Finance Manager

11th House Agency is a boutique artist agency representing artists whose work appears across fashion, beauty, film, music, commercials, and entertainment. Our artists are booked by leading brands, publications, and production companies, and every job moves quickly - from deal memo to advance to shoot to wrap, often within days. The Role About 11th House Agency 11th House Agency is a boutique artist agency representing artists whose work appears across fashion, beauty, film, music, commercials, and entertainment. Our artists are booked by leading brands, publications, and production companies, and every job moves quickly - from deal memo to advance to shoot to wrap, often within days. The Role The Finance Manager owns the complete financial lifecycle of every job the agency books and the operational infrastructure of the company itself. Working directly with the founders, and under the supervision of the CFO, this role is the agency's main finance contact: it bills the clients, pays the artists, manages the cash, closes the books, and keeps the business compliant - while also running HR, contracts, and vendor administration. With dozens of jobs in motion at any given time and the agency frequently fronting expenses on behalf of its artists, success in this role means money moves accurately and on time in both directions: clients are invoiced correctly, the moment a job wraps, receivables are pursued persistently until collected, and artists are paid promptly and can trust every number they're given. The role is based at the agency's New York office at WSA, 161 Water St. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 6:00pm, with in-office required Tues-Thurs - though the role requires responsiveness outside of those hours when active jobs, agents, or artists need financial answers. Duties & Responsibilities Client Billing & Accounts Receivable Prepare and issue all client invoices with quick turnaround times - artist fees, expenses, advances, start-up costs, and kill fees - interpreting each job's deal memo for billing terms (billing percentages, agency fees, production handling fees, crew paid directly vs. through the agency). Apply New York sales tax correctly to design services; evaluate exemption certificates (e.g., ST-121) and defend the agency's tax treatment to clients with supporting state guidance. Manage receivables across all open jobs: track aging, reconcile partial payments against balances due, and pursue past-due invoices with persistent, professional escalation - including with international clients. Navigate client AP systems and vendor portals (e-payables platforms, SAP Business Network purchase orders, supplier onboarding forms) to keep payments moving. Answer questions and liaise with clients in real time on all billing-related matters, tracking, and changes. Artist Payments & Job Accounting Audit artist wraps and expense reports before billing. Verify hours and overtime against deal memo terms, request missing receipts, and resolve discrepancies directly with artists and their studios. Disburse artist payments and advances promptly upon receipt of client funds, with clear payment statements and breakdowns (crew vs. set/props vs. fees). Advise founders and artists on job-level financial questions - advances, per diems, payroll processing fees, direct crew payment, and reimbursement timing. Financial Reporting & Analysis Produce the monthly management report for the founders, including agency revenue, per-artist revenue breakdowns (monthly and year-to-date), and supporting spreadsheets; field follow-up questions on the numbers. Maintain the books and supporting records for all transactions, expenses, and reimbursements. HR & People Operations Draft and issue employment offers and agreements, including compensation, commission, and bonus structures; manage signature and onboarding logistics. Coordinate staffing transitions - start dates, departures, and coverage between roles - and support hiring processes including intern recruiting. Build and administer performance review documents and processes in partnership with the founders. Compliance & Administration Maintain corporate and tax documentation - W9s, EIN records, US residency certificates, and international withholding forms - and respond to client compliance requests, including for foreign entities. Handle vendor setup, supplier registrations, and general office administration as the operational point of contact for the agency. Personal Characteristics Meticulous accuracy with numbers - catches discrepancies others miss (rate terms, hours, partial payments, tax treatment) Persistent and professional in collections - comfortable escalating firmly while preserving client relationships Trustworthy and discreet with confidential financial, compensation, and personnel information Clear, prompt communicator with artists, founders, clients, and outside producers at every level Self-directed - operates as a department of one, managing competing deadlines across dozens of simultaneous jobs Calm under pressure, with a strong sense of urgency when artists are owed money or jobs are mid-flight Artist-friendly - you will be working with creatives who are not numbers savvy; therefore, it requires patience and a friendly demeanor Sense of urgency - this is a fast-paced industry with a high volume of small transactions. Clients and artists expect email responses within an hour or less. Requirements BS in Accounting or Business Administration. At least 3 years' experience in finance, accounting, or business operations in a creative agency, production, or talent representation environment. Strong working knowledge of invoicing, accounts receivable/payable, expense auditing, and financial reporting Proficiency with QuickBooks and Excel/Numbers Professional and client-facing attitude Preferred Experience with photo/video production financial workflows - deal memos, advances, wraps, crew rates, overtime, and per diems Experience with international client billing and cross-border compliance documentation Experience working with client AP portals and procurement systems (e-payables, SAP Ariba) Familiarity with New York sales tax rules for design services, exemption certificates, and basic tax documentation (W9, withholding forms) Experience drafting or administering employment offers and HR processes Compensation & Benefits Salary: 80,000 Vacation and personal days per company policy Eligibility for company benefit programs per company policy #J-18808-Ljbffr