Senior Financial Accountant & Analyst

Job Description

About the Royal Academy of ArtsThe Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is one of the UKs foremost arts institutions. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. The RAspurpose is to be a clear, strong voice for art and artists. Our public programme promotes the creation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education, and debate.The RA is an independent charity. It does not receive revenuefunding from the government so is reliant upon the support of visitors, donors, sponsors, patrons, and loyal Friends. We are an innovative and forward-looking organisation, and also immensely proud of our heritage.We are best known for our world-class programmeof exhibitions, including Ai Weiwei, Abstract Expressionism, Antony Gormley, Picasso and Paper and our current exhibitions Tracey Emin / Edvard Munch and David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, 2020, Normandy, as well as the annual Summer Exhibition, the worldslargest open submission exhibition.About this roleWe are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Financial Accountant & Analyst to join our Finance team, supporting both the Accounting Services and Decision Support Teams.This is a chance to joina hard-working, respected, and energetic Finance team, at one of the worlds major art institutions.About you You must be a qualified accountant (ideally ACA or ACCA) with at least two years post qualification experience, ideally outside of practice. A self-starterwith very strong technical skills, you will possess strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail. An audit background is desirable, as a key element of this role is supporting the statutory accounts reporting process and wider control and complianceactivities at the Royal Academy. Experience of charity SORP accounting is highly desirable. You will be an advanced user of Excel and ideally will have had some exposure to Sun Accounts (Vision/Executive) and i-POS. You will demonstrate an ability to advisenon-specialist colleagues on complex technical financial matters, and you will effectively build rapport and establish collegiate professional working relationships, all of which are essential in this role.What benefits do we offer We offer a very generouspension scheme, contributing up to 10% of your salary into a defined contribution scheme. In addition to 25 days holiday and 8 public holidays each year, we close between Christmas Eve and New Year, allowing staff further paid leave. We encourage staff toattend free History of Art and life drawing classes on site. We also have a staff choir, staff gallery and running, football, and craft clubs. Best of all, we have reciprocal agreements with many leading museums and art galleries in London and New York, enablingyou to enter for free with your staff pass.How to applyTo apply for this position, candidates must complete an application form. For further information about this role, and to find our application form, visit our website via the button below. Closing datefor applications: 1 August 2021 (midnight)Interviews likely to be held: 11 & 12 August 2021JOB DESCRIPTIONTitle: Senior Financial Accountant & AnalystDepartment: Finance DepartmentReports to: Deputy Director of Finance (Decision Support) ("DDS")MAIN OBJECTIVESTo be a "number two" to the Accounting Services Manager ("ASM"), and have delegated authority to deputise for ASM, when required, for the Accounting Services team (including financial accounting and transaction processing services). To support the ASM, asrequired, to oversee the transaction processing services managed by the ASM (including Accounts Payable (including expenses) and Purchasing, Accounts Receivable (credit control and billing) and Cash Management). To work closely with the ASM and DDS to overseecontrol and compliance activities (including preparation of annual statutory accounts and liaison with auditors; completion of all statutory and tax reporting, with a particular focus on Gift Aid and VAT; review and completion of balance sheet reconciliations;monitoring implementation of Internal/External Audit recommendations); to ensure the safe stewardship of RA assets through the implementation and monitoring of a sound control environment; and to contribute to the effectiveness and development of all financialsystems and processes. Act as a business partner to designated departments, developing excellent working relationships to provide insight, advice, analysis, and support on various aspects of financial and commercial decision making. To establish working relationshipswith colleagues at the RA to facilitate all aspects of transaction processing and control and compliance activities to the wider RA.MAIN DUTIESPrepare the annual statutory accounts and audit files for the RAs three trading subsidiaries, Friends of the RoyalAcademy, and the independent trusts, and liaise with the DDS/Director of Finance and external auditors, as required. Support the ASM in the preparation of the audit files for the RA, the Royal Academy Trust, and the Royal Academy of Arts Pension Scheme (definedbenefit). Manage the maintenance of general ledger records, ensuring accuracy, timely accounting, resolving issues and queries, as required. Complete and review balance sheet reconciliations to ensure that the information reported in the management accountsaccurately reflects the financial performance of the RA and provides an audit trail to appropriate source data. Manage all aspects of the fixed asset register, working closely with the Senior Finance Analyst on upcoming capital projects and managing the quarterlyTechnology and Capital Review Group meetings. Work with the ASM to review the Monthly Review Schedules (MRS), ensuring processes and procedures are being duly completed. Follow up and resolve any control weaknesses identified on a timely basis. Support theASM and as a delegated authority, manage and direct the Accounting Services team and oversee the work and operation of the transaction processing function. Provide business partnering and management accounting support to certain departments across the RA,developing excellent working relationships and providing financial analysis and insight to support various aspects of financial and commercial decision making. Provide other general support to the DDS and the Decision Support Team as necessary, supportingwith ad hoc analysis, reporting, or getting involved in new projects where required. Prepare a quarterly dashboard report of Key Performance Indicators across transaction processing and control and compliance activities. Prepare and duly submit timely statutoryand tax reports, including National Statistics Surveys; Gift Aid submissions and Charity Commission returns. Support the tax advisors in the preparation of annual tax returns, in particular provision of information, including that required with Mus