London, UK
Finance manager
at 6a Architects
There is an opportunity for a finance manager at 6a Architects to join its team in London.
Job description
We are looking for a finance manager position to join the award-winning, environmentally and socially driven architectural design studio based in central London. This forward-thinking practice, is seeking an experienced finance manager or controller, to work alongside its operations team, to maintain and administer the practice’s finances and spearhead its long-term growth plans.
6a Architects was founded by Stephanie Macdonald and Tom Emerson and in 2001 and has since won an international reputation for its award-winning cultural, educational and residential projects, with re-use and ecology central to their designs. In 2020, Domus ranked the practice among the 50 best architecture firms in the world. Projects include the RIBA National Award-winning Raven Row and the South London Gallery, the Stirling Prize shortlisted photographic studio for Juergen Teller and more recently, the expansion of MK Gallery, named by The Observer in 2019 as the best building of the year. As well as flagship international stores for JW Anderson and CARA New York, a new charitable exhibition centre addressing equity in the arts.
6a is a friendly and collaborative studio of around 25 architects, designers and administrators. It is currently leading the design for a major transformation of the Tate Liverpool landmark gallery on Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, a new Fashion Museum in Bath and has won an international competition for an ecologically led restoration of a post-industrial waterfront site that includes the integration of 15,000sqm of sustainable timber housing in Malmö, Sweden. Macdonald and Emerson were both awarded OBE’s in 2021 and elected Royal Academicians in 2023. The practice is published internationally.
Job details:
- pay: £50,000-£55,000 p.a. depending on experience
- job type: full-time (four-day week considered)
- benefits company pension
Full job description
As a finance manager at the studio, you will be pivotal in ensuring the smooth functioning of financial processes. From managing the day-to-day bookkeeping, accounts receivable and payable to spearheading financial planning and analysis, you’ll play a crucial role in maintaining the financial health of the business. Additionally, you’ll be instrumental in driving digital transformation initiatives to automate and streamline the studio’s finance operations.
Finance manager position overview
In your day-to-day, you’ll oversee various financial activities, including managing our financial accounting systems in Xero, ensuring timely reconciliation of accounts, and executing month-end processes accurately. You’ll collaborate closely with accountants to ensure compliance with tax regulations and timely preparation of statutory accounts.
Handling all day-to-day bookkeeping, including accounts receivable and payable will be part of your routine, as well as reviewing payroll processes, handled by a third party, managing supplier invoices, client invoicing, expense payments and quarterly VAT returns.
You’ll also assist the director of operations in preparing budgets and forecasts. As well as preparing and maintaining the 12-month rolling cash flow and monitoring the working capital requirements of the business. You will play a vital role in our financial planning and analysis.
Your contributions will extend to providing insightful business performance reports and analyses, leveraging tools like Rapport3 and Xero.
Expertise in accounting software – demonstrated proficiency in using accounting software, particularly Xero. Ability to navigate and utilise advanced features for financial reporting, reconciliation and analysis.
Financial analysis and planning – strong analytical skills with experience in preparing budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections. Ability to interpret financial data to inform strategic decision-making.
Preparation of timely and accurate monthly management accounts and presentation of this with relevant variance and KPI analysis to the directors.
Experience in liaising with external accountants to ensure timely and accurate preparation of statutory accounts and tax returns.
Process improvement and automation – poven ability to identify inefficiencies in finance operations and implement process improvements or automation solutions. Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools to drive digital transformation initiatives.
Communication and collaboration – excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly and effectively. Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders. Flexible communication style to work with the creative and non-financial team.
Finance manager position requirements:
- an accountancy qualification such as ACCA or CIMA preferred
- architectural, design or construction practice experience preferred, but not essential, though a keen interest in design and the arts is a must
- proficiency in accounting software, especially Xero
- strong IT literacy, with the ability to navigate reporting and workflow software, Rapport3 or similar
- a desire to be proactive in partnering with the creative team to grow the business
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- a collaborative mindset and a team-oriented approach
- detail-orientated
- adaptability
- integrity and ethics
How to apply
Applications are invited via the apply for job button below to Florence Losasso before 9 August 2024. Applications made following this date may be considered at discretion.
Candidates should include; a short letter outlining their motivation and relevant experience, and a detailed CV.
Successful applicants will be informed of interviews on a rolling basis from mid-August 2024.
6a encourages applications from women and under-represented groups.