in this role means balancing a zero‑tolerance approach to financial inaccuracy with the agility required to thrive in a fast‑paced creative agency. You will lead by example, providing data‑driven insights that allow our creative and production teams to push boundaries safely and profitably.
Responsibilities
* Lead the month‑end process, ensuring accurate P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting.
* Support the Head of Finance with board packs, annual budgeting, and re‑forecasting.
* Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors and ensure all statutory filings (VAT, PAYE) are submitted on time.
* Manage and reconcile all company tracking, receipts, and credit card statements.
Project Oversight & Margin Protection
* Work closely with the production team to monitor live project spend versus initial estimates, flagging variances early to protect agency margins.
* Ensure payments are received on time from clients.
* Track team time on projects – estimated vs actual.
* Oversee the wrap and reconciliation of all projects, ensuring internal and external wrap meetings have accurate financial data.
Operations & B Corp Compliance
* Manage payment cycles and contract negotiations for third‑party suppliers and freelancers.
* Track sustainable supplier spend to meet B Corp procurement targets.
* Identify opportunities for new financial systems to simplify and speed up the way we work.
Payroll & Team Health
* Oversee monthly payroll for our 45+ staff members.
* Work with the Ops team to track sick days, staff retention, and the financial impact of recruitment agency spend.
* Ensure all financial onboarding for new recruits is complete and compliant.
Qualifications
* Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate complex numbers into actionable insights for non‑finance team members.
* Resilience under pressure and the ability to hit tight month‑end deadlines without losing accuracy.
* A self‑starting attitude and an open outlook; you’re not afraid to challenge the status quo to find better ways of working.
* Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with creative and production teams.
* A deep interest in sustainability and ethical business – you understand that B Corp isn’t just a badge, it’s how we operate.
* A future‑focused lens, always looking to pre‑empt financial or operational issues before they arise.
Experience
* ACCA, CIMA, or ACA qualified with 2+ years of post‑qualification experience.
* Likely experience in a creative, event, or production agency with project‑based accounting and high‑volume freelance management.
* Expert‑level knowledge of Xero and advanced Excel skills; experience with project management software (e.g., Synergist, Float) is a significant plus.
* Experience improving financial controls and automating manual tasks to increase efficiency.
Salary & Time Commitment
This role is predominantly office based (approximately 2–3 days per week in the office) and we are ideally looking for someone to work full time.
We review salary regularly to ensure the team moves in line with the business and individual performance.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Heaps + Stacks is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, where all applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disabilities.
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