Financial Accountant

This role is responsible for supporting the accounting, compliance, tax and audit requirements of Universal Pictures Limited (UPL) and entities with contingent compensation transactions. The position includes responsibility for statutory reporting, VAT compliance, audit support and financial accounting activities, while working closely with the Accounting and Audit Director on additional projects and ad hoc requirements.

UPL

• Obtain approvals and process payments (including initiation of payment in the banking tool, and SAP journals).
• Process allocation of cash receipts in the bank account to respective productions (e.g. VAT, tax credits, return of investments).
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations.
• Calculate and post journals for management fees and accruals.
• Produce quarterly management accounts for UPL and upload supporting documentation for any reconciling items into the Blackline reporting tool.
• Create quarterly invoices for participations and residuals to be included in UPL.
• Create quarterly invoices for participations and residuals to be included in UK accounts and VAT returns.
• Prepare annual draft accounts for auditors
• Reconcile accounts to tax credit calculation and participation statements.
• Point of contact for statutory audits and provide support as requested.

Tax

• Complete quarterly FEU Return forms (withholding taxes on participations paid).
• Prepare monthly individual VAT returns for productions where required (i.e. where there is no UK production accountant available).
• Prepare quarterly Group VAT return for UPL.

Other

• Prepare and reconcile data required for production entity audits (cost reports, trial balances, participations and residuals data).
• Where required download invoices and journals for audit samples from the Box (digital storage tool).
• Provide additional ad-hoc support with audit requests.
• Prepare reporting for ONS (Office of National Statistics).
• Manage post delivered to office for UPL and UK film productions

Qualifications

• An accredited professional finance qualification (preferable ACA or ACCA or international equivalent), at least 1 to 2 years PQE.
• Experience of an audit process from a top tier accounting firm.
• Confident with financial systems. SAP experience beneficial, but not essential.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with ability to effectively manage multiple deliverables and work under pressure when required.
• Demonstrated attention to detail with proven accuracy.
• TV, Media and relevant industry experience is preferable.