Job Description

The post will suit an individual with an understanding of the dynamics of an ambitious small business, the demands of a lively design, architecture or creative studio, and a willingness to attend to the challenges of working in a fast-moving environment.

You will be responsible for

Financial Management and Analysis

• Management accounts
• Forecasts & balance sheets
• Project and job profitability analysis
• Utilization reports & variance analysis
• Monthly Cashflow forecast backed up by daily cash balance reports and making recommendations and implementing foreign exchange hedging decisions

Statutory Responsibilities and Compliance

• Audit and statutory accounts preparation - London and International Office
• Payroll related returns and compliance
• VAT related returns and compliance
• Pension related returns and compliance

Finance Systems and Processes

• Finance policies and procedures – oversee and produce.
• Ensuring accounts system (Paprika) is being used correctly and that all new functionality is adopted and communicated
• Awareness and use of all portals relating to HMRC/Pensions/Banking

Supervision and Authorisation

• Overview of the purchase invoice and expense processing and payment cycle
• Ensuring that correct sign off has been completed for all financial transactions
• Online payment authorisation and review of balance sheet reconciliations

Management

• Development and management of Management Accountant
• Training on more complex accounting concepts
• Supervision of Management Accounts production

Billing

• Ensuring fee schedules are in place for live projects
• Issuing all sales invoices directly to clients on a monthly basis or more often if necessary
• Provide reports and analysis of overdue debtors.
• Reviewing reimbursable expenditure spent on projects and insuring invoices are raised to the client to cover agreed costs (monthly).

Operations

• Working with the Operations team and Project Management as well as the Design Directors to ensure there is a full understanding of resourcing
• Providing the Directors (Creative and new business directors) with abbreviated financial information
• Promoting an understanding of the relevance of good financial control within the company including the importance of timesheet and expense completion
• Works with HR Lead on Benefits, Payroll, Invoice sign off, staff costs, recruitment forecasting and reporting.

You will work with the external Accountants and Auditors, HMRC, Paprika, Sage, Aegon (pensions), as well as dealing with Foreign Currency Agents – at the bank and with brokers

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Fully qualified Accountant - ACA or ACCA Experience within the Architecture, Design or Creative Sector Managed monthly balance sheet reconciliations Managed production and analysis of financial analysis Managed accounts receivable function and accounts payable functions Successfully managed audit and statutory accounts preparation internationally Experience in using financial systems to automate processing and reporting. Strong analytical skills in financial analysis, cash flow analysis and ability to furnish timely and accurate financial information