As the Finance Manager, you will play a crucial role in managing and maintaining the financial health of the business. From bookkeeping to strategic financial planning, you will ensure the agency’s finances are not only in order but optimised for growth. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on precision and enjoys working in a dynamic, creative environment.
Your responsibilities will span daily financial operations, preparing insightful reports, managing payroll, and contributing to high-level strategic initiatives like year-end preparation, tax planning, and risk management.
Core Skill Requirements:
- Bookkeeping Expertise: Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions and ensure accounts are up to date.
- Payroll Management: Oversee the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, and all relevant deductions and contributions are compliant with HMRC requirements.
- Financial Reporting: Deliver timely and detailed reports, including:
- Cash Flow
- Operating Expenditure (OpEx)
- Budget Trackers
- Profit & Loss (P&L) Statements
- VAT Compliance: Manage VAT returns, ensuring full compliance with HMRC regulations.
- Year-End Support: Assist with year-end preparation, including corporate tax strategy and R&D tax claims.
- Data-Driven Insights: Use financial data to provide insights that inform business decisions and identify growth opportunities.
General Deliverables and Responsibilities:
- Financial Planning: Work with the leadership team to create and refine budgets and forecasts.
- Payroll Compliance: Ensure compliance with all payroll regulations, including auto-enrolment pensions, PAYE, and National Insurance contributions.
- Compliance & Accuracy: Ensure financial operations meet regulatory standards and internal policies.
- Cost Control & Analysis: Monitor and analyse operational expenses to identify areas for cost savings and improved efficiency. Provide actionable recommendations for budget optimisation.
- Policy and Procedure Development: Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to standardise practices and ensure compliance.
- Cash Flow Management: Proactively manage cash flow, identifying potential risks and proposing mitigation strategies to ensure business liquidity.
- Client Financial Management: Collaborate with Department heads to monitor client-related financial metrics, ensure accurate invoicing, and maintain timely payment collections.
- Support for Strategic Initiatives: Partner with leadership on financial planning for new business opportunities, investments, or expansions, including creating financial models and forecasts.
- Audit Readiness: Prepare documentation and reports to ensure readiness for both internal and external audits, and act as the primary contact for auditors.
- Risk Management: Identify financial risks, develop mitigation strategies, and maintain oversight of insurance policies, credit control, and contingency planning.
- Stakeholder Communication: Provide regular financial updates and reports to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and clarity around the agency’s financial health.
Personal Attributes for Success:
- Detail-Oriented: Your meticulous approach ensures precision in all aspects of financial and payroll management.
- Analytical Mindset: You enjoy diving into data to uncover trends and drive actionable insights.
- Proactive: You anticipate financial challenges and opportunities, acting quickly to resolve or capitalise on them.
- Strong Communicator: You can present complex financial data clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
- Team Player: You collaborate seamlessly across teams, offering financial and payroll guidance where needed.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in bookkeeping, financial management, reporting, and payroll administration (SME experience preferred).
- AAT, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualifications.
- Strong proficiency in accounting and payroll software Xero and advanced Excel skills.
- Comprehensive understanding of VAT regulations, payroll processes, and year-end requirements.
- Experience in preparing R&D tax claims is an advantage.
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience ranging from £45k to £60K PA - subject to a successful probation
- Comprehensive benefits package:
- 28 holiday days (excluding Public Holidays)
- Health insurance
- Team event away days
- Flexible working hours
- Pension contributions
- Opportunities for professional development