Finance Manager

We are delighted to be partnering with The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) to recruit a Finance Manager. This is an exciting position for someone to support a Charitable organisation that has been in existence for over 100 years. The role is paying £40,000-£45,000, 35 hour working week and hybrid working.

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) are a symphony orchestra and charity that makes music that matters to the people of Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond. CBSO have a turnover of c£12 million and c45 administrative staff.

With 90 incredible musicians, alongside a family of choirs, youth ensembles, conductors and staff, CBSO create exciting musical experiences for all. From brightening up the morning commute to inspiring audiences and musicians of the future - CBSO make epic, powerful, meaningful music that fills concert halls, communities, streets, schools and lives with passion, excitement, inspiration, hope and joy.

For more than 100 years, CBSO has taken different names and forms. Weathering war, recession, and social change, and evolving from a part-time municipal ensemble into a symphony orchestra with a worldwide reputation.

But, throughout everything, the CBSO has been Birmingham's orchestra - the musical embodiment of one of the world's great cities, in all its ambition, complexity and diversity.

The CBSO is seeking a Finance Manager who will oversee the day-to-day operations of the finance department and support the Director of Finance & Resources. They be required to:

• Line manage three finance staff, ensuring suitable training is in place for the team.
• Manage and oversee month-end processes, including P&L review, balance sheet reconciliations, journals and ensuring the timely production of management accounts, with commentary.
• Produce regular Board Packs including collation of KPI's, variance reports of actuals against budgets and other ad hoc reports, rolling cash-flows and reserves forecasts.
• Supervise and oversee the payroll.
• Create Budget files and work collaboratively across business areas to collate data for annual budgets and reforecasts.
• Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns.
• Collate information for Orchestra Tax Relief and assist in OTR return. Oversee FET and other tax related matters.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual financial statements for the CBSO and related entities.
• Support and prepare the annual audit, liaising with the external auditors.
• Manage cashflow forecasting.
• Quarterly investment & cashflow reporting for Pension scheme.
• Prepare and collate Arts Council England annual return data. Assist with any other funding reporting requirements.
• Attend Audit and Risk committee meetings.
• Represent the CBSO, building excellent relationships with staff, players, Board members, volunteers, and across the orchestral sector and wider industry.
• Be an ambassador for the CBSO.

The post holder will be required to attend meetings, if successful, you will be required to fulfil an enhanced DBS check.

Finance Manager:

• Qualified finance professional (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CGMA/CIMA, CIPFA). Part-qualified may also be considered.
• Previous experience of managing a finance team.
• Knowledge and experience of using Iplicit or a similar accounting system.
• Excellent excel skills.
• Grant management and reporting experience is not essential but would be advantageous.
• Prior experience of working with restricted & unrestricted funds and a good understanding of the challenges this can pose.
• UK charity experience would be advantageous, including understanding and application of the charity SORP.
• Some experience of developing and strengthening accounting and financial management systems, policies and processes.
• Ability to present complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent written and spoken English, and ability to write concise reports for a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
• Resilience, flexibility and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work in a standalone capacity whilst managing the finance function.
• A keen eye for detail with the ability to get to the root of the problem and make suggestions for improvement.
• An understanding of, and an enthusiasm for, the arts - especially classical music.

Finance Manager:

• £40,000 - £45,000 per annum.
• 35 hour working week.
• CBSO staff are entitled to 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays.
• CBSO traditionally gives an additional 4 days annual leave at Christmas (3) and Easter (1) when the office is closed - this is at the discretion of the management, and decided on an annual basis.
• Hybrid working (50% of your time is required to be on-site).
• Agile working.
• Membership of the CBSO's Group Stakeholder Pension Plan.
• Member of CBSO staff, based at CBSO's purpose-built rehearsal and administrative home, CBSO Centre, in central Birmingham.
• This post is subject to a six-month probationary period.
• Fitness to Work Scheme (Massages and Physio Treatment).
• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme).
• Discounted Car Parking.
• Complimentary and discounted tickets to CBSO concerts.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounted Gym Membership.
• Discount at Specified local restaurants (20% Wagamama's, 10% Chai & Crumbs).
• Season Ticket Loan.

EA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy.