Financial Accountant

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Manchester seeks a skilled Financial Accountant to manage financial reporting and lead statutory account production. In this key role, you will support financial forecasting and reporting, develop financial models, and enhance financial processes. The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant with significant experience in large organizations and strong analytical skills. This role includes a transition from SAP to Oracle Fusion, offering an opportunity for professional development in a diverse, inclusive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified accountant (ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA).
• Relevant post-qualification experience in a large, complex organization.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting and statutory accounts production.

Responsibilities

• Lead production of the university's annual statutory accounts.
• Prepare detailed management reports and forecasts.
• Provide advice on statutory reporting requirements.
• Support audit processes as key contact.
• Maintain financial models for forecasting.

Skills

Financial reporting

Forecasting

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Financial modelling

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

Oracle

Excel

Job description

Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the UK's most ambitious and progressive universities. We are now looking to appoint a highly skilled and qualified Financial Accountant to join our Business Planning and Reporting Services team.

This is a key role within Finance and Procurement, taking responsibility for the University's financial reporting, forecasting and statutory returns, while also leading on development work to enhance financial processes, controls and systems.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Financial Accountant, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the University's financial reporting obligations are delivered to the highest standard.

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking a lead role in the production of the University's annual statutory accounts and management of the year-end process.
• Preparing financial forecasts, detailed management reports and statutory returns.
• Providing specialist advice on statutory reporting requirements to senior stakeholders across the University.
• Acting as a key point of contact for internal and external auditors, responding to queries and supporting audit processes.
• Developing and maintaining robust financial models to support forecasting, scenario planning and strategic decision‑making.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of the University's Finance Strategy, policies and procedures.
• Leading and supporting colleagues across Finance and Procurement, including training on systems and reporting tools (e.g. Oracle, Excel).
• Building strong working relationships with academic and professional services colleagues to support effective financial planning, reporting and control.

2025/26 is the first year of reporting in Oracle Fusion. Therefore, a major part of the role will be working on the transition from SAP to Oracle fusion.

You will also contribute to project work and continuous improvement initiatives across the Directorate, ensuring financial processes evolve in line with the University's strategic goals.

About You

You will be a professionally qualified accountant (ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with relevant post‑qualification experience, ideally within a large and complex organisation.

You will bring:

Essential criteria:

• A professional accountancy qualification (ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) and evidence of continuing professional development.
• Significant experience within a large accounting environment, ideally in a devolved budgeting context.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, forecasting and statutory accounts production.
• Advanced analytical and financial modelling skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and present it clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Experience of leading staff, projects or cross‑team initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and liaise confidently with senior colleagues and external partners.
• Experience using financial systems, including Oracle, and advanced use of Excel and reporting tools.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience within the higher education or public sector environment.
• Experience contributing to strategic financial planning and large‑scale transformation projects.

You will also demonstrate a proactive approach to continuous improvement, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering high‑quality financial services.

How to Apply

Please apply via our online recruitment system, submitting your CV and a supporting statement outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Interviews will take place the week commencing 19th January.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.