Tax and Financial Accountant

Aber; Aberystwyth; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working policy

Hybrid Working

36.5-hour week

Generous leave entitlements

Professional Development

Pension scheme enhancements

Staff recognition

Welsh language learning

Staff relocation bursary

Parental leave

Staff gym discounts

Job summary

Aberystwyth University is seeking a qualified CCAB Accountant to join the Tax, Compliance and Assurance team. The role focuses on statutory financial reporting, taxation compliance and financial operations across the university.

The post-holder will provide specialist financial advice and develop systems and BI tools to enhance reporting and decision-making. Essential requirements include CCAB qualification, 2+ years of financial statements or external audits, and proficient IT skills

Qualifications

• Qualified CCAB Accountant.
• 2+ years’ experience producing financial statements or undertaking external financial audits.
• Knowledge of tax matters, VAT and financial regulations.
• Strong IT and analytical skills; proficient with Excel and Word.
• Ability to lead and develop internal networks and relationships.
• Welsh language ability at level C1 (spoken and written).
• Desirable: experience writing financial policies and procedures; experience with complex financial systems; HE sector knowledge; Welsh language at level B2.

Responsibilities

• Integrity of financial transactions, VAT control and fixed assets reconciliation.
• Lead day-to-day production of annual consolidated financial statements and liaise with external auditor.
• Coordinate year-end procedures; manage external and internal audits.
• Provide taxation compliance guidance and VAT planning support.
• Improve financial systems and reporting through development of IT solutions and BI tools.
• Support endowments and pension schemes reporting and related statutory returns.

Education

Qualified CCAB Accountant

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

The Role

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.

The purpose of this role will be to provide financial support to the Tax & Investments Manager and to ensure the financial compliance and operations of the Department are delivered effectively.

With finance experience in financial statements or external auditing, the successful applicant must be a capable team worker and highly organised. Dealing with enquiries from across the university and outside organisations, the applicant must be an effective communicator and able to prioritise a changeable workload.

The post-holder will be expected to work across the full range of Finance functions.

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

The role is part of theTax, Compliance and Assuranceteam responsible for the overall financial accounting services of the institution including subsidiaries. The teamis responsible forstatutory financial reporting, the integrity of financial transaction, financial and taxation compliance, external regulatoryand covenantcompliance, and treasury management.The postholder will provide professional and specialist advice to a range of stakeholders across the institution.

This is a wide-ranging role, and the post-holder will engage with colleagues across a range of disciplines, promoting financial decision-making, capital developments, efficiencies, and the overall sustainability of the University. The development of technological solutions, business intelligence and knowledge transfer are integral to this role. There is a focus on delivery of outcomes in this role

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Integrity of Financial Transactions

• Monitorthe monthly reconciliation of balance sheet items, including VAT control accounts in line with Make Tax Digital for VAT legislation.
• Tomonitorand manage the recording of the University Fixed Assetsassessing opportunity for systemic improvement.
• To ensure that the monthly process to ensure accuracy and completeness of income and expenditure for all departments is completed and communicated appropriately and in line with financial regulations.
• Tomaintainthe general ledgerand to contribute to finance system process improvements where appropriate

Statutory Financial Reporting

• Lead the day-to-dayproduction of the University’s annualconsolidatedfinancial statements, including any changes in the FE/HE SORP and/orMedraccounts direction statements.Advisingthe Head of Financial Operations and Compliance whereappropriate.
• Lead onco-ordination of year end procedures andmanageliaison with external auditor for the Universityconsolidatedaccounts (incorporating University and its subsidiaries), escalating to the Head of Financial Operations and Compliance where needed.
• Lead onthe preparation of statistical returns including HESA Finance Return, Office of National Statistics returns, Charities Commission return and any ad-hoc returns asrequired.

Internal Audit

• Lead onthe co-ordination,monitoringand reporting progress on completing recommendations made by University Internal Auditor.
• Production of Internal Audit recommendation summary and related papers for the University’s Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee.

Taxation Compliance

• To supportandadvisethe University and subsidiaries with respect to taxand VATmattersand ensure the Group remain compliant.
• Lead on andadvisetheHead of Financial Operations and Compliancein the development and implementation of tax planning in collaboration with external advisors.
• Preparing VAT and other taxation financial planning, appraisal, and oversight of designated large capital initiatives.
• Managing engagement in multiple complex concurrent projects, providingtimelysupport and guidance for strategic, operational and taxation planning, including the applicable tax treatment for international courses delivered both face-to-faceoronline.
• Lead on theaccurateandtimelypreparation of the VAT return and other statutory taxation returns,with support from the Tax and Compliance Officer,ensuring associated payments for the University and subsidiary companiesin accordance withlegal requirements.
• The preparation and input of VAT annual adjustments.
• To contribute andadviseDepartments on various taxation advice and financial policy decisions and Financial Regulations and communicate inan appropriate formatin line with Department guidelines.
• To be the first point of contact for staff to provide expert advice and guidance with respect to VAT and for other tax issues.
• Manage the University’s relationship with HMRC, being a key point of contact

Finance Systems

• Drive continuous improvement of effectiveness and efficiency in financial reporting.
• Ensure that the financial systems, regulations, procedures, and controls are in place to safeguard assets and meet the University’s internal & external reporting obligations.
• Development of systems and approaches that maximise efficient production of quality financial information for users, deployment of new mechanisms.
• Create operational efficiencies within the department by developing technological solutions, utilising ABW and other IT tools to deliver financial reports.
• To work collaboratively as part of a central Finance Team, ensuring operational excellence and consistency of practice; responding effectively to stakeholder requirements and delivering support and information ina timelyand efficient manner and to work flexibly with theTax, Compliance and Assuranceteam asrequired.

