At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape financial strategies and support academic faculties in a dynamic finance team.
- Company: Join a top 10 UK University known for its innovative research and vibrant community.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, discounts, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team making a real impact in education and research.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong communication and Excel skills; experience in higher education is a plus.
- Other info: Open to part-time arrangements; interviews on 17th/18th July.
The predicted salary is between 38700 - 46600 £ per year.
Department: Finance & Procurement
Salary: Starting from £46,735, rising to £55,755
Contract Type: Full-Time, Open Ended
Closing date: Sunday 06 July 2025
Reference: FM12817
Are you a qualified accountant ready to take your next step into a role blending strategic influence and stakeholder engagement? Join our collaborative finance team and support world-leading research and education.
About the role
This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the financial future of our academic faculties while developing your own career in an encouraging and flexible environment. We are a top 10 UK University recognised for internationally excellent research and our staff are a vital part of our vibrant and innovative community.
The finance business partner element of the role provides the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge of the factors driving income and costs in the academic departments in the faculty and to support them with strategic planning and other ad-hoc projects. The other element of the role provides key knowledge and tools to the rest of the Management Accounting team and preparation of university-wide statutory returns.
The role will include:
- Planning and forecasting for the faculty
- Quarter-end and year-end financial processes
- Business partnering with Deans, Directors of Administration, and Associate Deans
- Project work, business cases, and processing staff request forms
- Mentoring and developing an Accountant Technician
- Communicating financial information to non-financial academic staff
This position is offered on a full-time, open-ended basis. You’ll benefit from a hybrid working pattern, working on-site two days per week (once at the Virgil Building, and another day on campus).
We are open to a part-time (4 days per week) arrangement – please state your interest within your application form.
About you
You may be in a management accounting role already and looking to develop finance business partnering skills to become a key advisor. This role could also suit someone who enjoys working in a team, involvement with different activities, and the chance to develop and own practices and processes.
Our ideal candidate will:
- Be a qualified accountant with experience or a curiosity about the Higher Education sector and how universities are funded
- Have strong accounting skills including budgeting, forecasting, and other reporting
- Possess great communication skills at all levels
- Have good Excel skills and experience in using finance systems to an intermediate level such as designing reports
- Be able to adapt to a changing environment
- Experience in finance business partnering within a complex organisation is desirable, but we are open to development if you possess the soft skills required for the role.
Further information
For an informal discussion, please contact Sam Gardiner, Lead Accountant (Academic Areas).
Interviews are expected to take place in person, on the 17th and/or 18th July.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, and we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader, and an autism-friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you:
We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work-life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
Faculty Accountant employer: Webrecruit
Contact Detail:
Webrecruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Faculty Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Higher Education sector and its funding mechanisms. Understanding how universities operate financially will give you a significant edge during interviews, as you'll be able to speak knowledgeably about the challenges and opportunities in this environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the finance and higher education sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet people who work in similar roles. This can provide you with insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Excel skills, especially in designing reports and data analysis. Being proficient in Excel is crucial for this role, and demonstrating your ability to handle financial data effectively can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by thinking of examples that showcase your communication skills, particularly in explaining financial concepts to non-financial staff. This is a key part of the role, and being able to articulate your experience will demonstrate your suitability.
We think you need these skills to ace Faculty Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications and experience relevant to the Faculty Accountant role. Emphasise your accounting skills, budgeting, forecasting, and any experience in finance business partnering.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that explains why you are interested in this position and how your background aligns with the university's goals. Mention your curiosity about the Higher Education sector and your ability to communicate financial information effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your strategic influence and stakeholder engagement skills. Use metrics where possible to showcase your achievements.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Convey your passion for working in a collaborative finance team and your eagerness to support world-leading research and education. This can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Webrecruit
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities of a Faculty Accountant. Be prepared to discuss how your skills in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting align with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves communicating financial information to non-financial staff, practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with diverse stakeholders in the past.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The job requires adapting to a changing environment, so think of instances where you've successfully navigated change in your previous roles. Be ready to share these experiences during the interview.
✨Prepare Questions
Have thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers about the finance team, the university's strategic goals, and how the Faculty Accountant role contributes to them. This shows your genuine interest in the position and the organisation.