Senior Finance Officer

Birmingham City University; England; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A public university in the UK is seeking a Senior Finance Officer to join the Business Partnering team. This role involves providing high-quality financial support to various departments, helping senior management make informed decisions. The position operates on a hybrid basis, requiring three days on-site and two from home. Candidates should have strong Excel skills and relevant financial experience. The university is committed to diversity and aims to empower all employees.

Qualifications

• Experience providing finance support to senior managers.
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines accurately.
• Knowledge of external grant funding processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide finance and accountancy support for departments and projects.
• Advise budget holders on financial management and forecasts.
• Produce accurate and timely financial reports.
• Lead audits and maintain financial integrity.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on funding and compliance.

Skills

Strong Excel skills

Good communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Experience with financial systems

Education

Part-qualified accountant (CCAB recognised)

Higher education finance experience

Job description

Department Financial Planning and Reporting Location Joseph Priestley Building Salary £38,050 to £44,131per annum Permanent Post Type Full Time Release Date 15 January 2026 Closing Date 23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 08 February 2026 Reference F126001

Birmingham City University is seeking a Senior Finance Officer to join our Business Partnering team. Reporting to the Senior Finance Business Partner, you’ll provide high-quality financial support to Schools, Professional Service Departments, and Projects, helping senior teams make informed operational and strategic decisions. The role operates on a hybrid basis, with three days per week based on-site in the office and two days working from home. Interviews will be conducted in person.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide finance and accountancy support for departments and projects.
• Advise budget holders and senior managers on financial management, forecasts, and variances.
• Produce accurate, timely management information and financial reports.
• Lead audits, maintain financial integrity, and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Support payroll processes, statutory returns, and project costing.
• Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and transparency.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on funding, reporting, and compliance.
• Part-qualified accountant (CCAB recognised) or equivalent experience.
• Experience providing finance support to senior managers.
• Strong Excel and IT skills; experience with financial systems.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines with accuracy.
• Higher education finance experience, including costing/resource allocation.
• Knowledge of external grant funding processes.

Join us and play a key role in supporting the University’s financial decision-making, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and sustainability across all areas.

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.