Financial Accountant

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 (£37,694 - £47,389)

FTE and working pattern: Flexible Working 35 hours per week, Open ended

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full‐time staff.

Organisation Name: Finance Department

About our School/Directorate and Team

The Finance team is one of the University’s key Professional Services which supports the University’s delivery of its mission, strategic priorities and business objectives. On a day‐to‐day basis, it does this by delivering a range of financial services, including:

• Routine financial transactional processing in treasury, accounts payable and accounts receivable
• Effective management of the University’s financial resources
• Sound management accounting, including ensuring the availability of accurate and timely financial management reporting
• Effective operation of the Oracle financial system
• Effective and timely delivery of statutory financial reporting

In addition, the Finance department also supports the delivery of the University’s strategic plan through effective financial planning, including capital investment planning, project appraisal and identification of sustainable funding streams.

The Financial Accounting team is a key member of the Finance Department and is responsible for preparing the University’s Statutory Accounts, including those of its subsidiary companies. The team also manages external financial reporting requirements, covering audit, taxation, compliance, and sector‐specific analysis. In addition, the team ensures that both statutory and internal financial control frameworks are consistently applied to all financial transactions across the institution.

Purpose of Role

The role supports a range of accounting activities within the Financial Accounting team, applying technical knowledge and analytical skills to deliver high‐quality financial outputs. Responsibilities include assisting with the preparation of financial statements, supporting compliance and audit processes, and contributing to the maintenance of robust financial controls. The post holder will also provide technical support and guidance to internal colleagues and, where appropriate, liaise with external stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities

To assist with the accounting tasks within the Financial Accounting team, such as those listed below, but not confined to these specific tasks:

• Assist in the preparation of Financial Statements and accompanying Notes to the Accounts for all University entities
• Support the delivery of external audit requirements by responding to assigned audit requests within agreed deadlines and contributing to audit discussions both verbally and in writing
• Process intercompany transactions using the designated template in line with monthly deadlines
• Complete assigned Balance Sheet reconciliations in accordance with the monthly, quarterly, bi‐annual, and year‐end reporting timetable
• Prepare and post journals as required to support accurate financial reporting
• Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure they accurately reflect current processes within the Financial Accounting team

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Part‐qualified in a recognised professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, ICAS), or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in a similar financial or higher education environment.
• Proficiency in relevant IT systems and financial software packages.
• Proven technical accounting expertise and practical experience.
• Strong understanding of governance frameworks and the ability to translate them into effective practice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering high‐quality customer service.
• Ability to work efficiently, flexibly, and accurately in a fast‐paced and evolving environment.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders at all levels across an organisation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to research and interpret complex information with attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and perform effectively under pressure.
• A professional, proactive, and solution‐focused approach to work.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Desirable

• Degree in Accounting or equivalent qualification.
• Experience using Oracle Fusion or a similar enterprise‐level accounting system.
• Previous experience working within the Higher Education sector.

Initiative and Problem Solving

• Provide advice and guidance on complex and non‐standard queries, using personal knowledge and experience.
• Use initiative to resolve non‐standard problems using experience and reasoning to reach an effective conclusion.
• Generate original ideas and innovative solutions through the provision of specialist know‐how and advice as appropriate.
• Gather and analyse requirements for systems to identify optimum solutions.
• Prepare and deliver training and briefing sessions to provide tools, techniques and support to relevant customers and stakeholders.

Competencies, Tasks and Responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities listed under the following competency headings form part of all administrative roles at this level and it is expected that the role‐holder will perform them to at least an effective standard at all times.

Teamwork

• Work collaboratively and effectively within your team, department, and other university colleagues, sharing expertise and contributing to the delivery of the University’s strategic plan.
• Participate in working groups within the university and externally if required, sharing ideas, experience and providing technical advice.
• Contribute to and provide support and encouragement across the team and wider university colleagues.
• Build cooperation and set example by demonstrating a flexible approach.
• Cover for team members, including deputising for senior members as appropriate.

Management Responsibilities

There will be no management responsibilities within this position.

Planning and Organising

• Plan, prioritise and organise your own work or resources to ensure the timely delivery of agreed service objectives in line with customer needs.
• Plan, organise, co‐ordinate and facilitate meetings, workshops and larger events ensuring effective use of resources and budget.
• Monitor project status and take remedial action where necessary to ensure that projects are delivered on time.

Service Excellence

• Provide timely and appropriate guidance on policy, procedure, legislation and local processes and contribute to policy/procedure development.
• Provide technical advice within your area of knowledge and expertise.
• Create a positive image of the University by being responsive, prompt and courteous when responding to requests or enquiries from customers.
• Proactively seek to understand and react to the needs and requirements of the customer.
• Work with colleagues within the department to contribute to the continued review and improvement of the service.
• Produce timely reports for management as requested.
• Liaise with internal and external teams to ensure an effective service.

Decision Making

• Provide timely and accurate advice to customers and stakeholders based on your technical knowledge.
• Assess the risks of various options and work with the relevant customer/stakeholder to achieve the optimum outcome.
• Provide technical advice to enable development of strategy, direction and vision.

Citizenship

• Demonstrate the University Values at all times through performance and behaviour.
• Participate in ad‐hoc duties to support the team/University and for personal development.
• Support newer or inexperienced colleagues within and outside the University by offering support, help and advice.
• Positively promote the University internally and externally through positive behaviour and supporting University‐wide activities.

This job description is intended as a flexible framework which outlines the key general areas of activity in your position. Other activities may be required which are not outlined above but which are appropriate to the position and grade. Your personal objectives (Forward Job Plan) will also set out specific tasks and objectives for you to achieve, including objectives to help your career development.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Tuesday 14th April 2026. Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot‐Watt online recruitment. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g., part‐time working and job share options.

Heriot‐Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot‐Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under‐represented groups.

About Heriot‐Watt University

At Heriot‐Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real‐world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well‐being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.