Accountancy Assistant

EMEA3 Recruitment; Stirling; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University seeks a Finance professional to provide specialist financial advice across designated areas, leading budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting. The postholder will work with Heads and senior colleagues to support planning and decision‑making.

They will monitor income and expenditure, prepare monthly and quarterly management accounts, and contribute to year-end financial accounting and forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for the annual budget-setting process for designated areas of responsibility, covering income, staffing costs and other operating expenditure. Work proactively with Heads of relevant areas to establish financial requirements, taking account of available resources and changing operational activities
• Monitor income and expenditure against approved budgets throughout the financial year, providing appropriate financial advice and support to budgetholders to promote effective budget management. Identify areas of concern and collaborate with relevant colleagues to agree appropriate corrective action
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly and quarterly management accounts for designated areas of responsibility, liaising with relevant colleagues to investigate and resolve issues and providing meaningful variance analysis and commentary
• Support the preparation of year-end financial accounts, working closely with relevant areas and external auditors and providing clear explanations and supporting information as required
• Maintain and update financial forecasts throughout the year, investigating significant changes and variances, identifying emerging financial pressures or opportunities, and collaborating with relevant colleagues to agree appropriate corrective action. Ensure that all known commitments are appropriately identified and reflected within forecasts
• Prepare and provide high-quality financial management information to support financial planning, analysis and informed decision making, including contributions to the University's Strategic Planning process
• Prepare, review, and validate financial information and returns submitted to external stakeholders, ensuring that information is accurate, complete, and submitted within required timescales
• Provide support to the Service Accountant in the delivery of the above responsibilities and contribute to the effective operation of the wider Finance function
• Provide timely and appropriate financial advice and guidance to staff within designated areas of responsibility, ensuring the correct and consistent application of the University's Financial Regulations, policies, and procedures
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial processes, reporting and procedures within the areas of responsibility, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the quality of financial information

Job description

The Post

The postholder will provide specialist financial advice, guidance and support on financial policies, procedures, and regulations across a portfolio of designated areas of responsibility, which may include Academic Faculties, Professional Services, and/or Commercial Services.

The postholder will lead on the provision of financial management support, including budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting and variance analysis in relation to income, staffing costs and other operating expenditure. They will work proactively with Heads and senior colleagues within their areas of responsibility to support effective financial planning, management, and decision-making.

Description of Duties

• Prepare for the annual budget-setting process for designated areas of responsibility, covering income, staffing costs and other operating expenditure. Work proactively with Heads of relevant areas to establish financial requirements, taking account of available resources and changing operational activities


• Monitor income and expenditure against approved budgets throughout the financial year, providing appropriate financial advice and support to budgetholders to promote effective budget management. Identify areas of concern and collaborate with relevant colleagues to agree appropriate corrective action


• Prepare accurate and timely monthly and quarterly management accounts for designated areas of responsibility, liaising with relevant colleagues to investigate and resolve issues and providing meaningful variance analysis and commentary


• Support the preparation of year-end financial accounts, working closely with relevant areas and external auditors and providing clear explanations and supporting information as required


• Maintain and update financial forecasts throughout the year, investigating significant changes and variances, identifying emerging financial pressures or opportunities, and collaborating with relevant colleagues to agree appropriate corrective action. Ensure that all known commitments are appropriately identified and reflected within forecasts


• Prepare and provide high-quality financial management information to support financial planning, analysis and informed decision making, including contributions to the University's Strategic Planning process


• Prepare, review, and validate financial information and returns submitted to external stakeholders, ensuring that information is accurate, complete, and submitted within required timescales


• Provide support to the Service Accountant in the delivery of the above responsibilities and contribute to the effective operation of the wider Finance function


• Provide timely and appropriate financial advice and guidance to staff within designated areas of responsibility, ensuring the correct and consistent application of the University's Financial Regulations, policies, and procedures


• Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial processes, reporting and procedures within the areas of responsibility, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the quality of financial information