Financial Controller

ArtsEd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ArtsEd is seeking a senior finance leader to oversee the day-to-day activities of the finance department and support the Director of Finance and Operations. You will manage the preparation of management accounts, annual accounts, and external audits while ensuring robust internal controls and accurate financial reporting.

You will lead payroll, oversee fee invoicing, bursary validation, and budgeting processes, with regular governance reporting and VAT/compliance duties.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of Termly Management Accounts for review with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Oversee annual accounts preparation in line with charity law and company law.
• Coordinate external audit and liaise with auditors during their work.
• Ensure reporting meets statutory and regulatory standards.
• Reconcile balance sheet control accounts and maintain audit trails.
• Prepare and reconcile Fee Schedule with Management and Financial accounts.
• Lead invoicing for fees and implement in-year changes accurately.
• Validate bursaries and advise management accordingly.
• Manage payroll and monthly payroll adjustments, including pensions.
• Lead payroll and salary expense changes with proper approvals.
• Support budgeting processes and provide guidance on financial queries.
• Provide regular actual vs. budget information to management.
• Attend Finance Committee meetings and take minutes as required.
• Participate in governance meetings with Trustees when appropriate.
• Assist with OFS return and quarterly VAT reconciliations.
• Meet weekly with the Director to discuss financial issues and opportunities.
• Mentor and motivate finance staff; review and implement new financial systems.

Skills

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Management accounting

Payroll

Internal controls

Audit liaison

Treasury

Education

CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA qualified

Degree in Finance or Accounting

Tools

ERP software

MS Excel

Job description

The main purpose of the role is to lead and supervise the day-to-day activities of the finance department, provide support to the Director of Finance and Operations and operational management in the analysis and understanding of the management and financial accounts, and to review and improve internal financial controls and financial processes and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the preparation of the Termly Management Accounts for discussion with the Director of Finance and Operations.
• Oversee preparation of the company’s annual accounts in accordance with company and charity law.
• Make appropriate arrangements for an annual external audit and liaising with the auditors during their audit work.
• Ensure reporting meets compliant standards with statutory law and financial regulations.
• Ensuring all balance sheet control accounts are correctly reconciled and that there is a detailed audit trail at each balance sheet date.
• Prepare and maintain the Fee Schedule and reconcile to Management and Financial accounts.
• Take lead responsibility for Fee invoicing to make sure all fees are raised correctly and in a timely manner and that all in year changes are correctly implemented.
• Take lead responsibility for the validation of Bursaries and advising management as appropriate.
• Manage the payroll and approval of any monthly payroll adjustments for staff including pension contributions.
• Take lead responsibility for payroll and salary related expenses, ensuring all changes are appropriately authorised and approved.
• Actively participate in the Budget process preparing prior year information for guidance for presentation to the those charged with governance.
• Support Management with guidance and instruction on all financial queries and best practice.
• Provide management with regular actual v. budget information.
• Attend all Finance Committee meetings with the Director of Finance and Operations and to take minutes at the meeting if required.
• Attend such other meetings with management and Trustees as may be appropriate.
• Assist in the completion of the OFS return.
• Assist in the completion and reconciliation of the quarterly VAT returns.
• Meeting with the Director of Finance and Operations on a regular weekly basis to discuss financial and other related issues and to advise of possible financial problems, opportunities, or upcoming issues.
• Manage, mentor, and motivate the finance department staff.
• Reviewing financial systems and leading the implementation of new developments as appropriate.
• Any other tasks as might be reasonably requested.