Assistant Finance Manager, TV Production - Stellify

Sony Pictures; Belfast; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading entertainment company in Belfast is seeking an Assistant Production Finance Manager to support financial operations across various projects. Responsibilities include managing budgets, processing payroll, and ensuring compliance with tax obligations. The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of finance experience, strong budgeting skills, and be able to communicate effectively with non-finance colleagues. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow within a creative and dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Around 2-3 years' experience in a finance role, ideally in a project-based or media environment.
• Good working knowledge of UK tax, PAYE, IR35, VAT, and accounting standards.
• Experience with funding reports is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Handle day-to-day finance tasks such as accounts payable and payroll.
• Assist in preparing production budgets and track spending.
• Ensure compliance with tax obligations and audit processes.

Skills

Budgeting and cost-tracking skills

Good communication skills

Proactive and organized

Education

Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Tools

Production finance/accounting tools (e.g., Just TV)

Job description

Please note that this role is based in Northern Ireland. To enable us to meet the statutory and regulatory obligations of the Northern Ireland immigration system, you must have the appropriate immigration permission needed to work and reside in Northern Ireland for the duration of the employment.

About the Role

We’re a busy, fast-moving, creative company with multiple projects in development and production. We’re looking for someone to join our team in an Assistant Production Finance Manager role, helping to keep projects and the business running smoothly from a financial perspective. This is a hands‑on position, working closely with producers and the wider operations team to ensure budgets are accurate, costs are tracked, and processes run efficiently.

We’d love to have someone on board who has experience in production finance, but we are open to training someone who has broad finance experience and is excited about the opportunity to work in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Finance & Production Support

• Handle day‑to‑day finance tasks such as accounts payable / receivable, payroll, credit card reconciliations, procurement card reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and month‑end activities.
• Assist in preparing production budgets alongside producers and track spend against budget throughout the production cycle.
• Maintain cost reports, cashflows, and forecasts, highlighting potential overspend early.
• Process cast / crew payroll, supplier invoices, and expenses accurately and on time.
• Provide support to Production Accountants as needed.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly management accounts and project‑specific reports.
• Contribute to cost reporting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Support reporting for funders, broadcasters, and public bodies (e.g., NI Screen, Sony).
• Assist with post‑production wrap and final cost reporting.
• Help with IR35‑related reporting.

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure day‑to‑day compliance with tax obligations, funding requirements, and audit processes.
• Assist with government returns and external audits.
• Support reporting on sustainability / greenhouse gas requirements when needed.

Process & Team Support

• Help improve finance processes and systems for smoother operations.
• Provide guidance to junior team members or freelancers when required.
• Support producers and development staff with financial queries.

Skills & Experience :

Essential

• Qualified or part‑qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, Accounting Technician) or equivalent experience.
• Around 2–3 years’ experience in a finance role, ideally in a project‑based or media environment.
• Good working knowledge of UK tax, PAYE, IR35, VAT, and accounting standards.
• Strong budgeting and cost‑tracking skills.
• Good communicator—able to explain finance clearly to non‑finance colleagues.
• Proactive, organised, and detail‑oriented.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and productions.

Desirable

• Experience with production finance / accounting tools (e.g., Just TV or similar) but not essential.
• Experience with funding reports (e.g., NI Screen, HMRC tax credits).
• Familiarity with industry contracts, union agreements, or freelancer payroll.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is committed to equal opportunity in all its employment practices, policies, and procedures. No worker or potential worker will therefore receive less favourable treatment due to their race, age, creed, sexual orientation, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, religion, gender, marital status, or Trade Union membership (if applicable).