Financial Accountant

University of Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Annual leave and family leave benefits

Job summary

University of Oxford is seeking a senior Financial Accountant to manage statutory reporting for trusts, investments and endowments within the Finance Division. The role oversees complex portfolios and provides expert accounting guidance to governance bodies, external advisers and auditors.

You will lead the team, coordinate with colleagues across the University, and drive improvements in data quality, controls and timely reporting. Hybrid/remote options are available.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with relevant professional certification (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA).
• Experience leading financial reporting in complex organisations.
• Good knowledge of accounting policies, regulations and reporting requirements.
• Experience in HE/not-for-profit or endowments/investments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead elements of the annual Financial Statements and regulatory returns.
• Provide authoritative accounting guidance on complex matters across Chest, Investments, Trusts and Endowments.
• Strengthen financial controls and support senior decision-making through clear reporting.

Skills

Accounting qualification

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

IT proficiency

Analytical thinking

Education

ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA

Tools

Oracle Financials

Excel

Power BI

Job description

We are seeking a Financial Accountant to join the Finance Division here at the University of Oxford, playing a key role in the management and statutory reporting for the University’s trusts, investments and endowments.

Location: Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, with the option of some hybrid/remote working

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

About Us

Spanning the historic streets of the "city of dreaming spires", the University of Oxford has been ranked the world's leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.

The Finance Division is integral to the University, aiming to enable world-class research and education by collaborating on sound financial strategy to provide long term resources, underpinned by excellent operational and professional services.

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.

About the Role

This is a senior technical accounting role with responsibility for financial reporting, control and analysis across the University Chest, Investments, Trusts and Endowments. You will oversee areas of considerable financial complexity and institutional significance, including accounting and reporting relating to a multi-billion-pound investment and endowment portfolio and substantial University reserves. Your expertise and professional judgement will contribute directly to the integrity of the University’s statutory reporting and regulatory compliance.

You will lead significant elements of the annual Financial Statements, Strategic Report and regulatory returns, while providing authoritative advice on complex accounting matters. Working with colleagues across the University and with external investment managers, advisers and auditors, you will strengthen financial controls, provide insight into financial performance and valuation movements, and translate complex information into clear advice that supports effective governance and senior decision-making.

Alongside direct management responsibility for an Assistant Financial Accountant (Investments) and a Project Accountant, you will provide technical leadership across the wider Financial Reporting team. Success in the role will mean delivering high-quality reporting and controls while improving processes, data quality and the accessibility of financial information, helping the University manage its resources with clarity, confidence and effective oversight.

About You

• Hold an accounting qualification such as ACA, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA.
• Relevant post qualified accounting experience in a range of accounting functions, including in a financial or management accounting role.
• Experience in a large complex accounting environment with proven and demonstrable technical accounting skills, including understanding and interpreting financial policies, regulations and reporting requirements.
• Experience of the Higher Education, not-for-profit or charity sectors with especially within organisations that endowments or investment funds
• Proven leadership and teamwork skills, especially in communicating with and developing other staff.
• Strong IT understanding of financial systems, including experience of using such systems, ideally Oracle
• Strong excel skills and willingness to learn new reporting tools like Power BI.
• High levels of personal effectiveness, particularly co-ordination, organization, and the ability to focus onachieving deadlines, ensuring that timetables/project plans can be met.
• Experience of Oracle Financials

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 22 October

Interviews will take place Late October early November and will be held face-to-face.