Interim Head of Financial Accounts (Fixed Term)

Leeds Trinity University; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Leeds Trinity University is seeking a senior financial accounting leader to head statutory reporting and ensure regulatory compliance. You will guide the year-end close, oversee audits, and strengthen financial controls across the organisation.

The role focuses on delivering accurate financial statements, managing regulatory returns, and providing clear financial guidance to senior stakeholders in a complex university environment.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting.
• Experience with audit management and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead year-end close process and prepare annual financial statements.
• Act as principal contact for internal and external auditors.
• Manage statutory and regulatory returns (HMRC, ONS, OfS, Charity Commission).
• Oversee balance sheet governance, reconciliations and fixed asset accounting.
• Lead treasury activities including cash flow forecasting, banking and investments.
• Ensure taxation compliance including VAT and partial exemption calculations.
• Provide leadership to the Financial Transactions function and develop finance controls.

Skills

Financial accounting

Statutory reporting

Audit management

Treasury management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

6 Months Fixed Term

Immediate start available

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Strategic Planning, you will lead the University's statutory financial reporting and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining a strong financial control environment while providing expert financial advice to senior stakeholders.

• Leading the year-end close process and preparation of annual financial statements.
• Acting as the principal contact for internal and external auditors.
• Managing statutory and regulatory returns, including HMRC, ONS, OfS, Charity Commission and other sector-specific requirements.
• Overseeing balance sheet governance, reconciliations and fixed asset accounting.
• Leading treasury management activities, including cash flow forecasting, banking, investments and borrowing facilities.
• Managing taxation compliance, including VAT returns and partial exemption calculations.
• Providing leadership to the Financial Transactions function and supporting the development of finance systems, processes and controls.
• Deputising for senior finance colleagues as required

About You

We are looking for an experienced financial accounting leader who can quickly build credibility and deliver results in a complex organisation.

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in financial accounting, statutory reporting and audit management.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, financial controls and regulatory compliance.
• Experience of treasury management, taxation and balance sheet management.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
• The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Experience within higher education, public sector or not-for-profit organisations would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take on a senior leadership role where your expertise will have an immediate impact. You'll work alongside a collaborative leadership team and help shape the University's financial reporting and compliance agenda during a key period.

Leeds Trinity University values diversity and inclusion and particularly encourages applications from the following groups as they are currently under-represented within the University: Women, LGBTQ+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants, as well as candidates with disabilities, whether hidden or otherwise. The University will consider all forms of flexible working arrangements.