Head of Financial Accounting (Job Number: 26001364) in North East

Working Arrangements: Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm

Closing Date: 23-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM

The Role and the Department

The Head of Financial Accounting is a pivotal senior leadership role within the Finance Department, reporting directly to the Director of Finance and playing a critical part in safeguarding the University’s financial integrity, regulatory compliance and reputation.

As the University’s lead technical accounting expert, the postholder is responsible for leading the Financial Accounting function, encompassing financial reporting, treasury and cash management, balance sheet oversight, financial controls and the management of the external audit relationship. The role is fundamental to maintaining a robust financial control environment and ensuring compliance with all relevant accounting standards, regulatory requirements, governance obligations and sector-specific reporting frameworks.

As a member of the Finance Department Senior Leadership Team, the postholder provides strategic advice and expert guidance on complex accounting, financial governance and compliance matters, helping to support informed decision-making and effective risk management across the institution.

The role is particularly important in a period of increasing regulatory scrutiny and significant change within the higher education sector. The postholder will lead the University’s response to evolving accounting and reporting requirements, ensuring the continued integrity, accuracy and timeliness of financial information used for statutory reporting, regulatory submissions, management decision-making and external stakeholder assurance.

The postholder leads a team of 13 professional staff, with 3 direct reports, and is responsible for ensuring the team delivers a high-quality, efficient and resilient service that underpins the University’s financial stewardship, compliance obligations and long‑term strategic objectives.

This is a highly influential and business‑critical role with significant responsibility for protecting the University’s financial standing, supporting organisational success and ensuring confidence in its financial management and reporting.

The role offers hybrid working with a minimum of 40% office based per week however may increase to meet business needs, eg month end, audit etc.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional serviceshub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

Qualifications/Experience

1. Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with substantial post-qualification experience.
2. Professional practitioner with significant specialist knowledge and expertise in financial accounting, technical accounting, financial reporting and financial control, with the ability to influence service delivery, strategy and organisational decision‑making.
3. Experience of providing specialist technical accounting advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including senior leaders, executive colleagues, external auditors and governing bodies.
4. Significant experience of ensuring compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, organisational policies, governance frameworks and financial control requirements within a large and complex organisation.
5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
6. Experience of implementing policies, procedures and financial controls and leading service improvements that strengthen governance, efficiency and effectiveness.
7. Track record of leadership, management and development of professional finance teams and of delivering services across a large and complex organisation.
8. Significant experience of financial reporting, statutory accounts preparation, balance sheet management and external audit processes.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

1. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships and communicate complex financial information to both financial and non‑financial audiences.
2. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications, financial systems and business reporting tools.
3. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
4. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory, statutory and organisational policies, procedures and guidelines.
5. Extensive knowledge of financial accounting standards, financial reporting requirements, internal controls, governance and risk management frameworks.
6. Ability to contribute to planning and decision-making at operational and strategic levels.
7. Ability to solve complex problems, exercise sound professional judgement and determine and implement and plan appropriate solutions.
8. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial information and provide insight to support strategic decision‑making.
9. Ability to influence, challenge and support senior stakeholders while maintaining effective professional relationships.
10. Experience of working within the Higher Education sector or another large, complex and highly regulated organisation.
11. Experience of leading significant organisational change, financial transformation or systems improvement projects.
12. Experience of treasury management, cash management and investment activities.
13. Experience of developing and implementing financial policies and governance frameworks across a large organisation.

What you need to submit

• A CV: and
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

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