Junior Accounts Assistant

The Royal Ballet School; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Ballet School is seeking a Junior Accounts Assistant to support the Finance Team in day-to-day funding activities. The role focuses on accurate financial recording, reconciliations, and delivering timely, well-presented information with audit trails.

You will assist the Credit Controller, manage parts of the sales ledger and help with month-end processes, while working in a hybrid setup (1 day in the Upper School, Covent Garden) with occasional travel to White Lodge, Richmond Park.

Qualifications

• Experience in credit control or accounts receivable is desirable.
• Strong Excel skills and familiarity with accounting software preferred.
• Detail-oriented with good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support the Credit Controller in maintaining accurate financial records and audit trails.
• Assist with sales ledger tasks including invoicing, VAT reporting and debt collection.
• Process payroll-related data entry and basic payroll administration.
• Handle bank postings, cashflow monitoring, and weekly reporting to the Financial Controller.
• Assist with archiving, filing and month-end processes.
• Provide high-quality, timely financial information with appropriate backups.

Skills

Credit control

Accounts receivable

Finance administration

Excel

Accounting software

Education

AAT qualification in progress

Tools

Excel

Accounting software

Job description

The Junior Accounts Assistant supports the Finance Team in managing the day-to-day funding activities of the school, ensuring the tasks are completed on time to a high-quality standard.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The Junior Accounts Assistant is responsible to support the Credit Controller for maintaining and recording accurate financial records and providing timely, well-presented financial information with the appropriate back up and audit trails. The role demands a good eye for detail and the ability to reconcile complex company accounts, whilst being required to answer queries from internal and external sources and providing a responsive, friendly, clear and high-quality level of service.

CONTRACT TERMS

Duration: 6 months fixed term

Location: Upper School Covent Garden (Hybrid role – 1 day in office at Upper School), with occasional travel to White Lodge, Richmond Park

Annual leave: 30 days per annnum (pro rata)

MAIN DUTIES

SALES LEDGER

• Raise and issue accurate, timely sales invoices based on information provided by department budget holders or other finance team members. Liaise with the respective departments to ensure appropriate back up is provided.
• Accurate invoicing with regards to VAT and ensuring appropriate VAT reporting in the General Ledger
• Assist Process direct debit instructions for School Fees, Associates, Teachers Diploma and Donors including the initial set up and any cancellations/adjustments. Ensure payments are requested each month in accordance with the schedules
• Assist to ensure that systems are set up for parents to settle their invoices, issue monthly statements and perform credit control to keep debts to a minimum. Working with Parent Finance Officer to understand any changes in parent's circumstances.
• Liaise with the Parent to solve any payment related queries, and ensure invoices are paid in good time
• Assist with debt collection and elevate long-outstanding accounts when required
• Respond to customer queries relating to invoices, payments and account balances
• Help prepare the Financial Assessments of parental income and Music & Dance Scheme grants
• Support month-end processes and produce basic credit-control reports
• Ensure all activities comply with company policies and procedures

PAYROLL

• Assist the Payroll Accountant with basic payroll administration, including inputting and maintaining new starter information such as bank details, National Insurance numbers, addresses, timesheet and other relevant payroll data.

RECHARGES, BURSARY PAYMENTS AND CLAIMS

• Process payments for hardship and travel bursaries as per the agreed list with Parent Finance Officer
• Process travel claims made by parents ensuring that all backup documents are attached.

BANK ACCOUNTS

• Assist with post banking transactions as required including direct debit payments, standing orders and BACS receipts
• Assist with, maintain, and monitor cashflow, reporting directly the Financial Controller on a weekly basis

OTHER DUTIES

• Ensure filing is completed accurately and on a timely basis
• Assist the Credit Controller in managing and maintaining the shared Accounts Receivable inbox
• Support month-end processes and produce basic credit-control reports
• Ensure all information and reporting is accurately titled and well presented
• Coordinate and assist with archiving finance and student files each year
• Assist the Finance Team in carrying out ad-hoc duties as and when required
• To occasionally, if required, cover for other team members in their absence

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Previous experience in credit control, accounts receivable or finance administration
• Good Excel skills and familiarity with accounting software are often preferred
• Initiative, ownership of role, the passion to make a difference
• Ability to work independently and experience of supporting a team
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills with strong written and verbal skills Strong attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage a high-volume workload
• Professional and confident when chasing outstanding payments
• Proven experience of working effectively with non-finance and creative staff
• Competence in Microsoft word and mail merge
• Confident using Excel and experienced user of finance systems Empathy with the aims, ethos and values of the School.
• Working towards an AAT qualification or other relevant professional accounting qualification

SAFEGUARDING DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and recognises that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment to children’s safeguarding and to share this child-centred approach. This approach means that staff must consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Additionally, the following is expected of all staff:

• To uphold the School’s policies relating to safeguarding and child protection, behaviour, health and safety and all other relevant policies
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and come into contact with
• To report any safeguarding concerns using the relevant channels, such as informing the Designated Safeguarding Lead, in a timely and appropriate manner
• To ensure full compliance with all statutory regulations, particularly the most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education, and to communicate concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, other relevant staff of The Royal Ballet School or local children’s services as appropriate.

This job information cannot be all encompassing. It is inevitable over time that the emphasis of the job will change without changing the general character of the job or the level of duties and responsibilities entailed. Consequently, this information will be periodically reviewed, revised and updated in consultation with the post holder to reflect appropriate changes.

We are committed to creating an environment where all our employees feel part of our team and can flourish, regardless of their background. We’re proud to be an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.