Business Accountant

University of Derby; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a qualified Accountant to join its Business Accounting Support team. The role involves providing management information for financial planning and monitoring, leading the monthly accounting cycle, and working closely with various departments to enhance financial performance. Ideal candidates will possess strong interpersonal and financial analysis skills, alongside experience in higher education funding. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to the financial health of the university in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Inclusive culture

Opportunities for career development

Supportive management

Qualifications

• Pro-active approach to financial management.
• Experience in Higher Education funding and accounting is desirable.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with senior managers.

Responsibilities

• Provide management information for financial planning and monitoring.
• Lead monthly management accounting cycle and budget preparation.
• Deliver high level financial advice and direction.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Financial analysis

Risk management

Education

Qualified Accountant

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground‑breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

The Finance and Procurement teams plays a crucial role in enabling the University to deliver on its strategic aims. This involves managing and maximising the University’s financial resources while providing expert financial advice and support to the wider University community. Our responsibilities encompass a wide range of essential functions, including providing strategic business partnering, delivering value from supplier relationships, managing effective working capital and cashflow and providing key financial support for our students. Additionally, we oversee all aspects of payroll and pensions management, and deliver comprehensive support for financial systems, tax compliance, and audit needs. Through these activities, we provide assurance to the University community around the financial health and efficiency of the University, supporting its mission and operations.

The Finance Department act as business partners, working collaboratively to provide an exceptional service to stakeholders within Colleges and Professional Services departments, in support of the University’s strategic objectives.

We produce, analyse and disseminate financial and business information and provide advice to support and improve the financial performance of the University.

The team oversee and influence the smooth operation of all financial transactions within the University and are responsible for the production of annual statutory accounts.

About the Role

This is a pivotal role to the financial management of University activity. Reporting into the Head of Financial Performance Management you will be responsible for providing management information for the financial planning and monitoring of diverse activities within Colleges/Departments. For specified areas you will lead the monthly Management Accounting cycle, Budget preparation and Forecast submissions, providing analysis and commentary to enhance the decision making of budget holders and a range of University managers, looking to drive sustainable financial performance.

The role will require the provision of high level financial and business information, direction and advice to a range of internal customers, the ability to identify and manage risk, and to ensure the financial integrity of business operations. The post holder who will manage a small team will also work closely with designated College/Professional Service Departments to deliver the above.

About You

The University is looking to appoint a qualified Accountant to join the Business Accounting Support team.

The role will require a pro‑active approach to work, and demonstrable interpersonal skills to enable the post holder to build strong and effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels, including senior managers.

Experience of Higher Education Experience and/or Further Education Funding and Accounting, including Research, Innovation and Commercial funding, costing and reporting, is highly desirable.

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Estelle Long, Head of Financial Performance Management via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail]