Financial Controller

The Financial Controller is a key role within the agency, managing proactively Film London’s accounts, budgets and financial systems ensuring that they are accurate and up to date. The post is responsible for financial reporting to the Trustees, to our funders (regional, national and EU) as well as Trusts and Foundation. The Financial Controller ensures that Film London’s financial systems and controls are robust and that Film London is legally compliant with regards to its financial reporting. They are expected to work proactively with the senior management team. 

The Financial Controller will report to the Chief Operating Officer who in turn reports to the Chief Executive.  They will be supported by the Finance Officer and work closely with the Senior Finance Consultant.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Management Accounting

• Produce bi-monthly management accounts for use by management and directors. This includes the overseeing / carrying out of all control account reconciliations and the completion of other month end procedures. Prepare a written summary of the accounts to assist relevant users’ understanding of the issues identified in the accounts.
• Oversee the processing of all financial transactions, ensuring adequate documentary support, correct nominal coding and appropriate authorisation, such that the accounts system accurately reflects the financial position of Film London.
• Work proactively with the senior management team and project managers, to ensure that the departmental and project budgets and forecasts reflect the activity as well as meet the on-going needs of Film London, ensuring these are compliant with contractual requirements. This will require monthly review and planning meetings with Senior Managers and project leaders. 
• Plan annual budget ensuring that it is robust, realistic and consistent with the principle of public accountability.  
• Prepare long-term forecasts of financial and other activity, ensuring that reserves are maintained at adequate levels for proposed levels of activity, and that planned activity does not outstrip the budget set for the year.
• Work with the COO to increase Film London’s commercial income and devise strategies for strengthening the company’s sustainability year on year.
• Work with the Head of Sponsorship to assess sponsorship income and forecasts.

Financial Accounting

• Prepare annual statutory accounts for the company audit as well as specific project audits and other regulatory visits as required. Liaise with Film London auditors in the audit of Film London’s accounts including project audits and provide information as necessary. 
• Maintain awareness of legislative reporting changes to ensure that policies meet current requirements.
• Approve and oversee monthly, quarterly and annual returns to be submitted to funders such as the BFI, the GLA and the Arts Council England as well as to other project funding agencies, detailing relevant income and expenditure.
• Approve quarterly calculation and journals for VAT return before final submission.

Legal Compliance (Finance) 

• Ensure that Film London meets all legal requirements and filing deadline in relation to direct/indirect taxation, Companies House, Charity Commision.
• Prepare and file Film London’s annual returns to the Charity Commission and Companies House. 
• Work with the COO to identify and mitigate key risks to the Charity and contribute to Film London’s Risk Register. 

Payroll

• Prepare monthly payroll and journals before they are inputted into SAGE.
• Prepare pension data before it is submitted to the pension provider.  Oversee journals and reconciliation of the pension control account.

Cash Management

• Monitor all cash balances on a monthly basis.
• Review 12-month cash flow forecast prepared by the Finance Officer.
• Oversee weekly supplier payment run. 

Other Duties

• Day to day management responsibility of the Finance Officer.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential:

• Qualified accountant.
• Strong IT skills and proficiency with Sage 50, including project accounting, and other key software like Excel, Word and Microsoft Outlook.
• Several years of strong controls experience.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Good presentation skills, both written and oral.
• Excellent administrative skills and an ability to work to deadlines.
• Knowledge of public sector and charity compliance.
• Experience of financial reporting to central and local government agencies.
• Team player.

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of and/or interest in the film and TV industry.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Charity SORP and ideally from a charity background.

KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Place of work

Film London’s offices are The Arts Building, Morris Place, London N4 3JG. Travel around London may be required. Costs for travel required by work will be reimbursed. 

Hours and workload

Time off in lieu will be possible in respect of hours worked over the standard week of 40 hours (inclusive of lunch breaks). Time off in lieu will not be allowed to accrue across leave years. Occasional work on weekends and / or evenings may be required. 

Holidays

All staff will be entitled to 25 days paid holiday in addition to public and bank holidays in each leave year (1 April to 31 March). Not more than 5 days unused holiday entitlement will be rolled into subsequent years unless at the express authorisation of the Board and no payment will be made for unused leave.

Notice

The termination of the post will be subject to two calendar months’ notice on either side.

Probationary Period

The first three months will be a probationary period.

APPLYING FOR THE POST

For further details and an application form got to www.filmlondon.org.uk/vacancies. Please post completed forms to Personnel, Film London, The Arts Building, Morris Place, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JG or email them to jobs@filmlondon.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 9am, 7th May 2019.
Interviews will be held Tuesday 14th May 2019

It is the policy of Film London to promote and integrate equality of opportunity into all aspects of its business, including its appointment of staff. We wish to ensure that Film London reflects the diversity of the communities in which it works. We welcome applications from groups currently under-represented including Black, Asian and Chinese and other ethnic minority groups, and disabled people.