Finance Assistant (0.57FTE)

Academy of St Martin in the Fields; City Of London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious performing arts organization in London seeks a Finance Assistant to support its financial operations. The role includes bookkeeping, processing payments, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The ideal candidate has at least two years of experience, strong attention to detail, and proficiency in using accounting software. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract with opportunities for personal growth in the finance sector.

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years’ experience in a similar role.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience dealing with foreign currency transactions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate bookkeeping and process payments.
• Prepare player payments and assist with VAT returns.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and HMRC requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Technical skills

Microsoft Excel

Communication of financial information

Education

AAT Level 4 qualification or equivalent

Tools

Sage 50 accounting software

Job description

Overview

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
• 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 Manager 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

12 month fixed term contract