Management Accountant

University of Derby; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university seeks a skilled finance professional to enhance financial performance through management information and analysis. This role involves leading the Management Accounting process, preparing budgets and forecasts, and advising on financial integrity within Professional Service Departments. The ideal candidate will hold a CCAB or CIMA qualification and possess strong analytical and communication skills. Join a supportive team providing crucial financial support that drives the university's academic mission.

Benefits

Inclusive culture

Opportunities for career development

Support for skills enhancement

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing financial plans, budgets, forecasts, and management accounts.
• Ability to interpret financial data and provide clear advice to non-financial managers.
• Experience with Higher Education or Further Education Funding and Accounting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level financial and business information to support financial performance.
• Lead monthly Management Accounting cycle, Budget preparation, and Forecast submissions.
• Work closely with Professional Service Departments to ensure financial integrity.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

CCAB or CIMA accounting qualification

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. 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

The main purpose of the role is to provide high‑level professional financial and business information, advice, and direction to support continuous improvement in financial performance, aligned with the University’s academic mission. Reporting into a Business Accountant you will be responsible for providing management information for the financial planning and monitoring of diverse activities within Professional Service 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. You will work closely with designated Professional Service Departments to deliver the above.

About You

You will hold, or be actively studying, a recognised CCAB or CIMA accounting qualification and have experience in preparing financial plans, budgets, forecasts, and management account. You will need strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and provide clear, actionable advice to non‑financial 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 Ralitsa Velinova, Business Accountant via [e-mail]. For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail].