Project Accountant (12-Month Maternity Cover) – Research Finance

Coventry University Group; Coventry; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contributions

Annual leave 30 days

Holiday purchase scheme

Life assurance

BUPA cash plan

Staff tuition discounts

CU Reward Scheme discounts

Cycle to work

Job summary

Coventry University Group is recruiting an Assistant Project Accountant to join the Research Finance and Performance team in Coventry. You will support forecasting, project costing, and financial reporting for externally funded projects, ensuring income is maximised and expenditure is fully supported.

You will work on grant claims, invoices, and maintain controls through audits, while building strong stakeholder relationships and meeting deadlines in a busy higher education environment.

Qualifications

• Part qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA) or equivalent.
• Strong budgeting and forecast preparation background.
• Experience in management accounting and project costing.
• Experience in financial analysis and reporting on costings.
• Experience in Higher Education or research/public funding would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist in applying accurate accounting processes and review externally funded projects to maximise income and ensure expenditure is fully supported.
• Support financial management and governance of research and commercial projects, ensuring funder requirements and policies are followed.
• Monitor project finances, produce financial reports, analyse variances, and highlight risks and opportunities.
• Prepare and review grant claims and invoices, ensuring expenditure eligibility and timely income recovery.
• Maintain strong financial controls through audits, manage evidence, and ensure funder regulation compliance.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Management accounting

Project costing

Financial analysis

Reporting

Stakeholder management

Teamwork

Numeracy

Spreadsheets

Education

CIMA/ACCA

Equivalent qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

Coventry University Group is recruiting an Assistant Project Accountant to join the Research Finance and Performance team in Coventry. You will support forecasting, project costing, and financial reporting for externally funded projects, ensuring income is maximised and expenditure is fully supported.

You will work on grant claims, invoices, and maintain controls through audits, while building strong stakeholder relationships and meeting deadlines in a busy higher education environment.