Senior Finance Manager / Financial Controller

Working at Audience

Designers of award-winning, record-breaking brand experiences. We are a creative engagement agency using evidence-based, human-centred design to create real-world and digital experiences.

We work with brands and businesses to push the boundaries of what’s possible, keeping human connectivity at the centre and going beyond IRL restrictions.

Recent awards include C&IT—Best Agency 2024.

Since opening our doors in 2014, we have worked with some of the world’s most loved brands, companies and countries in the UK and beyond.

Our values

Impactful: strategic effectiveness, standout creativity and innovation.

As a team, we are driven by finding solutions, being perceptive to client needs, and sparking connections with audiences.

United: inclusivity, teamwork, honesty, accountability and integrity.

As a workplace, we strive to empower individual voices and respect each other. We invest in staff growth to promote professional skills and nurture an inclusive environment to ensure all team members feel welcome regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.

Rock solid: detail-focused execution, clear communication, memorable results.

We ensure we are dependable across strategy, creativity, and production in our project delivery, delighting with excellence at every stage.

The team

At Audience, our team are versatile and hands-on; as a company, we value the following skills and qualities:

• Open communication style and accountable attitude
• Proactive problem solver
• Self-motivated and comfortable working both independently and as part of a larger team
• Close attention to detail no matter what the task
• Prioritising tasks thoughtfully and assigning resources accordingly
• Comfortable working across multiple account teams and multiple projects simultaneously
• Willing to ask questions, highlight support needs and make suggestions

The agency has four departments:

• Clients & Strategy (Client servicing, Strategy) - led by C&S Director
• Product Operations (Production and Studio) - led by C&S Director
• New Business Development and Marketing - led by MD
• HQ (Operations, Finance, HR) - lead by Finance Controller

Key Responsibilities

The business currently manages its finances through Xero and its projects through Paprika and is seeking to increase its financial management accountability through the improvement of our systems, processes and analysis.

Key to your success will be your ability to educate and empower other team members to follow the processes you define and insist upon.

Success in the role will be measured by the seamless integration of strict but user-friendly financial processes through every aspect of the business, and the timely delivery of management information that will allow confident, clear and decisive decision-making on tactical and strategic levels.

• Short, mid and long-term financial planning (with Directors and the Senior Team)
• Monthly management accounts preparation and reporting including P&L and balances
• Month End reporting and analysis of KPIs including recovery of time, staff utilisation, client profitability
• Ownership of Board Pack for SLT / Board of Directors containing performance data and analysis including comparisons with commentary and KPIs
• Preparing and managing cash flow projections including managing cashflow financing if required
• Credit control and payment management including banking management and reconciliations
• Pro-active analysis and recommendations related to numbers and commercial performance to improve business performance and internal efficiency.
• Management of the internal finance team (currently one Junior Management Accountant) and potential wider operational role supervision
• Definition, improvement, implementation and training of Paprika, finance systems and processes for the department and wider team to drive accuracy, consistency and profitability
• Support Department Heads and the wider team to pro-actively promote the role of finance and ensure accurate and timely data collection and the team’s compliance with the Audience’s finance processes, consistent budget planning, timely and accurate reconciliations, project GP and NP monitoring and improvement, identifying supplier purchasing efficiencies, manage the financial project lifecycle (from start to closure) and be the go-to advisor for these subjects
• Support Directors on procurement management and relations
• Analyse resource performance, highlighting utilisation concerns or opportunities for wider learning
• Analyse project performance, highlighting recovery concerns or opportunities for wider learning
• Management, supervision and oversight of daily transaction management (invoicing, purchase management, supplier management, credit cards, expenses management, forex strategy and management)
• Wider support to the team on: Pipeline management, project budget uploads and project monitoring and reconciliations
• Payroll and pension management with external supplier
• Statutory accounting (including VAT, PAYE, CT & Companies House returns)
• Recommendation for international business operation set-up
• Accountant and other advisor liaison as required and manage these relationships alongside other financial institutions and credit facilities
• Support the Operations team as required
• Ad hoc requests from Directors (as required)
• Short, mid and long-term financial planning (with Directors and the Senior Team)
• Monthly management accounts preparation and reporting including P&L and balances
• Month End reporting and analysis of KPIs including recovery of time, staff utilisation, client profitability
• Ownership of Board Pack for SLT / Board of Directors containing performance data and analysis including comparisons with commentary and KPIs
• Preparing and managing cash flow projections including managing cashflow financing if required
• Credit control and payment management including banking management and reconciliations
• Pro-active analysis and recommendations related to numbers and commercial performance to improve business performance and internal efficiency.
• Management of the internal finance team (currently one Junior Management Accountant) and potential wider operational role supervision
• Definition, improvement, implementation and training of Paprika, finance systems and processes for the department and wider team to drive accuracy, consistency and profitability
• Support Department Heads and the wider team to pro-actively promote the role of finance and ensure accurate and timely data collection and the team’s compliance with the Audience’s finance processes, consistent budget planning, timely and accurate reconciliations, project GP and NP monitoring and improvement, identifying supplier purchasing efficiencies, manage the financial project lifecycle (from start to closure) and be the go-to advisor for these subjects
• Support Directors on procurement management and relations
• Analyse resource performance, highlighting utilisation concerns or opportunities for wider learning
• Analyse project performance, highlighting recovery concerns or opportunities for wider learning
• Management, supervision and oversight of daily transaction management (invoicing, purchase management, supplier management, credit cards, expenses management, forex strategy and management)
• Wider support to the team on: Pipeline management, project budget uploads and project monitoring and reconciliations
• Payroll and pension management with external supplier
• Statutory accounting (including VAT, PAYE, CT & Companies House returns)
• Recommendation for international business operation set-up
• Accountants and other advisor liaisons as required and manage these relationships alongside other financial institutions and credit facilities
• Support the Operations team as required
• Ad hoc requests from Directors (as required)

