At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage finance operations, bookkeeping, payroll, and HR queries in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Zeal, a creative company delivering lighting and visual productions for events.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, hybrid work, competitive salary, and supportive team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to use AI tools to enhance productivity.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact while working with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in bookkeeping and payroll; HR knowledge is a bonus.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 42000 € per year.
Fixed‑term sick leave cover, 30 hours, flexible | hybrid | Basingstoke
About the role (and us)
We’re hiring a Finance & Office Manager to cover for a member of our team who’s on long-term sick leave. It’s a real role with real responsibility, and we’re being thoughtful about how we set it up – because that’s how we’d want to be treated, and because we want to attract the best person we can.
A bit about us: Zeal designs and delivers lighting and visual productions under one roof – for music tours, festivals, live events, fashion, and attractions. We’re a team of around 20, based in Basingstoke. We’re known for being meticulous, imaginative, and a genuinely good place to work.
The role is the backbone of how Zeal runs day-to-day:
- Bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, year‑end, management reporting, insurance, compliance, HR admin, and being the warm, organised person the team comes to with the everyday questions that keep a small company moving.
You’d work directly with our MD (Steve), our accountants at Lane Monnington Welton, and the wider team.
What you’d do:
- Day‑to‑day bookkeeping in Xero, with Dext and ApprovalMax doing a lot of the heavy lifting
- Overseeing the automated accounts payable and receivable flow
- Running monthly payroll
- Preparing and filing quarterly VAT returns
- Supporting our accountants on year‑end
- Preparing management reports and cashflow forecasts
Office & operations:
- General company administration – insurance renewals, compliance filings
- First port of call for the team’s HR queries – holiday, sickness, records, onboarding paperwork
- Keeping the company running smoothly behind the scenes
Who you might be:
- You’re confident with bookkeeping and payroll
- VAT returns aren’t new to you
- You’re organised and take pride in getting things right
- You’re warm with people and enjoy being the person someone comes to with a question
- You’re curious about how AI tools can take repetitive work off your plate
- HR experience is a bonus, not essential
The shape of the role:
- Salary: £37,000‑£42,000 FTE (pro‑rata for the hours you do)
- Hours: Around 30 a week, worked flexibly
- Where: Hybrid, 1‑2 days a week in our Basingstoke office
- Term: Fixed‑term cover for long‑term sick leave, expected to last at least 6 months, likely up to 12, with the possibility of extension
- Start: As soon as you can
- Reports to: Steve, our MD
Something we care about:
We’re out to create more imaginative and emotive moments for everyone, and we celebrate diversity amongst our audiences and our team. We are committed to inclusion and equality across race, gender, sexuality, age, religion, identity, and experience.
Finance & Office Manager in Basingstoke employer: Zeal
At Zeal, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and imaginative workplace where creativity thrives. As a Finance & Office Manager in our Basingstoke team, you'll enjoy flexible working hours and a hybrid model that promotes work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development. We value meticulousness and warmth, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our vibrant culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance & Office Manager in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company before your interview! Check out Zeal's projects and values. This way, you can show how your skills in bookkeeping and payroll align with their mission. Plus, it’ll help you feel more confident when chatting with Steve and the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around management reporting and VAT returns. We want you to sound like a pro! Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your organisational skills and how you handle HR queries.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the company. You could ask about how they use AI tools or what a typical day looks like for the Finance & Office Manager at Zeal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance & Office Manager in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance & Office Manager role. Highlight your bookkeeping and payroll experience, and don’t forget to mention any familiarity with Xero or similar tools. We want to see how you fit into our world!
Craft a Personal Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share why you’re excited about joining our team at Zeal and how your skills can help us keep things running smoothly. Be warm and personable – we love that vibe!
Showcase Your Organisational Skills:In your application, give examples of how you’ve kept things organised in previous roles. Whether it’s managing payroll or handling HR queries, we want to know how you sweat the small stuff and keep everything on track.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything in one place and makes it easier for us to review your application. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zeal
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your bookkeeping and payroll skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with Xero, VAT returns, and management reports. Showing confidence in these areas will demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Show Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples of how you've kept things running smoothly in previous roles. Whether it’s managing HR queries or ensuring compliance, having specific instances ready will highlight your organisational prowess and attention to detail.
✨Be Warm and Approachable
Since this role involves being the go-to person for the team, practice conveying warmth and approachability during the interview. Think about how you can make others feel listened to and valued, as this is key to fitting into their team culture.
✨Embrace AI Tools
Familiarise yourself with AI tools that can streamline repetitive tasks. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used technology to improve efficiency in your work. This shows that you’re not only capable but also forward-thinking, which aligns with their Claude-first approach.
