Role: Senior Accountant / Accounting Manager
Sector: Theatre, Performing Arts & Production
Permanent: Full Time; Hybrid (min 1 day/week in the office)
Location: West End, London
Salary: circa £70,000 pa
Ref :VFR3208
About our client
Our client a boutique accountancy firm providing specialist financial management and reporting services for performing arts sector; working with household names and supporting high-profile West End productions, national tours, and international shows.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Accountant / Accounting Manager to oversee a portfolio of productions and lead a small team of accountants. This role is pivotal in ensuring the smooth financial management of multiple high-profile productions while maintaining strong client relationships. You will provide technical guidance, support your team in day-to-day tasks, and focus on higher-level responsibilities such as year-end processes, compliance, and client advisory work.
The successful candidate will be hands-on when needed and able to step in to cover core accounting tasks. Experience in theatre production accounting is essential.
Key Responsibilities:
- Portfolio and team oversight: Supervise and review the work of production accountants across multiple shows.
- Year-end processes: Prepare and review year-end working papers, assist with audits, and ensure compliance with statutory and tax requirements (including Theatre Tax Relief claims).
- Client relationship management: Act as the primary point of contact for key clients, maintaining strong relationships and providing expert advice.
- Team development: Provide guidance and training to junior accountants, fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.
- Process improvement: Implement best practices in financial reporting and ensure consistency across client portfolios.
- Advisory support: Advise clients on structuring, tax implications, and other financial considerations specific to theatre productions.
- Hands-on cover when needed: Ability to step in and perform core accounting duties such as:
- Preparation of weekly production accounts and monthly management reports
- Bank reconciliations and VAT returns
- Payroll reconciliation and royalty statements
The Ideal Candidate:
- Significant experience in theatre production accounting is essential.
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience.
- Proven track record of managing client relationships and leading teams.
- Excellent technical knowledge of accounting principles and UK tax compliance, including Theatre Tax Relief.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel; Sage 50 Accounts experience preferred.
What’s on offer:
- Flexible hybrid working (minimum one day per week in-office).
- Opportunity to work on major West End, national and international productions.
- A leadership role within a growing, specialist firm.
- Competitive salary.
If you have a passion for theatre and the expertise to manage complex accounting processes at the highest level, we’d love to hear from you.
VisionFR is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, inclusion and eliminating unlawful discrimination within our workforce and whilst fulfilling our Client recruitment needs.
Due to the high level of applications being received if you do not hear from us within 5 working days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion, usually due to other candidates having more relevant sector exposure, qualifications or required skills. We thank you for your interest.
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