Finance profiles PA

Scott Michael

Vice President of Finance and CFO
Pittsburgh Symphony
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
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Years in current position: 20
Years in the field: 23

Majors:
Accounting Information Systems

Additional Training:
Human Resource management, labor relations

Career Path:
Manager of Accounting, Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
Manager of Accounting, Pittsburgh Symphony
Controller, Pittsburgh Symphony 

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Finding cash resources, trying to limit events that provide negative cash flow, trying to do the things that other orchestras do with half the staff.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
My answer is actually to the question “What keeps me inspired to work for an orchestra?” There is really nothing as directly satisfying as watching 2,700 people pour into your hall and see how excited they are. There is a direct connection to the end product that is probably missing in any other job.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Business and art generally do not blend well. The relationship has to be worked on constantly to be successful. There is a lot of compromise.