Finance Manager

Arts Council England; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Arts Council England in Exeter is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the day-to-day finance function, ensuring accurate financial records, robust controls and timely reporting to the Head of Finance.

The role oversees the finance team and core processes, maintaining effective controls across accounting records, reconciliations, payments, income and payroll, with a focus on supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial decision-making.

Qualifications

• AAT qualification or equivalent relevant experience is required.
• Experience with computerised accounting systems.
• Experience producing VAT returns.
• Experience reviewing payroll and related controls.
• Experience preparing or reviewing management information and financial reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent IT skills, with high-level Excel proficiency.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Proven ability to prioritise a complex workload.
• Experience supervising and supporting staff.

Responsibilities

• The Finance Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management and operation of the organisation's finance function, working closely with the Head of Finance to ensure that financial information is accurate, timely and robust.
• The Finance Manager will oversee the finance team and the organisation's core financial processes, maintain effective financial controls and ensure that accounting records, reconciliations, payments, income, payroll and statutory financial requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• The role will provide the Head of Finance with accurate and timely financial information, analysis and supporting schedules to enable effective management of the organisation's finances, including management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and financial decision-making.
• As part of our commitment to inclusion, we are working to widen the pool of people who hear about vacancies at the theatre and make the process of applying for a job as straightforward as possible.

Skills

Computerised accounting

Payroll control experience

Management reporting

VAT returns experience

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Education

AAT qualification

Part-qualified accountant

Tools

Excel

Job description

Wed, 28 Oct 2026">published - Wed, 28 Oct 2026

Job Summary

The Finance Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management and operation of the organisation’s finance function, working closely with the Head of Finance to ensure that financial information is accurate, timely and robust.

Job Description

The Finance Manager will oversee the finance team and the organisation's core financial processes, maintain effective financial controls and ensure that accounting records, reconciliations, payments, income, payroll and statutory financial requirements are completed accurately and on time.

The role will provide the Head of Finance with accurate and timely financial information, analysis and supporting schedules to enable effective management of the organisation's finances, including management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and financial decision-making.

• Financial Operations & Team Management
• Financial Reporting & Management Information
• Financial Accounting & Compliance
• Grants, Funds & Income Management
• Payroll, Tax & Treasury
• Wider Organisational Support

Job Requirements

Essential

• AAT qualified, part-qualified accountancy qualification or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience of working with a computerised accounting system.
• Experience in producing VAT returns.
• Experience of reviewing payroll and related controls.
• Experience of preparing or reviewing management information and financial reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent IT skills, with proven high-level skills in Excel.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Proven ability to prioritise a complex workload.
• Experience of supervising and supporting staff.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience of improving financial controls.
• Experience of working within the charity sector.
• Experience working within the arts/theatre sector.
• Experience of complex VAT partial exemption calculations.
• Experience of preparing or supporting Theatre Tax Relief claims
• Experience of fund accounting, restricted grants or grant-funded organisations.

Job Responsibilities

The Finance Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management and operation of the organisation's finance function, working closely with the Head of Finance to ensure that financial information is accurate, timely and robust.

The Finance Manager will oversee the finance team and the organisation's core financial processes, maintain effective financial controls and ensure that accounting records, reconciliations, payments, income, payroll and statutory financial requirements are completed accurately and on time.

The role will provide the Head of Finance with accurate and timely financial information, analysis and supporting schedules to enable effective management of the organisation's finances, including management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and financial decision-making.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we are working to widen the pool of people who hear about vacancies at the theatre and make the process of applying for a job as straightforward as possible.