Financial Controller, EMEA & APAC

Who We Are:Frieze is the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, dedicated to artists, galleries, collectors and art lovers alike. Frieze comprises three magazines – frieze, Frieze Masters Magazine and Frieze Week – and seven international art fairs – Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze Los Angeles, Frieze Seoul, The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago. Legacy art fair brands The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago were acquired by Frieze in September 2023. In October 2021, Frieze also launched No.9 Cork Street, a permanent space for visiting international galleries in the heart of Mayfair, London.

Role Overview

This Financial Controller role for the Events division is a hands-on finance position responsible for all controllership activities for this group. This role will take ownership for all of the EMEA and APAC locations and ensures local reporting requirements are met and processes are for purpose, as well as streamlined and efficient.

The position will report to the Global Controller, Events.  The ideal candidate possesses technical and controls experience (preferably within the Entertainment industry) along with the adaptability, resilience to change and inter-personal skills necessary to thrive in large people-oriented organizations.

Responsibilities

• This is an EMEA based role, which will work alongside, as well as oversee, the events finance teams within the EMEA and APAC regions, supporting and advising on technical matters and any adhoc queries.
• Lead and own relationship with any third party advisors and ensure appropriate advice received to support decision making
• Ownership of statutory audits and ensuring compliance requirements are met eg. VAT, other local filings
• Ownership of APAC local compliance and reporting requirements
• Day to day involvement of the Events division controllership activities, including implementing internal controls, training to produce timely financial and accurate financial information, and creating world-class financial reporting processes
• Ensure strong communication with Event finance teams, as well as legal, tax and treasury to ensure accounting positions are appropriate and financial statements accuracy
• Supporting the controllership function in identifying, proposing and embedding best practice
• Identify the design and implementation of the necessary finance processes to support a more streamlined and automated finance process.
• Ensure timely reporting of all significant accounting transactions, implementation of relevant accounting technical standards, and preparation of technical accounting memos to support all accounting positions.
• Ensure accurate and timely actual financial data to support business decisions and ensure the accurate and timely preparation and delivery of all regular and ad hoc management reports.
• Direct financial audits and commit to ensuring more efficient and less costly audits through continuous process improvements; Liaise regularly with external auditors and consultants.
• Support in ensuring finance functions are stood up for day 1 as well as post TSA transition
• Support with integration of M&A, ensure accounting alignment where appropriate.
• Support on change management for system migrations, both for M&A as well as post TSA workstreams

Knowledge And Experience

• Established and progressive experience in audit & accounting (required, preferably big 4)
• Excellent technical skills and ability to write accounting papers
• ACA or ACCA credentials or international equivalent (required, with demonstrable PQE)
• Ability to operate in a high-paced environment (required)
• Experience in the Events and Entertainment industry (preferred)
• Knowledge and familiarity with various operational finance systems, such as Oracle, Workday, PeopleSoft, SAP, Navision, CRM (Microsoft), Hyperion (preferred)

Skills And Abilities

• Pro-active
• Flexible and ability to adapt approach
• Strong communication
• Collaborative approach to work and team player

Working Conditions:

Permanent, London Chiswick Park

Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm