Finance Manager

The Financial Manager will be the "engine room" of the Heaps + Stacks finance function, ensuring total accuracy in our day-to-day accounting while providing the strategic oversight needed to protect our project margins. Reporting directly to and supporting the Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in refining our processes, managing cash flow, and ensuring our compliance and best in class standards are met as we scale.

Success in this role means balancing a "zero-tolerance" approach to financial inaccuracy with the agility required to thrive in a fast-paced creative agency. You will lead by example, providing the data-driven insights that allow our creative and production teams to push boundaries safely and profitably.

ABOUT US

We are a culturally connected, experience agency with Heaps of creative energy and Stacks of strategic thinking and production expertise.

We’re not afraid to be bold. We fuse big ideas, cultural insight, and a playful approach to design experiences that mould what's next.

We do not believe in “one size fits all.” Instead, we come at every brief with a fresh perspective, underpinned by a deep understanding of trends and consumer behaviour. This ensures our solutions are authentic and land ROI, legacy, and fame.

We don’t just create—we collaborate. Our house-style is grounded in long-term partnerships, where we co-create with our clients, taking on their challenges and delivering seamless experiences that resonate.

We work with commercial brands to produce moments which crescendo their marketing calendars. We love what we do, and that passion shows right through the design process and into all physical touchpoints. We join the dots between an array of talented people to create immersive experiences—whether that’s a brand trip, a VIP party, or an all-singing, all-dancing store launch!

Heaps + Stacks is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, where all applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disabilities.

At the core of our agency are our guiding values:

• Imagination - We think beyond the ordinary, inspiring each other to dream big and challenge the status quo.
• Joy - We understand that play and wonder are powerful tools for creating authentic emotional connections with today’s audiences.
• Energy - Shooting for the moon - we thrive in the moment where big ideas are realised. We push the boundaries in search of innovation. 
• Care - We are thoughtful stewards of the brands we partner with, fostering kindness within our team and taking a mindful approach to every project we undertake.

WHO YOU’LL BE WORKING WITH:

Internal: You will report directly into the Head of Finance, supporting them on high-level strategy and board reporting. You will also work cross-functionally with the MD and Directors and wider team to monitor client and project spend, and with the Studio Manager across wider business overheads and investments. 

External: You will manage relationships with our external auditors, HMRC, and our vast network of specialist suppliers and freelancers who are integral to our success.

Line manager: Finance Manager will report into the Head of Finance.

WHATS EXPECTED:

Your duties are included but not limited to the below:

Financial Management & Reporting

• Leading the month-end process, ensuring accurate P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reporting.

Project Oversight & Margin Protection

• Working closely with the production team to monitor live project spend versus initial estimates, flagging variances early to protect agency margins.
• Making sure payments are coming on time from clients 
• Tracking team time on projects - estimated vs actual 
• Overseeing the wrap and reconciliation of all projects, ensuring internal and external wrap meetings have accurate financial data.

Operations & B Corp Compliance

• Managing the payment cycles and contract negotiations for 3rd party suppliers and freelancers 
• Tracking our "Sustainable Supplier Spend" to ensure we meet our B Corp procurement targets.
• Identifying opportunities for new financial systems to simplify and speed up the way we work.

Payroll & Team Health

• Overseeing monthly payroll for our 45+ staff members.
• Working with the Ops team to track sick days, staff retention, and the financial impact of recruitment agency spend.
• Ensuring all financial onboarding for new recruits is complete and compliant.

MORE ABOUT YOU:

• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate complex numbers into actionable insights for non-finance team members.
• Resilience under pressure and the ability to hit tight month-end deadlines without losing accuracy.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE DONE BEFORE:

Qualified: ACCA, CIMA, or ACA qualified with 2+ years of post-qualification experience.

Agency Experience: You have likely worked in a creative, event, or production agency and understand the nuances of project-based accounting and high-volume freelance management.

Tech-Savvy: You have expert-level knowledge of Xero and advanced Excel skills. Experience with project management software (e.g., Synergist, Float) is a significant plus.

Process Builder: You have experience improving financial controls and automating manual tasks to increase efficiency.

SALARY & TIME COMMITMENT

This role is predominantly office based (we imagine at least 2-3 days would be in the office) and we are ideally looking for someone to work full time.

Please note we review salary regularly to make sure the team moves in line with the business as well as their individual efforts! 

WORKING WITH US:

To succeed here, you have to love working at pace. It’s relentless, but we love it. Change is a certainty – you need to adapt and be agile. We want you to challenge the status quo, innovate and be open to trying new things. We’re always pushing boundaries. We empower our people, giving them freedom and autonomy to learn and grow in their roles. We’re passionate, agile, creative and one team.