Senior Accountant x2 posts in Bangor

The Finance Service invites applications for two permanent Senior Accountant posts in the Management Accounting Team. The post‑holders will join a senior team responsible for preparing and maintaining budgets across the University. The role involves the full management accounting service across the academic, professional and commercial services of the University, undertaking analytical review of management reports, and providing detailed cost information and financial modelling. Senior Accountants will work closely with senior management in Academic Colleges and Professional Services to ensure the best use of resources, provide detailed costing and planning information, and support all financial and budgetary queries.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain management information enabling evaluation of financial performance and support the development of business plans.
• Develop and maintain flexible and responsive management information provision to meet statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Work with the Head of Service to develop, agree and review Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), taking action to address issues as required.
• Act as an active member of the senior management team for the Academic, Professional and Commercial Services, maintaining communication links with colleagues at College and School levels.
• Provide comprehensive management information to support strategic planning and decision‑making, develop business plans and participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• Assist the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis in the preparation of 5‑Year Forecasts and statutory returns.
• Prepare, analyse and monitor budgets and financial forecasting for Academic, Professional and Commercial Services.
• Analyse and report on financial performance and advise on improvement opportunities.
• Set budgets, model and report performance against budget on a monthly/quarterly basis.
• Assist in project costing and evaluation of business plans.
• Provide advice and support on the management of the budget and the development and implementation of Service strategies and policies.
• Implement mechanisms to monitor financial activity across Services, trading areas and constituent schools/projects, providing management information for informed decisions.
• Ensure best practice in planning and financial matters within the Services, developing and refining systems and procedures as necessary.
• Support the Senior Management Team to develop and implement new strategic initiatives effectively.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• Comply with the University’s equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work, Study Policy and Welsh Language Scheme.
• Maintain a safe and healthy working environment in accordance with health and safety policies and risk assessments.
• Comply with all relevant legal and financial policies and procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
• Demonstrable experience of managing staff and leading a team.
• Experience of producing management accounts and maintaining budgets.
• Experience in a higher education environment is desirable.
• Strong customer service focus (desirable).
• The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical skills with extensive experience of providing and commenting on management accounting information for strategic use.
• Ability to summarise and interpret complex information and explain it to non‑finance staff.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills with a variety of stakeholders.
• Capability to gather information, identify future demands and opportunities, and develop long‑term plans.
• Ability to translate operational plans into specific objectives for the team.
• Ability to evaluate performance, develop improvement opportunities, and foster learning and development.
• Problem‑solving skills, considering options and assessing benefits and impacts.
• Judgement in decision‑making with limited or ambiguous data, considering multiple factors.
• Ability to present complex information clearly using appropriate styles and media.
• Planning and coordination skills to ensure performance standards and objectives are met.
• Capability to identify and resolve performance problems or conflicts within a team.
• Adaptability to modify services and systems to meet stakeholder needs and improve standards.
• Initiative in processes and procedures to resolve new problems involving others.
• Anticipation of issues, assessment of influencing factors and selection of appropriate actions.
• Proficiency in explaining complex, ambiguous data and exploring options with others.
• Ensure robust processes meet quality, legal, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to speak Welsh is desirable for these roles.
• Share relevant strategic information to support planning and adjustment of others.

Equal Opportunities

The University is committed to equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. It promotes the use of the Welsh language and complies with the Welsh Language Standards. All applications will be treated equally regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religious belief, caring responsibilities, or age. The University is a Disability Confident employer and a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter.