Vacancies

Business Accountant

Business Accountant
University of Derby

Country flag
Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Classification symbol Accounting
Skilled Worker
Salary
50129 - 72061 GBP /YEAR
Job posted on January 31, 2025
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Job Description:
Job details Responsible to Head of Financial Performance Management Location Kedleston Road, Derby Campus Closing date Thursday 13 February 2025 Salary £50,129 to £62,662 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £72,061 per annum) Job grade Leadership – E Reference 0512-24 Contract type Permanent Post type Full-time Adaptive working type Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework. About the University We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills. About the College/Department The Finance Department act as business partners, working collaboratively to provide an exceptional service to stakeholders within Colleges and Professional Services departments, in support of the University’s strategic objectives. We produce, analyse and disseminate financial and business information and provide advice to support and improve the financial performance of the University. The team oversee and influence the smooth operation of all financial transactions within the University and are responsible for the production of annual statutory accounts. About the role This is a pivotal role to the financial management of University activity. Reporting into the Head of Financial Performance Management you will be responsible for providing management information for the financial planning and monitoring of diverse activities within Colleges/Departments. For specified areas you will lead the monthly Management Accounting cycle, Budget preparation and Forecast submissions, providing analysis and commentary to enhance the decision making of budget holders and a range of University managers, looking to drive sustainable financial performance. The role will require the provision of high level financial and business information, direction and advice to a range of internal customers, the ability to identify and manage risk, and to ensure the financial integrity of business operations. The post holder who will manage a small team will also work closely with designated College/Professional Service Departments to deliver the above. Interview Date - 24th February 2025 About You The University is looking to appoint a qualified Accountant to join the Business Accounting Support team. The role will require a pro-active approach to work, and demonstrable interpersonal skills to enable the post holder to build strong and effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels, including senior managers. Experience of Higher Education Experience and/or Further Education Funding and Accounting, including Research, Innovation and Commercial funding, costing and reporting, is highly desirable. Principal accountabilities
  • To be an integral member of the College/Department SLT/SMT, fully contributing to the development and implementation of College/Department strategic plans, and to the monitoring and control of business performance.

  • To understand & interpret financial & business intelligence and financial & business Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) to inform and influence business decision-making. Then prepare and present College/Departmental Financial Performance Reports / Key Indicators as required.

  • To be an integral member of the Finance Team and contribute to the development and implementation of the University financial strategy.

  • To work proactively with all senior managers including Pro Vice-Chancellors, PVC Deans, Deans, Directors and SMTs to contribute to the University’s corporate objectives.

  • To lead the preparation of the annual budget and periodic forecasts, for consideration, agreement and submission by PVC Deans, Dean or Director, ensuring an integration of business plans with financial budgets and forecasts.

  • To interpret Financial Guidelines and advise PVC Deans, Deans, Directors and SMT of their impact on the business area.

  • To establish and maintain a business ethos within the College/Department, challenging and negotiating with relevant budget managers to ensure delivery of a budget submission in line with university sustainability, and a forecast submission in line with budget.

  • To take a proactive role in the identification of financial & business risks and in the identification and recommendation of options to mitigate any adverse effects of income shortfalls or cost overruns.

  • To produce, analyse and interpret management accounts to inform and influence business decisions, meeting with PVC Deans, Deans, Directors, SMT members & budget holders to provide financial and business advice and direction.

  • To prepare reports on financial and business performance, detailing key results, analysis and explanations of major variances.

  • To extrapolate the impact of underlying drivers and advise on future actions to ensure budget achievement.

  • To provide a professional point of contact for all managers on matters relating to financial policies and practices, offering advice guidance, support and information as required.

  • To authorise all staff recruitment forms, evaluating the business case for any new posts and ensuring that all recruitment is consistent with College/Department strategy & financial plans.

  • To inform and influence the business direction of the College/Department, working with SMTs to develop strategies for improvements in returns at an acceptable level of risk.

