Finance profiles OR

Jana E. Cox

Finance & Administrative Director
Eugene Symphony Association, Inc.
Eugene, Oregon
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Years in current position: 5
Years in the field: 12

Majors:
Accounting

Career Path:
Bookkeeper for ten years, then went back to school for accounting degree.

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Surprising: How much I actually know and do.  Interesting: Each new season with its music and guest artists.  Challenging: the world of non-profit accounting; working with unions; getting done what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, with the limited help I have.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
When I first starting working here it was just another job. Now, it is my family and I love the music, the musicians, and my co-workers.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
I would advise someone getting into the non-profit accounting world to take college-level courses. Some colleges offer non-profit management certificates that are invaluable.

Any other advice?
This industry is tough. If just starting out, I would look at the history of an organization before I joined it. There are many successful orchestras, but in the same breath, there are those that are not. Look at the upper management and especially at the board of an organization.