Job Description

Main activities/responsibilities

• Preparation and submission of regulatory reports and statutory accounts to external stake-holders including the Office for Students and Companies House
• Provision of clear regular reporting and analysis on financial performance and KPIs to the Governing Body and senior executive team at Pearson College London and to the wider Pearson (in liaison with the Finance Director for UK HE in Pearson
• Working with the Principal and senior executive team on financial planning and the annual budget.

Work with the heads of departments to:

• Support sound financial management of resources;
• Identify and explain variances on a monthly basis, reporting on this to the senior executive team; and
• Identify and address operational improvement and efficiency opportunities.
• Develop financial business cases for new initiatives, such as new degree programmes to assist in the approval process. Should they be approved for implementation then to also monitor their financial performance against suitable targets.
• Provide financial analysis and advice on existing initiatives.
• Highlight and provide insights on key financial risks and opportunities within and across departments at PCL, and with stake-holders external to PCL.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of PCL’s regulatory and audit requirements and ensure such requirements are fulfilled.
• Oversee audit schedule and delivery.
• Liaise with and support the Finance Director of the wider Pearson’s UK HE team, ensuring effective and appropriate interaction with the wider Pearson.
• Work with the Pearson group financial team to track and address accounts receivable issues.

Pearson is an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate against employees or job applicants and select the best person for each job based on relevant skills and experience.

We are also committed to building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and encouraging equality and diversity.

The information you provide will stay confidential, and be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Qualifications

• Qualified account (CIMA, ACCA or chartered) with demonstrable experience in financial control or financial management.
• Financial management experience within a higher education context is highly desirable
• Experience of providing financial reports that meet the needs of regulatory bodies such as the Office for Students and for internal stakeholders such as Governing Body (the Board of Directors) and the senior executive.
• Experience with ESFA and apprenticeship levy funding would be an advantage.

Expected Results:

• Clear and regular financial reports and forecasts as required by all stake-holders, in particularly the PCL executive, the governing body, the regulator and the wider Pearson.
• Effective financial management and communication across PCL.
• Effective control framework with appropriate risk mitigation
• Delivery of relevant KPIs
• Delivery of investment and business cases
• Efficiency improvements where appropriate

Required Skills:

• The ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) appropriately to both finance and non-finance specialist colleagues.
• Strong analytical ability and focus. There is a high degree of analyst work involved in this role.
• A strong understanding of financial control and business performance management.
• The confidence to interact with senior management and an ability to leverage influence across teams and cultures.
• The ability to assist in decision making in a complex environment, with an understanding materiality, and an ability to prioritise effectively.
• Skills in the use of Oracle (OBIA/Projects) an advantage
• Skills in the use of Hyperion an advantage.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Qualified account (CIMA, ACCA or chartered) with demonstrable experience in financial control or financial management. • Financial management experience within a higher education context is highly desirable • Experience of providing financial reports that meet the needs of regulatory bodies such as the Office for Students and for internal stakeholders such as Governing Body (the Board of Directors) and the senior executive. • Experience with ESFA and apprenticeship levy funding would be an advantage.