  • To establish and maintain a business planning approach for all activities and projects within the College/Department.

  • To evaluate the financial impact of alternative scenarios for Business Development in order to maximise use of resources and financial returns.

  • To prepare, analyse and interpret profitability of different business segments/income streams.

  • To evaluate and authorise business development proposals, ensuring benefits are clearly identified and that proposals are financially and commercially robust. This will include the utilisation of financial investment appraisal techniques together with the provision of costing and pricing advice and support.

  • To undertake post investment appraisal, evaluating and reporting on benefits realised (both financial and business) and ensuring such benefits are fully reflected in future financial plans.

  • To provide financial and commercial analysis, advice and support on contract negotiations (including pricing) and contract management.

  • To play a key role in enhancing the levels of financial knowledge and financial management skills throughout the organisation.

  • To maintain personal & professional development.

  • To ensure all duties are carried out in a manner consistent with University Core Values and with due regard to Health & Safety and Equality & Diversity legislation.

  • To undertake any other duties or projects, consistent with the role and level of the post, as may be required from time to time.

Person specification Essential Criteria Qualifications
  • Hold a recognised CCAB or CIMA accounting qualification

Experience
  • Significant experience in a financial environment across a breadth of financial disciplines
  • Experience in the preparation of financial plans and management accounts, together with the provision of financial and business advice to management
  • A good understanding of specialist financial techniques, including project investment appraisal, costing and risk analysis
  • A good understanding of the key financial and business processes in an organisation
  • In depth experience of working with financial and business systems
  • Proven experience of delivering high quality outputs to tight deadlines

Skills, knowledge & abilities
  • Strong inter-personal skills, with the key ability to establish highly effective cross-functional working relationships at all levels in an organisation
  • Strong communications skills, both written and verbal, and, in particular, the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial managers
  • Strong analytical skills with the key ability to interpret data and provide meaningful management information and advice
  • Good influencing and negotiating skills, and, in particular, the ability to influence the development of a financial and business ethos within the organisation, whilst appreciating its academic mission
  • Advanced, hands-on, IT skills, to include all Microsoft Office applications, with particular proficiency in Excel and Teams
  • Ability to consistently achieve deadlines and timetables to a high-quality standard
  • Ability to work within and beyond the immediate team, adopt a quality service ethos, and contribute collegiately to the achievement of team goals
  • Ability to summarise key points and drivers on subject matters in a manner that is easily understood
  • Ability to ensure the provision of a high-quality accounting service with quality and timely accounting information, advice, and direction
  • Ability to identify improvements in systems and processes to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the University

Business requirements
  • Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between the University and external sites in a cost-effective and timely manner as relevant to support staff, attend events, meetings, or for presence
  • Able to recognise the need and be willing to work outside of normal hours at times as relevant to achieving service delivery, targets, and deadlines, including evenings and weekends when occasion demands
  • Flexibility to undertake work across the broader Business Accounting team, in line with knowledge experience

Desirable Criteria Qualifications
  • A degree or equivalent qualification

Experience
  • Experience of Higher Education Experience and/or Further Education Funding and Accounting, including Research, Innovation and Commercial funding, costing and reporting
  • A proven track record of influencing business decisions and of delivering solutions to financial and business problems

Skills, knowledge, and abilities
  • Use of Oracle Cloud Finance systems
  • Use of Worktribe research system

Benefits
  • Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
  • Discounted onsite gym
  • Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
  • Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
  • Holiday purchase
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • A flexible working environment
  • A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits Key contact For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Estelle Long, Head of Financial Performance Management via e.long@derby.ac.uk For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk. Important information Visa Sponsorship Eligibility This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum). If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:
  • Your job is on the Immigration Salary List
  • You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
  • You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
  • The role you are applying for is a postdoctoral position

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered. For more information, visit Applying from Overseas.
Equity, diversity and inclusion The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation. We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes. Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training. When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system. The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population. For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.
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