Endowments

• Accounting for the University’s endowment transactionsensuring transparencyin the reporting of restricted and unrestricted funds and reserves.

Aberystwyth University Pension & Assurance Scheme (AUPAS)

• Be responsibleforthe production ofthe AUPAS’s annual accounts.
• Co-ordinate andmonitorthe year end procedures and liaison with external auditor for AUPASand other pension schemes.
• Co-ordinate the preparation of statutory returns including the AUPAS Tax Return, Annual Scheme Report, and any ad-hoc returns asrequired.
• To liaise with AUPAS’s Investment Advisors and Actuary.
• To support the bi-annual AUPAS Trustee meetingswith prescribed,timelyreports

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Building, developing, and supporting relationships with external stakeholders, such as taxation consultants, investment advisors, auditors, and actuaries.
• Providinganalytical advice and to advise on all financial matters.
• Implement and promote professional finance standards across the University.
• Take decisions with others on projects, financial appraisals and resource allocation matters through participation in committees and working groups.
• Delivering a rounded service, being accountable and taking responsibility for delivery of a high-quality service.
• Proactivelyparticipatein Finance team meetings, bringing and delivering agenda items.
• To organise project work relating to improvements in the quality offinancial managementinformation and resource allocation.
• Represent the Finance Department at a range of meetings including Major Capital Project meetings, as well as University wide cross-cutting meetings, presenting financial reports and contributing to wider discussion.
• Attending the BUFDG Welsh Tax Group meetings.
• Work as one Finance Department and liaise with colleagues over the allocation of work.
• Proactively deal with finance issues raised by staff inside and outside of the Department and achieve resolution.
• Training and guiding staff in relevant financial administrative procedures e.g., Financial Regulations & Proceduresand tax matters.
• Assistingstaff in becoming familiar with financial accounting, taxation, and related compliance procedures.
• Maintainingongoing professional development and CPD requirements.
• Delivering or organising training events and programmes for staff in departments.
• Be aware of health & safety issues in the workplace and undertake basic Risk Assessments, where necessary.
• Maintainingand promote a clean and professional work area.
• To work closely with theCash and Compliance Manager and Head of Financial Operations and Compliance.Provide guidance and development opportunities for the Tax and Compliance Officer.
• Create links with external bodies andparticipateinmeetingsas necessary.
• To keep up to date with tax legislation affecting the HEsector.
• To keep abreast of technical updates to SORP and UKgenerally acceptedaccounting principles.
• To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post. • To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how itoperateswithin the responsibilities of the post.
• To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
• Any other reasonable duties requestedcommensuratewith the grade of this role.
• To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

Essential

1. Qualified CCAB Accountant.
2. At least 2 years’ experience of producing financial statements; and/or experience in undertaking external financial audits.
3. Demonstrable knowledge and experience in basic direct and indirect tax matters.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and experience of both external and internal financial audits.
5. Good IT and analytical skills, being able to extract and manipulate data, in particular using Excel and Word.
6. Ability to lead and develop internal networks, actively seeking to build productive and enduring relationships between teams and to strengthen working relationships.
7. Good oral and written communication skills.
8. Experience in communicating financial issues in a straightforward and summarised way to non-financially trained staff.
9. Ability to work on their own initiative, but also contribute positively to team goals.
10. An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.
11. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level C1.*

Desirable

1. Experience in writing financial policies and procedures
2. Experience of working in complex financial system.
3. Knowledge in HE sector.
4. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B2.*

*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• Hybrid Working
• 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.

Please keep reading

Aberystwyth University generally supports hybrid working, allowing a mix of office-based and remote working for suitable roles to enhance flexibility and productivity. Job descriptions typically detail a primary work location alongside opportunities for flexible, remote, or home-based work, subject to service needs and manager approval.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.

We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Employment Visa

We welcome international applicants who are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route.

Under the points-based system, this role meets the criteria to be sponsored by AU for an SWR application. Please be advised that AU will only support the Certificate of Sponsorship for any employment visas and will not support the payment of the employment visa for the offered candidate and/or dependants.

Any prospective candidates coming to work for AU under the SWR will require a minimum of 70 points, made up of the following:

• Skilled Worker Route Points-Based System – Points – Meets (Yes / No)
• Mandatory / Non-tradeable Criteria (50 points) – A job offer from a UK licensed sponsor – 20 points – Yes
• Job is above the minimum sponsorable skill level – 20 points – Yes
• Appointed candidate to have appropriate knowledge of the English language* – 10 points – Yes
• Total = 50 points
• Tradeable Criteria (dependent on candidate appointed) – Salary meets minimum threshold – 20 points
• The candidate holds a PhD in a subject relevant to the job – 10 points
• The candidate holds a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job – 20 points
• The advertised role is on the UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL) – 20 points

*Appropriate knowledge is classed as the following:

• A national of a majority English speaking country
• Having an academic degree taught in English (if an overseas degree, must be verified by NARIC)
• Completing and passing an English language test at Level B1 or above.

For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa