About the RoleWe are looking for a collaborative, reliable Finance Manager to report into the Finance Director, and oversee all aspects of the day to day running of the finance function, managing a Finance Apprentice and Billings Assistant.

You will have a strong background in financial management, should be able to multitask, deal with internal and external stakeholders in a professional manner, and assist with the preparation of financial reports. You will have good technical finance knowledge and strong line management skills. An outstanding candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and analytical skills, with experience working in the UK advertising industry, or a trade body within the creative, marketing or advertising industries.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to work across all workstreams within the company. As part of this position, you will be given the opportunity to work from home, and from our Central London office circa two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

About the Advertising Association

Advertising is a key component of the creative economy in the UK and a major service export, crucial for funding sports, media, arts, and culture. The Advertising Association represents advertisers, agencies, and media, promoting responsible advertising and connecting the industry with government on policy matters.

The finance team supports all sub-entities, workstreams, and levels of the AA.

Supporting five multi-currency entities with combined revenue of circa £7million. A varied role supporting well established Advertising Association founded in 1926 and start-ups established in 2022. Income is generated through a range of revenue steams including subscriptions, levy payments, events and accreditation.

Key Responsibilities

This is an essential and busy role, that oversees the finance function across the five entities across the AA trade body group.

The key duties of the role will include:

• Produce accurate and timely financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Analyse financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Monthly tasks including inter-company invoicing, salary journals, pension submissions and reconciliations.
• Collaborate with department heads to align financial goals with operational needs
• Process monthly payroll updates, review and approve.
• Act as a point of contact for external auditors, playing a key role in the annual external audits for all entities.
• Annual tasks including Fixed Asset register, P11D submissions and preparation of financial statements.
• Weekly tasks including review and approve payments in the bank and process the internal timesheets.
• Team leadership and collaboration, including weekly 1-2-1 meetings with Finance Apprentice and Billing Assistant, providing support, training and development.
• Quarterly VAT Returns for all entities.
• Improving processes and implementing policies, improving efficiencies
• Maintaining financial security by following internal controls
• Assisting the Finance Director with budgeting, forecasting and adhoc tasks
• Creating and maintaining spreadsheets

Skills and Experience

Successful candidates will need to demonstrate that they have / are:

• Previous experience as a Finance Manager or similar role within a relevant organisation (of comparable size, structure and/or industry).
• ACCA / CIMA finalist or qualified.
• Strong team management experience, with previous formal line management responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations, accounting principles, and risk management
• Highly organised and able to work to deadlines, prioritising as necessary to manage the workload
• Passionate about quality, detail, and accuracy with the ability to meet the highest standards in their work
• Professional, confident, and able to communicate clearly with non-financial stakeholders
• Strong IT skills (Microsoft Office), particularly Excel
• A positive and motivated mindset, while being able to analyse and challenge areas for improvement
• Budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting experience.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Experience working in the UK advertising industry, or a trade body within the creative, marketing or advertising industries.
• Working knowledge of accounting software Xero
• A proven ability to adapt to a constantly changing fast-paced environment.

If you are an experienced Finance Manager from a relevant organsation and would like to join our close-knit finance team to support the important work of the Advertising Association, then we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please click the button on the right and complete the application form. Please take your time answering the application questions fully, in your own words (not AI*) so we can get to know the real you and why you are right for the role. Cover letters are welcome, but optional, and again, should be your own work, not AI.

Application deadline – Monday 3rd February at 9am.

Location: Central London (Hybrid*)Salary: £50-55k, depending on experience and qualificationsContract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Inclusion at the AA

At the Advertising Association, in addition to the support we give to our members and the industry as a whole, we are on our own journey to make our organisation a more welcoming and inclusive place to work, where everyone can succeed. We strive to recruit people from diverse backgrounds and value the advantages diverse perspectives bring to our work. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of their age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, physical or mental ability.

Benefits: Private medical insurance, 22 days holidays (+Bank holidays, increasing to 25), Enhanced employer pension contributions, Life Assurance and Income Protection, Learning & Development budget, Mobile phone allowance, Company social events.

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