Finance Assistant

Music is UniversalIt’s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the world’s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other forms of neurocognitive variation.We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition, please email UniversalMusicCareers@umusic.com.Label/DepartmentAs a global division of Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company, Virgin Music Group serves as one of the leading partners to independent labels and artists who require a standalone team with global infrastructure and local expertise in every major music market globally. We proudly foster a creative environment that values diversity, inclusion, and excellence. The finance team plays a key role within VMG, working closely with and supporting the VMG CFO and CEOs, whilst providing assistance to the Heads of Finance in the operating companies around the world.The RoleAs a Finance Assistant in Virgin Music group, you’ll be immersed across both the finance operations and financial planning & analysis divisions of the department. You will be helping with the day-to-day running of the department as well as ad hoc analysis, whilst gaining valuable skills and learning about the industry at both a global and market focussed level.Key ResponsibilitiesAs part of the Financial Planning & Analysis function, you will:Assist in the running of monthly management presentations across key analysis areasUse a range of systems to extract key reports to support both monthly and ad hoc analysisSupport in the quarterly forecast and annual plan processes, running key reports and reconciliations and collaborating with finance teams across the globe to gather additional information and dataLearn about industry and market trends and review VMG performance against the latest Forecast, Plan and prior year through tracking of KPIs and deal level P&LsAs Part Of The Finance Operations Function, You WillSupport the monthly reporting process including the preparation of reconciliations, control and assurance reports, and UMG Global Finance deliverablesBe involved in the monthly royalty processing for selected operating entitiesGain experience in using key financial reporting systems, such as SAP and Hyperion, supporting the month end processes and validation proceduresProvide additional off-cycle support to the wider VMG team (assisting with new supplier set up and ad hoc financial system queries)Ensure accuracy, compliance and consistency across financial processes and reporting activitiesSkills And Experience RequiredMust HaveA genuine interest in the music industry and in building a career within itA desire to become a finance professionalA team player who is good at building professional relationships and adapting a personal approach to deal with different personalities who have varying levels of knowledge and skills across the organisationAbility to communicate effectively, verbally and in written formStrong computer literacy and excellent Excel (or equivalent) skillsExcellent analytical skillsFlexible with ability to multi-task and prioritiseAbility to manage own workload in a pressurised environment and work to tight deadlinesProficiency in Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivots, SUMIFs) and PowerPointNice to HaveA degree in Accounting/Finance or similar is preferred (2:1 or higher)Finance specific internship or practical finance experience is a bonusWhy Join VMG?Virgin Music Group Offers Compelling, Efficient, And Highly Flexible Global Solutions With The Most Advanced Marketing Technology Available For Independent Record Labels And Artists Who Want To Succeed. This Is Your Opportunity ToGain hands-on experience in a global music companyDevelop professional and interpersonal skills that last a lifetimeConnect with industry expertsBe considered for future roles in a business that values emerging talentBonus Tracks: Your BenefitsGroup Personal Pension Scheme (between 3% and 9%)Private Medical Insurance25 paid days of annual leaveInterest Free Season Ticket LoanHoliday Purchase schemeDental and Travel Insurance optionsCycle to Work SchemeSalary Sacrifice CarsSubsidised Gym MembershipEmployee Discounts (Reward Gateway)Just So You Know…The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder's specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive, and exhaustive statement.Job CategoryFinance & Accounting