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: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous leave, and a secure pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working options and continuous professional development opportunities available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Scotland's education and economic goals.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 48249 - 56166 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 11 January 2026
Department: Finance
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Edinburgh - Hybrid
Compensation: £48,249 - £56,166 E3 Grade. Civil Service Pension. Flexible Working Hours. Hybrid Working.
Description
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. Virtual interviews will be held the week commencing 19 January 2026.
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, Knowledge and Expertise
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
- 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.
Terms and Benefits
- Normal full‑time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements.
- A flexi‑time system is in operation.
- Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro‑rata.
- Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro‑rata.
- A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in‑person contact with colleagues.
- Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite.
- Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.
- Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development.
- Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest‑free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first‑come basis.
- Although most salaried roles are advertised as full time positions (35 hours a week), we are happy to discuss part‑time or compressed hours to suit a candidate’s circumstances.
- We will consider secondment applications for most salaried fixed‑term or temporary positions and in many cases also for salaried permanent positions.
Finance Business Partner (Grade E3) employer: Scottish Funding Council
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment in Edinburgh that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a commitment to continuous learning, generous benefits including a Civil Service Pension, and a culture that values collaboration and innovation, SFC empowers its Finance Business Partners to make a meaningful impact on Scotland's education sector while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner (Grade E3)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Scottish Funding Council or in similar roles. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those virtual interviews! Research common questions for finance business partners and practice your answers. We want to show off our analytical skills and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your relationship-building skills! Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders. We need to demonstrate that we can be a trusted finance partner.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner (Grade E3)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in financial analysis and stakeholder engagement, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be preparing reports for executive and Board committees, it’s crucial to demonstrate your effective written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this ability.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your qualifications! Being a fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) is essential, so make sure we see that right at the top of your application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Funding Council
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used financial analysis in past roles. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to assess risks and support decision-making.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Strong relationships are crucial in this role. Think about how you can connect with the interviewers by discussing your experience in stakeholder engagement. Share specific instances where you've influenced senior-level decisions or collaborated effectively with various teams.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to present complex financial information to non-financial audiences. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. Consider preparing a brief presentation or example report to showcase your communication skills during the interview.
✨Stay Updated on Sector Trends
Demonstrating knowledge of the tertiary education sector in Scotland will set you apart. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the sector. Be prepared to discuss how these factors might impact financial governance and risk management.
