Finance Manager – Paris

Big Bus Tours is the world's largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours, fuelling the spirit of adventure in 25 world-famous cities across four continents. Beginning its journey almost 30 years ago with a fleet of only three buses, Big Bus Tours has swiftly expanded to a global fleet of over 400 hundred open-top buses, turning 5 million tourists into explorers, every year. Each open-top bus tour provides a hop-on, hop-off facility at a variety of interesting locations, with complimentary additions to enhance the visitor sightseeing experience.

In February 2015, private equity firm Exponent purchased Big Bus Tours, with a shared vision to make Big Bus Tours the number 1 thing to do in each world-famous city.

The business is looking to strengthen its team with a commercially savvy and technically strong Finance Manager to lead its local operations. You will take full ownership of the Paris finance function, overseeing monthly reporting, annual financial statements and audits, as well as budgeting, forecasting, and managing treasury and liquidity needs.

This role offers a broad scope, combining planning, reporting, and data analysis, while providing the opportunity to collaborate closely with teams across the business. It's an excellent opportunity for someone eager to develop their reporting, analytical, and communication skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.

The individual will work within the European Centralised Finance team, but with stakeholders and partners around the group.

Key stakeholders include:

• Local General Manager (Paris)
• Operations and sales managers (Paris)

If you want to get onboard check out the vacancy below:

Overview of Duties & Responsibilities:

Reporting, Analysis and Control

• Responsibility for all accounting entries related to Paris entities
• Take ownership of monthly management accounts, including analysis against budget and prior years, and ad-hoc analysis as required
• Ensure compliance with both French and IFRS accounting standards and Global company policies and finance guidelines
• Working capital management: overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll functions

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Take ownership of the annual budget for Paris, this involves business partnering with local operational teams and central support functions
• Preparation of a detailed 13-week liquidity forecast on a monthly basis for Paris including cash inflows and outflows to be used by external parties
• Preparation of ad hoc forecasts and analysis as required

Audit and Financial Statements

• Preparation of financial statements for Paris entities
• Take ownership of annual audits for Paris entities, managing all audit requests and liaising day-to-day with the audit team (local and Group)

Treasury and Tax Responsibilities

• Ownership of treasury function which involves managing day to day banking for Paris and cashflow management
• Working with Group Tax and local advisors to ensure local legislative, VAT and corporation tax requirements are met

People

• Business partnering with people from around the group, including local operational and sales teams and central support teams

Qualifications & Experience:

• Strong academic record (degree level qualification)
• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) including membership of the relevant accredited professional body e.g. ICAEW (UK) or equivalent
• 2 years PQE
• Financial statements preparation/review experience
• Experience within the travel/tourism industry preferred but not required

Skills & Knowledge:

• Fluency in French (written and spoken) is essential. This is required for communicating with external advisors and local teams.
• Strong relationship and communication skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and basic PowerPoint skills.
• Highest standards of accuracy and precision; highly organized.
• Highly efficient with the ability to prioritise several tasks at once.
• Ability to think creatively, analytical, highly driven and self-motivated.
• Demonstrate ability to present and influence credibly and effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Previous experience of SAP ByD is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of IFRS and tax compliance.
• Knowledge of accounting, finance control, reporting and business analysis.

Competencies:

• Personal resilience and self-awareness, with a passion for personal growth.
• Effective communication underpinning high quality relationships and strong team working. Ability to express ideas or facts in a clear and persuasive manner.
• Results driven with a customer focus contributing to the delivery of the organisations vision.
• Leadership - motivates and inspires others to succeed, utilising appropriate styles. Has a clear vision of what is required and acts as a positive role model.
• Strategic and Critical Thinking - Takes account of a wide range of longer-term issues, opportunities and contingencies. Identifies the means of implementing plans in line with the vision and direction.
• Analytical - effectiveness in identifying problems, seeking pertinent data, recognising important information and identifying possible causes of problems.
• Confidential - able to manage data confidentially.

Other Information :

• Monday to Friday
• Hybrid working - currently 2 days in the office and 3 at home, subject to change in the future
• Office based in Victoria (London) or near Eiffel Tower (Paris)
• Salary: £60,000 to £65,000 for London based roles

We are proud to offer all our colleagues a competitive benefits package ( pro-rata for part time), which includes:

• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays, Increasing to 30 with L.O.S
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Performance Bonus Scheme
• BUPA Cash Plan
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay
• Aviva DigiCare+ (Remote GP & 2 Medical Opinion)
• Death in Service
• Cycle to Work
• Complimentary Big Bus Tickets
• Merlin Attractions Discounts
• 5% Employer Pension Contribution
• Sick Pay Scheme
• Season Ticket Loans
• Employee Referral Scheme

Next Steps:

To apply for this role please click 'Apply', there is no lengthy application form and cover letters are optional. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager(s). Due to the volume of applicants our vacancies regularly receive, please allow 2 weeks from the closing date to hear back regarding your application although our team will endeavour to contact every applicant as soon as practicable.