At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial analysis and modelling to assess higher education sustainability.
- Company: Join the Office for Students, the independent regulator of higher education in England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of higher education while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified CCAB accountant with experience in financial analysis and reporting.
The predicted salary is between 56209 - 58820 £ per year.
We are looking for a fully qualified CCAB accountant with experience of leading on the analysis and modelling of a range of financial and other data, from a variety of sources, providing high quality outputs for both internal and external stakeholders. The Senior Analyst - Financial Sustainability role is key in assessing the financial health and sustainability of the higher education sector at an overall level, including supporting the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) area of work.
We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. We’re proud of our people, our culture and the benefits we offer. We care about supporting and developing our staff. At the OfS we want to create a welcoming and engaging working environment which is free from discrimination. We’re looking for skilled, committed people who care about students and their experience of higher education. Join us and you’ll be part of an energetic, forward-looking organisation with high ambitions and big opportunities for our people.
The Senior Analyst – Financial Sustainability role will be based in the Sector Financial Analysis team, part of the Regulation Directorate. In this role you will play a key part in fulfilling the OfS’s statutory duty to monitor and report on the financial sustainability of higher education providers and financial patterns and trends across the sector. The post holder will contribute to a programme of analysis and modelling focused on the financial sustainability and risks facing the higher education sector. Working as part of the team you will be required to communicate the analysis in high‐quality outputs, including external publications which require a high level of accuracy.
You will be a fully qualified CCAB accountant with experience in analysing and modelling data, including financial data. You will also have an understanding, or a willingness to develop an understanding, of costing systems such as activity based costing. Experience of contributing your findings to high-quality outputs - for instance, non-standard written reports or similar documents - such as our Financial Sustainability of the sector publication, is essential. Strong team-working skills are also vital for success in this role. You will work closely with members of the Sector Financial Analysis team, as well as colleagues across the wider organisation, to achieve shared goals.
Essential experience required for this role:
- Experience in financial analysis and modelling.
- Providing professional finance analysis and costing expertise.
- Experience of working cross-functionally.
- Proven ability to contribute to high-quality reports and publications.
- An understanding of the Higher Education Sector and Public Sector finances.
- A CCAB accounting qualification with up-to-date CPD.
Desirable experience:
- Experience of working in the higher education sector.
- Experience of analysing the financial data of higher education providers.
- Experience of the HE sector costing methodology – TRAC.
As part of the initial application process you will be asked to respond to three questions. We will use your written responses to these questions and your career history and experience to shortlist candidates for interview.
The OfS regulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do. We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Flexibility is important to the OfS, as we recognise that it can enable people to work more effectively. A set of organisation-wide principles shape our approach to flexible and hybrid working, which our teams then use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. This would usually mean working from the office for two or three days in a typical week.
If you would like to talk further to someone about this role, please contact us at: recruitmentteam@officeforstudents.org.uk.
Closing date for applications: Monday 8 June 2026 at noon
Interviews: from week commencing Monday 15 June 2026. As part of the interview process, candidates will be asked to complete an Excel based assessment. Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates ahead of the interview.
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application stage, please contact us at recruitmentteam@officeforstudents.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
Senior Financial Sustainability Analyst in Bristol employer: Access Ltd
The Office for Students (OfS) is an exceptional employer located in Bristol, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With a generous Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension and a commitment to flexible working arrangements, the OfS fosters a collaborative environment where skilled professionals can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the higher education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Sustainability Analyst in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the higher education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the OfS and understand their mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills in financial analysis and modelling can contribute to their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about the sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your Excel skills! Since there’s an Excel-based assessment in the interview process, brush up on your data analysis and modelling techniques. The more comfortable you are with the tools, the more confident you'll feel during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the OfS team and making a difference in the higher education landscape.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Sustainability Analyst in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Responses:Make sure to tailor your written responses to the specific questions asked. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the Senior Analyst - Financial Sustainability role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your CCAB qualifications and any financial analysis experience. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate your ability to produce high-quality outputs, as this is key for us.
Be Clear and Concise:When answering the application questions, keep your language clear and concise. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your points are easy to understand. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Access Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Financial Sustainability Analyst, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial analysis and modelling. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This will show that you can provide high-quality outputs for stakeholders.
✨Understand the Sector
Familiarise yourself with the higher education sector and its financial landscape. Research current trends, challenges, and the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC). Being able to speak knowledgeably about these topics will impress your interviewers and show your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for the Excel Assessment
Since you'll be completing an Excel-based assessment during the interview, practice your Excel skills beforehand. Focus on data analysis functions, pivot tables, and financial modelling techniques. This preparation will help you feel confident and ready to tackle the assessment.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll need to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively. Prepare examples of how you've contributed to high-quality reports or publications in the past. Highlight your ability to work cross-functionally and how you’ve collaborated with teams to achieve shared goals.
