How do I get into a finance role within a theatre?

Helen is currently working in a production office and would like to make the move to working in theatre in a finance role.

I would like to move from working in a production office across into working in a theatre, ideally in the finance department, with a view to working my way up. I think my best course of action is to get a financial qualification, but I'm not sure which.

Should I try and get an accounting qualification, or will book keeping be enough? Which programmes (quickbooks, sage etc) would be best for me to learn in order to have the relevant skills to the most theatres?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Maggie Saxton, Executive Director - It is quite a long time ago that I started working in the theatre, but I started in the Finance department at the Royal Exchange having spent a few years in the Banking sector where I got my qualifications.

I found that doing a qualification in bookkeeping was the best if you want to start and work your way up.  Getting competent at the basic principles would give you a head start.  Of course if you wanted to progress on to an accountancy course at night school you could do this whilst you are working. In this way you wouldn't interrupt your work and could progress in this way.  I know of a number of successful people who have done this.
 
I didn't. Once I had worked in the Finance department for a year I progressed onto becoming Business Manager and then Finance Manager and I decided to take some management qualifications as I became more general manager/producer focused.
 
Most organisations I tend to use something like SAGE....but you learn this on the job and I think they have help guides and learning guides embedded.
 
Hope this helps and good luck. I think Finance is a great route  through. Peter Cheeseman CBE Theatre Director Emeritus New Vic Theatre, now departed this world, always taught me that  there is no Financial Decision that doesn't have an Artistic Impact and No Artistic Decision that doesn't have Financial Consequences. Important lesson is to work closely together!
 
 
Jill Robertshaw, Administration Officer - As with all theatres, finance departments will have their own special way of working. Probably the best way to ascertain if you need more training is to look at finance jobs advertised, and see what they are asking for.
 
Remember, job descriptions have the perfect candidate in mind. If you have a gap in your knowledge, it is sometimes worth applying, saying you would be happy to undertake suitable training.
 
From experiencing a recruitment for a Junior finance position, I was surprised at how many applicants there were, and how qualified they were for a job that a school leaver could do- the competition is fierce out there!

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