Assistant Accountant

Job Description

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is the flagship of musical life in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and one of the worlds great orchestras.Resident at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, the orchestra performs over 150 concerts each year in Birmingham, the UK and around the world, playing music that ranges from classics to contemporary, film music to symphonic disco, and everything in between. Witha far-reaching community programme and a family of choruses and ensembles, it is involved in every aspect of music-making in the Midlands. But at its centre is a team of 90 superb professional musicians, and more than 100-years of making great music in theheart of Birmingham.The CBSO is seeking an Assistant Accountant to join our busy Finance team. The ideal candidate will have proven success in a similar role, and be able to work on their own initiative and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines.

• To assist with the production of monthly management accounts including preparation of journals, accruals / prepayments, cost centre reviews and variance analysis

• To perform bank reconciliations

• To prepare weekly banking sheets and complete weekly/monthly income reconciliations with our Customer Relationship Management (Tessitura) system

• To assist with the preparation of annual budgets and reforecasting

• To prepare sales invoices and chase outstanding debtors

• To perform balance sheet reconciliations

• To manage the fixed asset registers including the annual physical asset count and the monthly depreciation journal.

• To prepare monthly and annual cash flow forecasts

• To assist and provide cover for the other Finance team member in busy/holiday periods

• To undertake additional duties as and when the needs of the business requires it, at the direction of the Finance Manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Recent accounts experience. The candidate may be pursuing a qualification with a recognised accounting body or has desire and enthusiasm to seek a qualification. Funding by the CBSO can be provided
• Good general accounting skills and the ability to work quickly and accurately
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people with confidence and personal authority
• Strong organisational skills, a good eye for detail and a proven track record in accounts preparation
• An enthusiasm for and understanding of, working in a small team but also able to work on their own initiative and to prioritise tasks
• The ability to work calmly and efficiently in a pressured environment
• The ability to maintain good working relationships at all levels within the CBSO and with external partners
• Excellent IT skills, particularly experience of using Microsoft Excel and Word packages
• Capacity to make a positive contribution to the continuing development of the CBSOs financial and other information systems.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

• Experience of using the Advanced Exchequer Finance system
• Enthusiasm for working in the arts.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Member of CBSO staff, primarily based at CBSOs purpose-built rehearsal and administrative home, CBSO Centre, in central Birmingham. A hybrid working model is in place.

• Salary will be c£22,000- £25,000 per annum, dependant on skills and experience. Substantial financial support for accounting studies including exam leave will be provided.

• This is a full-time role based on 35 hours per week.

• CBSO Staff are entitled to 25 days annual leave (pro rata from date of starting), plus public holidays.

• Normal working hours are 35 hours per week usually Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm with an hour for lunch. There is some provision for flexible working. Some overtime may be required to ensure accounts and other deadlines are achieved.

Keyskills :
Balance SheetBank ReconciliationsJournalsManagement AccountsSales Invoices