Group Accountant, Contemporary Gallery

We are looking for a Group Accountant to join the team at a commercial gallery in London. This person will be responsible for managing the financial operations across all UK and French sites. This role will focus on the preparation of management accounts, overseeing the day-to-day finance operations, and supporting the Finance Director with strategic financial insights.

Accountant will manage the bookkeeping and accounting support teams, ensuring accurate data collection and financial reporting for all entities, which operate on different accounting systems.

This role is ideal for a proactive finance professional looking to contribute to a dynamic, creative environment, providing vital financial management and support across an international organisation.

Responsibilities include:

• Financial Reporting & Management Accounts: Prepare and consolidate management accounts ensuring accuracy across both accounting systems. Conduct month-end procedures, including departmental cost summaries, variance analysis, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Support the Finance Director in monthly and annual forecasting across the group, providing financial data and analysis to inform strategic planning.
• Cross-Entity Collaboration: Work closely with external accountants in both the UK and France to coordinate compliance and financial reporting.
• Sales Commission & Third-Party Reporting: Prepare monthly sales commission reports for Director review. Oversee third-party payments (both artists and non-artists).
• Intercompany Accounting: Reconcile intercompany balances and manage recharges among the group entities, including cross-entity transactions and intercompany adjustments.
• System Integration & Process Improvement: Assist with the integration and reconciliation between Salesforce and Xero for the UK entities. Ensure accurate VAT application and monthly reconciliation.
• Compliance & Policy Management: Ensure adherence to company policies and compliance with relevant legislation, including AML directives and other regulatory requirements. Regularly review and update internal policies and procedures.
• Team Management: Supervise bookkeepers and accounts assistants, ensuring they collect and process data accurately and manage accounts payable and receivable processes effectively.
• Inventory & Asset Management: Collaborate with the Logistics team to monitor stock levels, coordinating the retrieval and storage of assets within the UK.
• VAT & Tax Compliance: Prepare quarterly VAT returns for the UK and provide necessary data to external accountants for French VAT and tax compliance. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of cross-border VAT rules impacting goods and services sales between the UK and France.
• External Relationship Management: Develop and maintain relationships with external contacts, including landlords, auditors, solicitors, bankers, and statutory organisations such as HMRC and tax authorities.
• Ad-Hoc Support: Assist the Finance Director and other departments as needed with special projects, import tax claims, compliance requests, and any other finance-related duties.

Key skills and qualities required:

• Qualified or Part-Qualified Accountant: Strong experience in producing management accounts, with knowledge of Xero essential; Salesforce experience is a plus.
• Excellent Communicator: Able to convey financial data and concepts to non-financial stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Detail-Oriented & Strategic Thinker: Capable of reconciling complex accounts while contributing strategic insights based on financial analysis.
• Adaptability in a Fast-Paced Environment: Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and  responsibilities, demonstrating resilience and initiative.
• Cross-Border VAT & Tax Knowledge: Experience in managing VAT and tax across different jurisdictions, particularly UK and French regulations, is highly desirable.
• Art Sector & Gallery Experience (Preferred): Familiarity with art gallery operations, the Margin Scheme, Temporary Admission, and customs procedures would be an advantage.
• Salesforce Knowledge: Experience with finance functions in Salesforce, particularly in reconciliation and integration.