Silvia Ferrini

Analytical and solution-oriented professional with comprehensive experience in managing all aspects of financial and accounting operations within entertainment, creative industries, and not-for-profit sectors. Skilled in overseeing diverse financial functions, including reporting, budgeting, payroll administration, and VAT compliance. Proficient in generating accurate management accounts, forecasts, and revenue reconciliation reports.

Experienced in collaborating with senior management and cross-functional teams to drive business strategies and ensure regulatory adherence. Adept at managing complex accounting tasks, implementing process improvements, and identifying innovative solutions for substantial cost and time savings. Stellar record in preparing financial statements, monitoring general accounting functions, and analysing financial data to identify trends and potential issues.

Proficient in developing and implementing financial strategies, monitoring cash flow, and creating financial models for forecasting and budgeting. Proven expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and stakeholder collaboration.

Financial Accountant - Hand in Hand International - London

(2024-06)

Reporting to the Director of Finance, manages the monthly and annual accounts and leads the statutory audit process from start to finish, acting as the main point of contact for external auditors. Prepares monthly management accounts and quarterly board reports and is responsible for drafting the annual financial statements, including the Trustees' Annual Report. Supports the Director of Finance in developing the annual organisational budget and works closely with budget holders across fundraising, programmes, communications, operations and the CEO's office to monitor and manage expenditure.

Liaises with the Treasurer of the US affiliate to manage donations. Supports governance and compliance work, including updating key policies such as the Finance Manual and ensuring regulatory training requirements are met. In collaboration with the CEO, oversees the maintenance of the organisation's global trademarks.

• Played a key role in implementing Sage Intacct across the organisation, liaising directly with consultants and the support team, and organising training sessions for finance colleagues and other staff across the organisation.
• Redesigned the chart of accounts to improve reporting accuracy, enhance clarity for external readers, and streamlinedss year-end processes while ensuring compliance with applicable reporting standards.
• Strengthened collaboration with the Treasurer of the US affiliate to manage donations effectively, ensuring accurate reporting, timely processing, and clear communication across both organisations.

Finance Manager - The Academy of St Martin in the Fields - London

(2022-07 - 2024-08)

Directed accounting and financial management operations by providing strategic vision and leadership to external bookkeepers to ensure accurate financial record-keeping. Oversaw the preparation of statutory accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards. Optimised financial performance by monitoring annual budgets, identifying variances, and implementing strategic adjustments.

Facilitated accurate accounting and streamlined asset management by maintaining fixed assets register. Enabled data-driven decision-making by generating detailed monthly management accounts and preparing comprehensive quarterly forecasts. Managed monthly payroll operations and prepare yearly Orchestra Tax Relief Claims, reviewed by auditors before submission to HMRC, ensuring adherence to tax regulations.

• Increased OTR 21-22 claim by £100K by collaborating with the CEO to enhance the Orchestra Tax Relief claiming process.
• Implemented electronic signatures and uploaded invoices to shared portal, enabling seamless remote accessibility for staff by revolutionising the purchase invoice authorisation process.
• Enhanced financial processes and department operations by establishing collaborative environment and liaising with the Finance Committee, external auditors, and other stakeholders.
• Contributed significantly to achieving financial objectives by presenting monthly management accounts and quarterly forecasts to the Board of Trustees, providing clear explanations and strategic recommendations.
• Enhanced data presentation in management accounts, ensuring information reader-friendly and understandable to broader audience, resulting in improving transparency and comprehension for enhanced overall understanding.

Finance Manager - Shoreditch Town Hall - London

(2018-07 - 2022-07)

Provided extensive support to the director and senior management formulating and executing business and commercial strategies for driving organisational growth and success. Played pivotal role in aligning financial goals with overall business objectives, ensuring a seamless integration of financial planning and strategic execution. Managed end-to-end payroll processes, ensuring accurate and timely payments to employees while complying with legal regulations and tax obligations.

Supervised the development of an upload sheet linking data directly from Sage to spreadsheets, streamlining the entire process. Launched automation of management accounts, enhancing efficiency, eliminating human error, and saving valuable time. Led, trained, and mentored one staff member.

• Onboarded and implemented Making Tax Digital (MTD) and ensured strict compliance with new tax requirements and legislation.
• Enhanced revenue visibility, pinpointed revenue drivers, and identified cost-saving opportunities by collaborating with the Director.
• Optimised financial insights/strategic decision-making by designing new nominal accounts and revamping management account's structure.
• Implemented weekly cash flow statements and rolling cash flow forecasts, offering real-time financial insights crucial for planning and business survival during the pandemic.
• Led the development and implementation of financial and management accounting processes for multiple entities, including Shoreditch Town Hall Trust Ltd, Shoreditch Town Hall Trading Ltd, and Ditch Productions Ltd.
• Ensured business continuity and stability by heading the entire finance function single-handedly during team furloughs and completed all essential finance and payroll tasks over several months.

Assistant Revenue Accountant - Live Nation / Academy Music Group - London

(2013-05 - 2018-02)

Prepared and submitted VAT returns for eight UK and two Irish entities, ensuring accuracy and adherence to strict regulatory guidelines. Conducted thorough reconciliations of VAT control accounts, identifying discrepancies and implementing corrective measures to maintain financial integrity.

Processed

Ticketmaster remittances promptly and accurately, managing revenue streams from ticket sales and ensuring seamless financial transactions. Collaborated with stakeholders to resolve any discrepancies in Ticketmaster remittances, maintaining strong vendor relationships and enhancing financial transparency. Prepared comprehensive revenue reconciliation reports, analysing revenue data to identify trends and variances.

Generated detailed settlements for three venue operations and reconciled revenues and expenditures.

• Acknowledged for exceptional technical contributions and overall performance, consistently earning promotions and internal transfers that expanded the scope of responsibilities.
• Partnered with the ticketing team to implement and integrate a new revenue reconciliation report, aligning data from two different systems, resulting in a substantial £5M reduction in unreconciled ticket revenue.
• Attained a 40% reduction in incorrect VAT code instances and a 50% decrease in errors on PRS returns. Achieved through thorough training of venue managers and active supervision, ensuring strict adherence to standards.
• Led the transfer of accounting functions for three venues to Academy Music Group, implementing automated information uploads, establishing a single owner per venue, and providing training and ongoing monitoring for colleagues.
• Ensured alignment with EU tax rules and implemented continuous improvements that increased efficiency and overall functional performance in collaboration with AR manager, Financial Controller, and Tax Manager.

Accounts Officer - Association of MBAS - London

(2011-07 - 2013-03)

Oversaw management of five bank accounts, meticulously monitoring liquidity and generating precise cash flow reports for senior executives. Expertly prepared accounts to trial balance, handling a substantial £3M in total expenditure, and played a pivotal role in external audit preparations. Collaborated seamlessly with the Financial Controller and COO, driving process upgrades and streamlining operations.

Translated complex financial information into easily digestible formats for non-financial staff, ensuring clear understanding and informed decision-making.

• Spearheaded the recovery of £160K in past due debts, transforming the credit control function by expanding and training credit staff, ensuring rigorous financial discipline.
• Collaborated with Financial Controller to prepare annual budget of £3M, producing comprehensive headline budget for 2012/13 totalling £3M and a visionary three-year forecast amounting to £10M for Management Board during the Financial Controller's period of absence.