Financial Accountant in Oxford

Oxford Brookes University is based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Financial Controller, the Financial Accountant is responsible for managing the University’s financial accounting operations and working capital. You will ensure the integrity of the balance sheet, lead on treasury and cash management, and manage an Assistant Accountant while working closely with finance staff across the University and external auditors. The role is not eligible for sponsorship for a skilled worker visa; applicants are required to have existing right to work in the UK.

About the Team

The Finance and Legal Services (FLS) directorate ensures the University’s financial stability through robust reporting, tax compliance, and treasury management. The team manages key internal relationships across all faculties and external partnerships with auditors and tax advisors to meet strict regulatory and statutory requirements. We are committed to continuous improvement of internal controls and providing professional development and mentorship within the team.

What will I be doing?

• Managing treasury operations, including cashflow forecasting and maximizing investment returns.
• Preparing the University’s Financial Statements and subsidiary accounts in accordance with HE SORP and UK accounting standards.
• Ensuring balance sheet integrity by overseeing reconciliations and the timely closure of the general ledger.
• Managing VAT and Corporation Tax returns and liaising with external advisors like KPMG.
• Performing monthly intercompany reconciliations to ensure accurate accounting across the group.
• Completing mandatory statistical returns for bodies such as the Office for Students (OfS) and HESA.
• Providing line management and mentorship to the Assistant Accountant, including setting performance objectives.

What skills do I need?

• CCAB part-qualified (or international equivalent) is an essential requirement.
• Significant experience in financial management within a large, complex organization, including year-end processes.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with proficiency in Excel and ERP systems.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven time management abilities to coordinate processes and meet strict deadlines.

Location and working arrangements

This role is based in the Buckley Building at our Headington Campus, offering a modern office environment within a vibrant campus atmosphere. The campus is easily accessible via regular public transport from Oxford city centre. This is an agile role, supporting a hybrid working arrangement that combines office-based collaboration with remote flexibility.

Benefits

As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 bank holidays and additional university concessionary days (normally 5 per year). We encourage and support hybrid working where the role allows and ensure that you have the necessary equipment to allow you to work flexibly. We have an extremely competitive Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, as well as providing all staff with access to an occupational health service, financial education, and a comprehensive employee assistance helpline. We prioritise the wellbeing of our employees - physically, mentally and financially - and we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team.

In addition, all employees have access to:

• Discounted rates for the university sports and gym facilities
• An on-site nursery (at Headington Campus; waiting lists for some ages).
• Discounted travel options
• Relocation scheme (for moves over 30 miles, subject to terms of the scheme)
• Training and development opportunities
• A connected community - Brookes have a wide variety of staff networks, which instil a sense of community and offer employees a space for support, guidance and friendship, making Brookes a vibrant and inclusive place to work.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background. As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.