Business Accountant

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/DepartmentThe Finance and Procurement teams plays a crucial role in enabling the University to deliver on its strategic aims. This involves managing and maximising the University’s financial resources while providing expert financial advice and support to the wider University community. Our responsibilities encompass a wide range of essential functions, including providing strategic business partnering, delivering value from supplier relationships, managing effective working capital and cashflow and providing key financial support for our students. Additionally, we oversee all aspects of payroll and pensions management, and deliver comprehensive support for financial systems, tax compliance, and audit needs. Through these activities, we provide assurance to the University community around the financial health and efficiency of the University, supporting its mission and operations.
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 RoleThis 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.
About YouThe 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.
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
• Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key ContactFor 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 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 Skills 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
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

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 our website.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.