Entertainment jobs in United Kingdom

Job reference: REQ01259

Date posted: 04/12/2025

Application closing date: 18/12/2025

Location: Woking

Salary: Competitive

Contractual hours: 40

Basis: Fixed Term

Job category/type: Finance

Were a leading live-entertainment group with a national and international footprint. Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017, Trafalgar Entertainment is a premium international live entertainment business focussed on new productions, venue ownership, Performing Arts education, theatre ticketing, the distribution of live-streaming innovative content and the provision of great theatres where people can come together to share in the experience of live entertainment. TE is home to Trafalgar Theatres, The Chiswick Cinema, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Trafalgar Releasing, Trafalgar Tickets, Stagecoach Performing Arts, Drama Kids/Helen OGrady Drama Academy, ticketing company London Theatre Direct, Stagedoor, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, and Imagine Theatre.

We are passionate about entertainment, audiences, and the live experience and we value Creativity, Collaboration, Excellence and Respect.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Management Accountant will work with the finance team to ensure timely delivery of all aspects of financial reporting for our busy theatres. The role will be jointly responsible for managing and developing the Assistant Management Accountants and Venues Finance Assistant, and will drive forward best practice in all processes, promoting team work to deliver first class financial guidance and support to our venues. This role will drive accurate financial information for group reporting and help to implement robust systems and processes future proofing the department and staying ahead of our ever-changing business.

A highly professional and proactive accountant with excellent communication skills. A proven team player with a thirst for improvement and change are essential, as are great system skills. Self-motivated, with a strong sense of customer service, you will be flexible to ever-changing business priorities, have a calm attitude and a good people skills.

• Support the team structure to ensure results are delivered quickly and accurately, providing leadership that fosters continuous process improvement
• Build and maintain strong cross-departmental theatre relationships to deepen finance team insight and enhance the accuracy and relevance of reporting
• Review key tasks to ensure appropriate segregation of duties is maintained
• Identify opportunities for improvement and encourage team-led initiatives to address issues and mitigate risk
• Maintain regular communication and develop effective working relationships across the business, particularly with the Venues Finance team, Regional Directors, Theatre Directors, Theatre Administrators, and wider venue management teams.

• Prepare monthly management accounts (full P&L, Balance Sheet and cashflow), including variance analysis and commentary, for initial review with the Head of Finance prior to circulation to senior managers and Theatre Directors
• Take direct ownership of the financial reporting for up to three theatre venues, including developing strong relationships with key stakeholders at each site
• Undertake consistent checking and reconciliation of all balance sheet items to ensure the Balance Sheet remains accurate and up to date, investigating, resolving, and reconciling discrepancies, and reviewing both your own and the teams monthly balance sheet reconciliations
• Act as a key point of contact for the year-end audit process for Venues Finance, responding promptly to queries from our auditors, Moore Kingston Smith, and meeting all deadlines
• Support the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts, and assist in reviewing management accounts against budgets and reforecasts
• Manage the cashflow process, including preparing a 12-week cashflow forecast and reporting funding requirements to the Trafalgar Entertainment Group
• Work with the Venues Finance team and Accounts Payable to ensure the efficient running of sales and payment cycles. Authorise payments and payrolls on HSBC, ensuring timely and accurate processing and prompt receipting of income
• Take financial ownership of the Hospitality Tracker
• Lead the monthly settlements process, including updating the settlements summary and preparing and posting settlement accruals
• Manage intercompany processes across venues, ensuring all intercompany balances are accurate and fully reconciled
• Prepare monthly journals including PO accruals, settlement accruals, PP and levy journals, lease journals, reversals, prepayments, general accruals, funding, profit share and deferred revenue journals
• Review stock audits
• Prepare VAT returns
• Review weekly debtor reports and take ownership of overdue cash processes. Assess debtor recoverability and elevate potential bad‑debt write‑offs to the Head of Finance in a timely manner
• Maintain regular liaison with Theatre Directors, including arranging monthly meetings and issuing monthly accounts for their review and commentary
• Understand financial processes and recommend improvements to strengthen internal controls, enhance best practice and reduce financial risk
• Identify areas for potential cost savings and revenue enhancement, providing clear recommendations to maximise profitability and support informed decision‑making
• Take ownership of accounting processes within X3 and be an advanced user of X3 and SEI for Venues Finance
• Respond to ad‑hoc data and analysis requests promptly and effectively
• Always act in accordance with TEs values and ethics
• Undertake any ad‑hoc duties as required

• Alongside the existing Management Accountant, support the Assistant Management Accountants and Venues Finance Assistant within the team.

• A minimum of 2 years experience working as a management accountant with management responsibilities. Ideally knowledge of or experience in the entertainment sector but not essential
• Qualified or part qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
• Advanced Excel and IT skills. Experience with an accounting system ideally Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills, committed and enthusiastic
• The ability to work calmly, effectively and professionally in a fast‑paced environment
• Dynamic, enthusiastic, self‑starter and willing to go the extra distance to make a difference
• Happy to undertake training, learning and development relevant to the job role
• An interest in and enthusiasm for live theatre, entertainment, and hospitality.

This Job Description is not an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to your role and responsibilities. From time to time, you may be required to undertake additional or alternative duties that are commensurate with your skills, experience and capability. This role may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or other security screening, depending on the specific requirements of the position.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit a CV and Covering Letter as to why you think you are suitable for the role via the Recruitment Portal.

Trafalgar Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in groups where we are under‑represented, for example people with disabilities, from minority ethnic groups, older returners and people who are neurodivergent.

We are curious, courageous, and ambitious, empowering people to challenge and innovate in pursuit of excellence.