Apply now for our Head of Financial Accounting

Key Responsibilities

1. Statutory Accounting and Audit Support

Prepare and review year end close workings and draft statutory financial statements in compliance with UK GAAP and regulatory requirements (e.g. Office for Students, HMRC). Support the coordination of internal and external audits, preparing schedules and responding to audit queries, and ensuring timely and accurate completion of audit deliverables. Monitor updates to accounting standards and assist in enhancing internal controls accordingly.

2. Monthly Close and Financial Reporting

Lead and review the month-end close process, including general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, cashflow and liquidity internal reporting. Prepare accurate and timely variance analysis and management accounts, supporting the Director of Financial Control in monthly reporting requirements. Identify and drive process improvements across financial operations for greater efficiency and accuracy.

3. Banking and Treasury Operations

Support institutional banking and treasury functions, including daily cash management, short- and long-term cash forecasting, and monitoring of banking fees, interest and FX rates. Assist in the preparation of treasury management information and ensure compliance with established treasury policies.

4. Financial Control and Operations

Prepare, review and maintain financial control workings and documentation in line with established finance policies and control frameworks. Supervise and review accounts payable/receivable processes, balance sheet reconciliations and billing activities, ensuring balance sheet integrity and effective working capital management.

5. Budgeting, Forecasting and Planning Support

Support the University budgeting process and quarterly rolling forecasts, preparing cashflow financial models and scenario analysis. Liaise with the Director of Financial Planning and other stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely data inputs, supporting alignment of financial planning with institutional priorities.

6. Regulatory and Tax Compliance Support

Assist in ensuring full compliance with financial regulations including UK GAAP, FEHE SORP, and other higher education-specific statutory requirements. Prepare and review tax return workings, R&D claims documentation and compliance schedules, liaising with external advisors as required.

Elements of the Role

Planning and Organising

• Post holder will be responsible for planning and organising the work of the financial accounting team to meet key deadlines and deliverables.
• Plans and organises own and team workload across the financial cycle, including year end, month end and audit periods.
• Works within the direction set by the Director of Financial Control, contributing to the implementation of plans and processes which support the finance function and overall University strategy.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Post holder will have defined objectives; prioritising, planning and the approach required to meet those objectives will be largely determined by the post holder within established frameworks.
• Problem areas are generally well-defined, with solutions developed within functional guidelines and established policies.
• Post holder required to use technical knowledge, experience and judgement to resolve accounting and reporting issues and to ensure accurate outcomes.
• Direction provided by Director of Financial Control.

Continuous Improvement

• Contributes to the continuous improvement of the financial accounting function.
• Maintains awareness of quality standards and external benchmarks to promote best practice in financial accounting processes.

Accountability

• Accountable for the accuracy and completeness of financial accounting outputs, including statutory accounts workings, reconciliations, and management reporting.
• Responsible for supervising and reviewing the work of the financial accounting team to ensure quality and compliance.
• Accountable for own outputs and those of direct reports.

Dimensions of the Role

• Ensure that financial accounting processes are delivered accurately, on time and within budget.
• Responsible for supervising and supporting the financial accounting team in their day-to-day activities.

Supplementary Information

• Strong technical accounting skills with ability to prepare and review complex financial workings.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines on often complex financial tasks, particularly during year end and audit periods.
• Apply regulatory, legal, professional and ethical standards in relation to financial accounting and audit preparation.
• Plan and prepare for audit and assurance processes.

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Professionally qualified with a relevant degree/postgraduate qualification, plus relevant experience in financial accounting. Or; substantial vocational experience demonstrating professional development and achievement in financial accounting roles, backed by evidence of sound technical knowledge of accounting standards and practice.

Essential Technical Competencies (Experience and Knowledge)

• Relevant experience in financial accounting and reporting, with demonstrable technical knowledge in statutory and management accounts preparation.
• Experience of supervising or reviewing the work of others in a finance team, with an ability to support and develop team members.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of UK GAAP, FEHE SORP and other relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements applicable to higher education.
• Strong technical skills in general ledger, reconciliations, journal preparation, balance sheet management and cashflow reporting.
• Good interpersonal skills with ability to communicate financial information clearly to colleagues.

Key Relationships

Background Information

The finance department partners across the whole of the University to deliver financial sustainability, strategic goals and value for money. Delivery of financial management reporting to inform and enable colleagues to effectively manage their resource allocations and achieve their operational and strategic objectives. Prepare regulatory and statutory financial and fiscal reporting. Process transactions related to income, expenditures, capital projects and financing. Financial control plays a critical role in the above, ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Relationships

Internal

• Chief Financial Officer
• Director of Financial Control
• Senior Finance Team Members
• Other Finance Department colleagues
• Internal audit
• Other academic and functional leads within the Institution

External

• Colleagues with similar roles in other HE institutions to share information and identify best practices.
• Auditors
• Banks and Financial Institutions
• Tax authorities
• Regulatory bodies