Financial Accountant- University of Dundee

Rutherford Cross is pleased to be given the responsibility of bringing the key financial appointment of Financial Accountant to the market for the University of Dundee. The University of Dundee is one of the UK’s leading Universities and holds social purpose at the core of what they do, building on its long-standing values. The Financial Accountant holds a key role in the production of all financial reports of the University, for both internal and external consumption. This includes management accounts, statutory financial statements, budgets and other external reporting such as TRAC and HESA returns.

Responsibilities

• Produce consolidated monthly management accounts for the University, develop reports to give valuable insights into the performance of the University
• Produce the audited financial statements of the University to the standards required by FRS, HE SORP and SFC
• Speed up routine financial reporting fully utilising the capabilities of systems
• Produce consolidated annual budgets and three year plans across the University
• Produce other routine and ad-hoc external financial reporting such as TRAC and HESA returns, ensuring that systems are fully utilised to reduce the workload of these returns
• Monitor changes to Financial Reporting Standards and HE SORPs to ensure the University’s accounts meet all external reporting requirements
• Develop the University’s capability to produce accurate forecasts of financial performance
• Support the Treasury team with developing accurate cash forecasts
• Monitor financial ratios to ensure the University remains within banking covenants
• Lead on a range of initiatives and developments appropriate to the seniority of the role
• Work with senior team members to develop and maintain a culture of continuous improvement to drive service levels, quality of internal control, promote efficiency and make the best use of resources (e.g. system capability)
• Demonstrate initiative and a pro-active mind-set in identifying improvement opportunities, investigating and resolving financial issues and challenging established ways of working
• Proactively manage team members, ensuring all HR policies and processes are used effectively. Develop and coach staff to enable the team as a whole and the individuals within it to reach their full potential
• Develop and maintain relationships at senior levels of the University to enable delivery of professional financial challenge, support and advice
• Provide cover, as required, within the Financial Accounting team, in particular for Treasury and Tax

Qualifications, Knowledge and Competencies

• Fully qualified accountant (ICAEW, ICAS, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) with at least two years’ relevant post qualification experience
• Experience of internal and external reporting within an organisation of comparable size
• Experience of developing systems to improve productivity
• High degree of systems literacy
• Capable of dealing with technical accounting issues
• Able to build effective working relationships with financial and non-financial managers across the University and outside
• Able to explain complex financial issues to a non-financial audience
• Able to work at both a detailed level and a strategic level
• Good team working skills
• Adaptable and open to change
• Knowledge of the Higher Education Sector is advantageous but open to receiving applicants from all sectors and industries

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.

Please contact Chris Sole for more information; chrissole@rutherfordcross.com or see full position profile here- https://docs.rutherfordcross.com/9ZStnE