Finance Manager

What makes Neg Earth different and what we can offer you Founded in 1983 by Dave & Pip Ridgway, Neg Earth Lights is a family‑owned lighting and rigging equipment supplier for the entertainment industry. We are based at our purpose‑built state‑of‑the‑art facilities in Park Royal, London. Every day is different and brings new and exciting challenges. We have a commitment to a sustainable live events and touring industry, one that sparks real emotions and long‑lasting memories whilst creating a sense of belonging for our team. With over 40 years’ experience of investing in the latest equipment, in our people, and in our relationships, we encourage ingenuity, creativity, and the exploration of new ways to collaborate. From concept to delivery, our team wear our reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability as a badge of honour. We seek to invest in the latest and best equipment and ensure everything, from flight cases to truss is maintained to the highest standard. We are forward thinking and flexible, making the complex, simple and the simple, exceptional. No matter the size or scale of the project we take pride in our consistency and customer focused approach. For us, your training and development takes centre stage, from your first day to your last we will encourage and support you throughout your career development. Our NELL Academy training programmes support your wellbeing and ensure you have the skills and knowledge to excel in your role. Our Leadership programmes enable our managers to help you succeed and our competencies guide your development and realise your full potential. We create an inspirational environment rewarding employees for their hard work. With us, everything is possible, and we strive to ensure every member of our team can take pride in their delivery of projects and promoting creative solutions.

About You & the Role: The purpose of this role is to provide ‘hands on’ management of the finance operations including the development of the Finance Team. We’re looking for someone who will quickly be able to demonstrate a commercial understanding of the business and be instrumental in the continuous improvement of finance operations and their integration within the business. In overseeing accounting procedures, preparation of forecasts, budgets together with risk analysis, you will add value by providing accurate financial data and records. Combining your financial expertise and strong commercial acumen you will assist senior management in making critical business decisions. This role will be responsible for overseeing the successful completion of monthly payroll processing activities and reporting. This role needs someone with a real ‘can do’ approach who can align themselves with Neg Earth Values.

Your Duties: You’ll play an essential part in your team and company success story by efficiently and effectively carrying out duties including:

• Developing finance operations by leading, developing and motivating the team.
• Reviewing and improving finance team operations and any finance related cross‑company processes and policies. Inclusive of all Finance specific and inter‑departmental processes, such as payroll processing.
• Managing all financial activities related to the month and year end processes and preparation of monthly P&L, balance sheet and cash flow, complete with commentary and analysis and recommendations for action.
• Managing monthly financial records for senior management and provision of statutory required reporting and reviewing the performance with senior management, contributing to improved outcomes.
• Acting as the custodian of the business' cash; including the preparation of the cashflow forecast and ensuring employees, trade suppliers and sub‑contractors are paid in accordance with payment terms and contractual agreements.
• Working alongside the FD to oversee and control the business' cashflow/position, funding and investment needs, and transactions, including foreign currency management, business expenditures and respective treasury reporting.
• Oversee the successful completion of monthly payroll processing activities and reporting, including any associated coordination with managers and the People & Culture Team.
• Ensuring to provide adequate cover on payroll processing in the event of absences.
• Assisting the FD with the management of commercial banking relationships and ensuring an appropriate credit resource is available on competitive terms.
• Supporting the scheduling of payments and ensuring all outstanding direct project costs are charged.
• Working to resolve payment defaults. Providing analysis and resolving issues. Liaising with 3rd parties where necessary.
• Assisting the FD and MD in managing the investment portfolio, developing, and monitoring the capex budget, and ensuring the accuracy of the fixed asset register.
• Providing detailed project level financial performance analysis, recommending actions which will support improvements to the bottom line.
• Working with senior managers to develop budgets and a monthly scorecard showing KPIs against budget and support senior managers in the development of KPI’s for all business areas.
• Conducting financial risk assessments and advising on ways to minimize risk, providing recommendations for best practices.
• Contributing to the Business Continuity plan.
• Managing the audit process and liaising with external personnel.
• Business partnering with internal and external stakeholders.

Standard Companywide Responsibilities: Any other duties as required / authorised by your Line Manager / Line Management reporting line. Comply with all Health and Safety requirements. Comply with all Policies and Procedures. Ensuring that work areas are kept in a clean and tidy manner at all times.

Your Skills, Qualifications and Experience Essential: A qualified accountant (ACCA or CIMA) with proven experience as a Finance Manager. Extensive experience of Sage 200 (finance package) and Sage 50 (payroll). Experience in managing a team. Analytical problem solver with the ability to manipulate complex data and create financial models. Advance Excel and data modelling. Strong communication & presentation skills, demonstrating the ability to present information to a range of audiences Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and adapt to rapid change and deliver to multiple deadlines. Ability to work autonomously whilst being a real team player. Willingness to take ownership and accountability Ability to plan ahead, organise, prioritise, delegate and oversee workload. Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, demonstrating resilience, flexibility and ability to maintain positive relationships. Can‑do positive attitude Great communication skills. Advanced MS Office applications skills– Outlook, Excel, Word.

Desirable: Experience within a family‑owned business. Experience implementing new finance systems and integrations.