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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial insight and support for Scotland’s colleges and universities.
- Company: Join the Scottish Funding Council, a key player in education finance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to influence education funding.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the financial health of Scotland's educational institutions.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Governance, Infrastructure and Sustainability team (GIST) Line Manager Assistant Director, Institutional Financial Health and Governance
Purpose
Provide financial insight and support for Scotland’s colleges and universities. Act as a trusted finance partner within the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), offering expert advice and constructive challenge to institutions, SFC colleagues, and the Scottish Government. Monitor and report on the financial health and governance of colleges and universities to help deliver Scotland’s education and economic goals.
Key responsibilities
- Provide high-quality financial analysis and insight to assess the risks to the financial health (viability and long-term financial sustainability) of colleges and universities, to support decision-making, robust financial planning and investment appraisals.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with colleges and universities and other stakeholders through a finance business partnering approach.
- Provide advice on financial governance and risk management, and on compliance with the SFC Financial Memorandum (FM), Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) and other relevant governance and financial frameworks.
- Prepare and present clear, concise internal and external financial advice, to institutions and to the Scottish Government, on specific matters within the remit of the role.
- Review and provide feedback on the financial strategies of colleges and universities to ensure that they are credible, deliver value for money and contribute to national outcomes.
- Review and consider colleges’ and universities’ requests for approvals under the SFC Financial Memorandum (FM), Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM).
- Represent SFC in discussions with external bodies, including Audit Scotland, UK funding bodies, and government departments.
- Ensure continuous professional development including maintaining up-to-date knowledge of technical accounting standards, public sector finance developments, and governance codes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement across the SFC, including taking the lead on developmental areas such as engaging with Universities’ Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) data.
Skills, qualifications and experience
Essential
- Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with relevant post-qualification experience.
- Good understanding of financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting, audit and financial and non-financial organisational controls.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships; experienced in stakeholder engagement and influencing at senior levels.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial issues to non-financial audiences.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with experience of preparing high-quality reports for executive and Board committees.
- Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and advanced Excel skills.
Desirable
- Experience in finance business partnering.
- Knowledge and understanding of tertiary education sector in Scotland.
- Relevant understanding of public sector budgeting, accounting, and governance frameworks.
Finance Business Partner employer: Scottish Funding Council
Contact Detail:
Scottish Funding Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and education sectors. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to chat with folks who might know about opportunities at the Scottish Funding Council or similar organisations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you can provide insights into the financial health of colleges and universities. We want to see you shine when it comes to problem-solving and communicating complex issues!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your stakeholder engagement experience! Think of examples where you've built strong relationships and influenced decisions. This is key for a Finance Business Partner role, so make sure to highlight these in conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial analysis and governance. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Finance Business Partner, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be preparing reports for executive and Board committees, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex financial issues clearly. Use examples in your application that reflect your effective written communication skills.
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement Experience: Building strong relationships is key in this role. Share specific instances where you've successfully engaged with stakeholders or influenced decision-making at senior levels. This will show us you’re ready to be a trusted finance partner.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Funding Council
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial analysis skills. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've assessed financial health in previous roles. This will show that you can provide the high-quality financial insight they’re looking for.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others, especially in a finance business partnering context.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to present financial advice to non-financial audiences, so being able to communicate clearly and concisely is key. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points.
✨Stay Updated
Show that you’re committed to continuous professional development by being aware of the latest trends in public sector finance and governance. Mention any recent training or courses you've taken that relate to the role, as this demonstrates your proactive approach to learning.