Job Description

You will also perform a range of reporting and control functions, but fundamentally will be responsible for positioning finance to work with the researchers and link all activity to the delivery plan, communicating the importance of Finance to staff at all levels presenting insightful information to stimulate longer-term planning.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day financial management of the Building Project ring-fenced budgets and production of monthly management reports and variance analysis for these, and assist in managing the financial position of legacy Business Units. This will include the financial management of the grants codes by reviewing expenditure against budget, produce rolling forecasts and assist in responding to audit queries from internal and external auditors to a tight deadline.
Key Responsibilities

• To maintain, operate and develop appropriate systems of financial management and control, which can provide the Head of Finance with information to:
  • Plan for and meet the resource needs of the Institute’s short-, medium- and long-term objectives and goals
  • Update annual budget information, monitor actual expenditure and projected outturn against budgets and take corrective action in good time
  • Manage the finance and accounting function in accordance with relevant financial legislation, good accounting and auditing practice and financial policies
  • Ensure the financial position of the Institute (expenditure against budget) is known at all times
• Production of monthly Management accounts
• Maintenance and updating of budget movements on the financial systems
• Co-ordinate and manage any intramural finance projects as required
• Review and control of the annual budget, including monitoring and reporting on performance against budget
• Provision of professional financial support including non-finance managers
• Provide robust financial management and reporting for all financial matters
• Review of accruals and prepayments and reconciliation for month end process
• Involvement in the on-going improvement of management information systems and internal controls
• Support and deputies for the Head of Finance as required
• Provision of ad-hoc financial information, support to department-wide projects, and advice as necessary
• Manage the outstanding transactions of the Intramural legacy units with an objective of following up the novation of contracts, agreeing final positions and culminating in the calculation and payment of working capital adjustment.
• The post-holder will be the point of contact for any audits that are undertaken
• To undertake the financial management of actuals, forecasts and budget of the legacy business units’ transition and ring-fenced budgets and the project budgets for all site refurbishment projects
• The day-to-day financial management of the Building Project, including monitoring spend against budget and forecast with relevant reporting monthly

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Part qualified CCAB and progressing towards completion of ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or other relevant CCAB qualification
• Experience of developing, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting financial information including complex accrual and prepayment calculations
• Experience of leading comprehensive financial planning exercises, forecasting and 5 year rolling financial plans
• Experience of developing and using creative solutions for complex problems
• Experience of setting and meeting targets and deadlines
• Experience of utilizing information technology, particularly database management systems, such as Oracle financial systems and Hyperion Essbase or Oracle OBIE to produce management information reports
• Prior experience of working in an academic research environment
• Knowledge of the practical application of accounting concepts
• Knowledge of University sector funding in line with IAS 20 accounting standards
• Knowledge and understanding of the scientific research environment and current pressures on research science
• Competent with financial software and systems
• Strong ICT skills including Excel to an advanced level (macro work), PowerPoint and Word
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex concepts to staff with a range of knowledge
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build relationships with, and influence, staff at all levels and across varied organizations
• Ability to priorities and manage personal workload to meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised
• Ability to show leadership in a changing environment and adapt working practices as necessary