What we are looking for

We encourage our teams to go through consistent training and self-improvement.

• You are a CIMA/ACCA qualified/part-qualified and experienced Senior Finance Administrator or Controller with adequate experience at this level within a reputable service or media agency
• You have gained experience in an agency environment ideally in the event sector with a focus on time-based billing
• You understand how to make finance empowering to everyone in the business
• You are Xero and Paprika experienced
• You excel at MS Excel
• You know your way around Google Docs and Google Sheets
• Our finance team sit centrally in the office and it is culturally vital to be a north star of stability within a creative setting. You are happy to involve yourself in agency-wide discussions and training and will show an active interest in our projects.
• A mature perspective on business, getting involved with other heads-of-department conversations and steering through the regular HOD cadence.
• You have fantastic time-management skills
• You have experience in time-related business models
• A beacon of accuracy
• You’re able to see the big picture but care about the details simultaneously
• You’re analytical and not afraid to make bold and clear recommendations
• You're driven and results-focused but with empathy for other people, their role and their financial skillset
• Self-motivator

Expect from Us

• The tools to do your job effectively, including your own MacBook and Pixel phone
• A vibrant central London office with free breakfast and generously stocked kitchen
• Bring your dog to work
• Working from home and a home office allowance
• Supportive and friendly work environment with regular team socials, meals, trips and experiences including including away days, summer activities, company birthdays and volunteering days
• Guided career progression and £500 personal training allowance per year
• Life insurance from day 1 and enhanced parental leave once you’ve worked with us for 2 years
• Bupa health insurance
• Cycle-to-work scheme, leased electric car options and eye tests are on us
• Relaxed dress code
• Normal working hours are 9am-6pm but we have flexible start/finish times when you’re in the office, with 5 pm Friday finishes all year round and 4pm summer Fridays
• 20 days holiday pro rata (plus bank holidays) as well as:
• Extra days off between Christmas and New Year (ordinarily around 3/4 days)
• Extra day holiday per year of commitment (up to 5 years)
• Tiered seniority allowance
• Extra day holiday for your birthday, wedding or if you’re moving house

We place a strong emphasis on the well-being of our employees, both physically and mentally. Alongside our flexible working hours and mental health allowance. We also provide access to mental health resources and support networks to ensure that you are supported at every stage of your career with us.

Audience's commitment to equal opportunities

We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups including women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. We believe that a diverse team leads to richer discussions, more innovative solutions, and a stronger company overall. If you have any questions or require accommodations due to a disability or special need, please contact us at jobs@audience.co.uk.