Skills

Creativity Sales Attention to detail Autonomy Accounting Sage

Job Specifications

Position title: Finance Assistant

Reports to: Finance Manager

Salary: PS28,000 - PS32,000 FTE (PS16,000 - PS17,143 pro rata), subject to experience.

Hours: 20 hours per week spread across 4 or 5 days (0.57FTE).

Term: Initial 12-month fixed term contract

Location: London, UK alongside remote working

Brief description: The Finance Assistant will play a key role in supporting the smooth running of the Academy's financial operations. Working closely with the Finance Manager, the postholder will be responsible for maintaining accurate bookkeeping, processing payments and invoices, reconciling accounts (including foreign currency), and ensuring compliance with internal controls and HMRC requirements. The role also involves preparing player payments, supporting VAT returns and audits, and providing finance-related assistance to colleagues across the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong attention to detail, good technical skills, and an interest in the performing arts to contribute to the success of one of the world's most renowned orchestras.

Key responsibilities:

Bookkeeping

Ensure bookkeeping is up to date on a weekly basis
Perform regular bank reconciliations, including foreign currency accounts
Reconciling and processing credit card statements on a monthly basis, reviewing transactions and requesting supporting receipts/paperwork as necessary
Raise sales invoices and enter onto Sage
Enter all approved purchase invoices weekly and reconcile supplier accounts, identifying and requesting copies of any invoices not received and resolving issues
Prepare the weekly payment run for approval
Reconcile patron ticket income
Monitor coding by staff ensuring its accuracy

Player payments

Check player paysheet calculations
Prepare player remittance advice in a timely manner
Process players payments for approval
Respond to ad-hoc queries from players with regards to their pay
Update new player details on our banking system, liaising with the concerts team.

Other

Ensuring the organisation's internal financial control procedures are followed and adhered to at all times
Assisting other departments with finance related queries
Ensuring all cheques and cash received is banked in a timely manner
Collating and submitting annual Section 16 returns to HMRC
Prepare ad hoc reports as requested by senior colleagues
Assist the Finance Manager and Head of Concerts in reconciling projects
Assist the Finance Manger in preparing VAT returns
Help maintain records and accurate filing of finance records, ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements
Assist the Finance Manager with the preparation of the audit file and audit requests as they arise

Person specification

Essential

A minimum of two years' experience in a similar role
Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and detail in a calm, professional manner
Able to meet deadlines and manage a busy workload and work independently
Good working knowledge of Microsoft office, particularly Excel
Experience using Sage 50 accounting software or similar packages
Experience of dealing with foreign currency transactions
Able to communicate financial information to non-finance specialists
An understanding of accounting processes and procedures

Desirable

AAT Level 4 qualification or equivalent
Working knowledge of VAT partial exemption
An understanding of how performing arts organisations operate
Previous experience of working in the charitable finance sector

Terms:

Full time position with 8 weeks' notice
25 days holiday per annum
Pension (The People's Pension)
Enrolment in long-term sickness income protection plan
Initial 12 month fixed-term contract.

About the Academy of St Martin in The Fields

Founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields has evolved into a musical powerhouse, an orchestra renowned across the world for its commitment to the musical freedom of its players and the sharing of joyful, inspiring performances. Our player-led approach empowers every member of the orchestra. This creates a direct line and electrifying connection between the orchestra and our audiences, resulting in ambitious and collaborative performances that transcend a more traditional conductor-led model.

Beyond the concert hall, our commitment to a social purpose manifests in impactful projects that harness the power of music to empower people. We have a longstanding history of work which connects with people experiencing homelessness, and our education projects encourage autonomy and creativity among emerging musicians worldwide. Our collective artistic responsibility fosters enduring collaborations with world-renowned soloists, exemplified by our 15-year partnership with Music Director and virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell. These collaborations showcase the benefits of trust and true artistic collabo

About the Company

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields believes creative empowerment improves lives. Through the creative freedom of its musicians it shares joyful, inspiring performances and delivers meaningful social impact. The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is one of the world's finest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world's greatest orchestral music. Founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields has evolved into a musical powerhouse, an orchestra renowned ac... Know more