Vacancy Type/Job category
Management & Professional
Department
Finance
Sub Department
Group Accounting and Treasury
Salary
£41,526 – £49,553 per annum + £5,000 market supplement per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
Full-time (36.5 hours per week), 14 month fixed term contract to start ASAP to cover maternity leave.
The University of Warwick is one of the UK’s great success stories. In less than 50 years since being founded we have become one of the country’s best universities, consistently in the top 10 of UK league tables and rapidly climbing the international rankings of world class universities. With a reputation for entrepreneurial spirit and group turnover in excess of £600m the University offers exciting career opportunities for accountants.
This opportunity sits within the Group Accounting Team, which covers both Management Accounting and Financial Reporting for the University. The Group Accounting Team is responsible for statutory reporting for the University from the consolidated Financial Statements to the OfS (Office for Students) and other funding bodies.
As the data hub of the Finance office, the Group Accounting Team has the unique position of reporting across all areas of the University from Academic departments to Administration and Commercial activities.
We are looking for a qualified accountant with a good honours degree, a pro-active individual with excellent technical accounting knowledge, strong excel skills, with experience of preparation and analysis of consolidated financial information. The individual should be well organised with the ability to meet strict reporting deadlines.
The role will be working closely with the Group Accountant, covering the preparation and review of the University’s consolidated accounting information, including:
– quarterly management accounts and year end statutory accounts.
– financial plans.
– preparation of committee papers and supporting analysis.
– preparation of Statutory Government financial returns (e.g. OfS and HESA) and review of related returns from other departments.
In addition you will support the Finance Office and Group Accountant in other areas by providing accurate and timely management information to senior University management across academic departments, commercial activities and other ad hoc tasks, in order to aid planning, control and decision-making, especially in the deployment of University resources. Your excel and data analysis skills will be an important factor throughout this work.
You will have a strong understanding of the latest accounting concepts and principles, and be able to provide financial accounting advice and information to finance and non-finance colleagues from a wide variety of departments, on all aspects of financial reporting, an overview of the reporting structure of financial systems and best practice in all financial matters.
A £5,000 per annum market supplement (pro-rated and non-pensionable) is available for the successful applicant on provision of proof of current membership of an approved accounting body and evidence they hold the appropriate accountancy qualifications.
Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
To provide accurate and timely management information to senior University management, Chairs of academic departments and Heads of administrative departments, and for inclusion in reports to external government bodies, in order to aid planning, control and decision-making, especially in the deployment of University resources.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Based in the Group Accounting team in the University’s Finance Office your responsibilities will include:
1. To be responsible for the preparation of financial information for academic and administrative departments and commercial activities, including financial accounts if applicable, management accounts, reports to committees, budgets, five-year plans, cash flow forecasts and project assessments.
2. To assist in the preparation and review of the University group’s management and statutory accounts and plans.
3. To provide financial advice and information to Heads of Departments, other academic members of staff and managers of a wide variety of departments.
4. Special projects, usually involving preparing full business plans and critically appraising such new ventures.
5. To offer constructive criticism, advice and counsel on a variety of financial matters, including possibly pricing policy, market analysis, business risk and performance indicators.
6. To service Boards or University committees, including the preparation of agenda, minutes and papers on issues requiring decisions.
7. Contract review and appraisal to ensure compliance with University procedures, best practice and commercial application.
8. Routine work and ad hoc assignments as required.
Person Specification
The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.
Essential Criteria 1
Recognised accountancy qualification (CCAB) (a)
Essential Criteria 2
Broad experience within a finance function, including preparing business plans (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 3
In depth understanding of the structure of large scale finance systems e.g. SAP (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 4
Excellent IT skills, including excel (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 5
Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 6
Sound knowledge of accounting standards and good overall technical awareness (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 7
Substantial experience of management accounting as well as statutory accounts preparation (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 8
Sound knowledge of VAT and corporation tax (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 9
A good honours degree or equivalent (a)(c)
Essential Criteria 10
Ability to critically evaluate new business opportunities (a)(c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience of using SAP (a)(c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience of costing (a)(c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website.
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/ or are seeking sponsorship under Tier 2 of the UK points-based immigration system
please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship under Tier 2.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010
Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy
As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.
The University of Warwick has appointed SearchHigher as their recruitment partner for this campaign, please apply below by uploading your CV & Cover Letter. Alternatively, you can call Chris Boote on 07823524581 or email c.boote@searchhigher.com for a confidential conversation.