Job Description

Job TitleDeputy Head of Finance

Responsible toHead of Finance

Responsible forFinancial Accounting and Payroll Teams

The National Theatre

The National Theatre is central to the creative life of the country. In its three theatres on the South Bank in London it presents an eclectic mix of new plays and classics from the world repertoire, with seven or eight productions in repertory at any one time. And through an extensive programme of amplifying activities – Platform performances, backstage tours, foyer music, publications, exhibitions and outdoor events – it recognises that theatre does not begin and end with the rise and fall of the curtain.

Finance Department

The Finance Department is responsible for the NT's accounting, finance and budgeting requirements, including the recording and monitoring of income and expenditure, maintenance of adequate financial controls, preparation of budgets, internal and external financial reporting and compliance with tax and other regulations. The work of the department is varied and includes giving professional financial guidance to other departments; processing payments for set and costumes; ensuring actors and management staff are paid; counting cash from the restaurants, bars and bookshops; and producing statutory accounts to be filed with Companies House.

The Finance Department comprises a team of management accountants, a financial accounting team led by the Senior Financial Accountant and a payroll team. In addition, an element of core financial processing is undertaken within operating departments.

The Deputy Head of Finance has management responsibility for the financial accounting team, the payroll team and the Systems Accountant (13 staff in total).

Purpose of Job

The Deputy Head of Finance has responsibility for ensuring the National Theatre’s accounting and payroll processes, controls and records are managed in accordance with professional standards while being responsive to the needs of the National Theatre. The post holder will also seek to develop systems, controls and processes to ensure that the Finance Department provide an efficient and secure service to internal and external users.

Key Responsibilities

Financial systems, processes and controls

  1. To ensure that the finance systems and processes operate effectively and efficiently and continue to meet the needs of the National. Work with the Senior Financial Accountant, the Systems Accountant, the Payroll and Pensions Manager and the Internal Auditor to deliver this.
  2. To identify and implement IT improvements for the finance systems, in consultation with the Head of IT and the Systems Accountant;
  3. To ensure Finance is involved in IT projects as required including the Catering Till replacement project, Website Development project, Business Intelligence Systems;
  4. To be the Project Sponsor for the implementation of an integrated HR, payroll and time & attendance system in 2011 and to ensure the delivery on time and on budget in line with the objectives of the project in conjunction with the Head of HR.
  5. To work with the Payroll Manager to ensure the transition of Pensions activity from HR takes place and to prepare for the 2012 changes in Pension legislation, in conjunction with HR.
  6. To act as an authorised signatory and process weekly BACS transfers for Payroll and Purchase Ledger.

Financial Accounting and Tax

  1. To take responsibility for tax issues including VAT and Gift Aid.
  2. To take responsibility for payroll tax issues and regular reviews of payroll tax treatment including employment status and PSA.
  3. To work with the Development department in relation to Gift Aid and VAT issues in relation to sponsorship contracts, membership schemes and fundraising events.
  4. To lead the preparation of the Financial Statements, including the application of accounting standards, the resolution of audit issues and preparation of the SORP, reconciling to the Management Accounts as appropriate.
  5. To review and maintain accounting in relation to restricted reserves.
  6. To ensure expenditure is capital expenditure within the capitalisation guidance and support the Assistant Management Accountant in relation to maintaining the Asset Register where required.

Compliance

  1. To lead the relationship with the external auditors in the finance area and tax consultants as appropriate.
  2. To play an active role in the Data Protection Working group and the Compliance group.

Management of Finance Team

  1. To line manage the Senior Financial Accountant, Payroll Manager and Systems Accountant.
  2. To manage and develop the Financial Accounting and Payroll teams (currently 13 staff), including through individual objective setting and performance management, regular 1:1 and team meetings, and identification of training needs. To lead on recruitment where required.
  3. To evaluate priorities for the Finance department and agree key objectives and an action plan with the Head of Finance.
  4. To deputise for the Head of Finance when required.

Other

  1. To support the National’s communications objectives by sharing information with your manager, team and colleagues as appropriate, whilst respecting confidentiality, so that you and your colleagues have all the information you need to perform your duties effectively.
  2. To comply with the National Theatre’s Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety and other policies at all times; and
  3. To carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required.

Person Specification

The post holder must have the following:

Professional Experience

  1. A professional accountancy qualification (ACA or ACCA) and relevant post qualification financial accounting experiencein a commercial or not for profit organisation.
  2. Strong working knowledge and experience of financial reporting and preparation of statutory accounts. Experience of SORP would be desirable but is not essential.
  3. Strong working knowledge of taxation issues (particularly Income Tax, NI, and VAT) and the ability to broaden that knowledge as required.
  4. A good working knowledge and recent experience of the use of information technology in financial management and the ability to apply that experience to develop and improve the finance systems at the National Theatre.

Change Management and Process Improvement

  1. The ability to critically appraise the financial systems, processes and controls, and identify and implement changes to the processes and procedures to strengthen the control environment across the National Theatre and increase efficiency of the team;
  2. Strong organisational and time management skills.
  3. Creative and innovative thinking in relation to problem solving;
  4. Resilience and an ability to work on own initiative and effectively as part of a team.

Staff Management and Communication

  1. Proven experience of managing staff with the ability to encourage and motivate, creating an open and positive environment to enable people to succeed whilst ensuring effective and efficient running of the department.
  2. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to deal effectively with people at all levels of the NT. The ability to lead and influence others;
  3. Excellent customer service and the ability to deliver a customer service culture within the team;
  4. The ability to work well under pressure and a proven ability to manage and meet conflicting deadlines.

Other

  1. An understanding of equal opportunity and cultural diversity issues in the delivery of our services;
  2. An understanding of contemporary issues in financial management in the arts sector or the interest and ability to assimilate these rapidly;
  3. The successful applicant will be required to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and appointment to this post is subject to the NT being in receipt of a satisfactory CRB Disclosure, under section 115 of the Police Act 1997.

Smoking Policy

Please note that the National Theatre is a no-smoking building.

Alcohol Policy

All NT staff are expected to remain alcohol free during working hours and take personal responsibility for presenting themselves in a fit state for work i.e. alcohol free.

Outline of Terms and Conditions

Title of Post:Deputy Head of Finance

Hours:35 hours per week, 10:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday, although additional hours may be necessary to fulfil the requirements of the post.

Salary:£48,000 per annum, paid by credit transfer on the 15th of each month

Annual Leave:28 days in the first year, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service thereafter.

Probationary Period:3 months

Notice Period:1 month during probationary period, increasing to 3 months on satisfactory completion of probationary period.

Pension:The National Theatre operates a Stakeholder Pension scheme with Legal & General. If you choose to become a member, the National will currently make a pension contribution of 4.5% of basic salary into your plan after you have successfully completed your probationary period. This contribution will be made even if you choose not to make a personal contribution. If you choose to make a personal contribution of at least 0.5% of basic salary into your pension scheme, the National will increase its contribution to 5% of basic salary.

Other Benefits:

complimentary tickets for performances, subject to availability and the National Theatre’s staff ticket policy

staff canteen

discount for meals in the National Theatre’s two restaurants, Mezzanine and Terrace Café, subject to discount policy

discount on the majority of books and play texts available from the National Theatre’s bookshop, subject to discount policy

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted on the National’s standard application form, and returned by 12pm on Monday 17th January 2011 using one of the following methods:

E-mail:

(quoting Deputy Head of Finance in the subject line)

Fax:020 7452 3270

Post:HR Department, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX

The National Theatre is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer

HR Department

December 2010