Financial Controller - Music (FTC Maternity Cover)

Financial Controller - Music (FTC Maternity Cover)

Global talent management business with offices in the UK and US who represent artists, producers and creatives across music, entertainment and culture are looking for an experienced qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) Financial Controller to cover a period of maternity leave.

You will own the group's month-end, year-end and cash processes, lead a UK team of two, and work closely with our two-person US finance team to deliver accurate, timely consolidated reporting.

This is a hands-on role in a fast-moving, client-focused business. You will keep the finance function running smoothly while helping us build systems that give the business continuity, including our AI-driven process.

Key responsibilities:

Financial reporting and consolidation

• Prepare the monthly consolidated group reporting across UK and US entities.
• Review monthly management accounts and commentary prepared by the team, ensuring accuracy and clear explanation of variances.
• Perform and review intercompany reconciliations, resolving differences with the US team each month.
• Set and maintain global FX rates used for group reporting and consolidation.
• Lead year-end reconciliations and prepare statutory financial statements.

Cash, payments and treasury

• Own group cash management, including cash flow forecasting and daily cash visibility.
• Approve supplier and operational payments in line with authorisation limits.
• Manage the monthly client payment run, ensuring artist and client funds are paid accurately and on time.

Payroll and pensions

• Oversee monthly payroll, reviewing and approving outputs from the payroll provider.
• Manage workplace pension administration, contributions and compliance.

Planning and analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process and periodic reforecasts with senior management.
• Respond to ad hoc senior management requests for analysis, insight and financial information.

Audit and controls

• Plan and manage the annual audit, acting as the main point of contact for external auditors.
• Maintain a strong control environment across approvals, reconciliations and payments.

Process improvement and AI

• Drive finance process efficiency using AI and automation, including the ongoing development of our internal AI finance tool.
• Identify manual processes that can be simplified, documented or automated to support business continuity.

Leadership and collaboration

• Line manage, coach and develop a UK finance team of two, reviewing their work and setting clear priorities each month.
• Work alongside the two-person US finance team as one global function, aligning timetables, processes and reporting standards across time zones.
• Act as a trusted finance partner to senior management, translating numbers into clear, practical advice.
• Build effective relationships with auditors, banks, payroll and pension providers, and other external advisers.

Skills and experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with at least 5 years' post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role.
• Strong track record of multi-entity, multi-currency consolidation, including intercompany and FX.
• Hands-on experience of year-end, statutory accounts and managing an external audit.
• Solid working knowledge of UK payroll and workplace pensions.
• Experience managing and developing a small team.
• Excellent Excel skills and confidence with cloud accounting systems e.g NetSuite.
• Clear communicator, able to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience in music, entertainment, talent management.
• Exposure to US GAAP or working with a US-based finance team.
• Interest in, or experience of, using AI and automation to improve finance processes

Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.