Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance, the Interim Head of Financial Accounting is responsible for the Financial Accounting team. The role includes responsibility for a number of key finance activities, such as Financial Accounting and Taxation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide management oversight and leadership of the Financial Accounting team
• Provide leadership for colleagues. Ensure all aspects of people management, development and reviews are in place across the team. Keep the team’s structure and skillset under review, ensuring these are appropriate and delivering efficient, effective and consistent working practices and outputs
• Set strategies and monitor systems to ensure complete financial integrity of general ledger
• Ensure all financial reporting is formulated in line with up-to-date financial accounting standards, tax and VAT requirement, internal policies and relevant legislation. Ensure a system is in place to monitor compliance
• Put in place a system that allows timely identification of future accounting standards changes, assess the impact and formulate plans to ensure compliance
• Support integrated cash flow forecasting process in order to maintain and manage the University's long term cash flow forecasts
• Ensure the implementation of effective balance sheet reconciliation processes and system improvements
• Lead the production of the year-end Group statutory accounts and Subsidiary accounts and financial statements
• Manage global tax strategy and oversee production of all direct and indirect tax returns for the Group’s UK legal entities
• Provide technical advice and papers for financial transactions as required
• Act as the key point of contact with external auditors, monitor queries, ensure timely resolutions of issues and escalate as required
• Liase with external professional advisors as required and attend external meetings with Senior University colleagues e.g., University Bankers, auditors, tax advisors
• Lead on the development and documentation of a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for financial accounting in line with an agreed standard framework
• Deliver changes to and embed processes that support the new ERP system
• Frequent interaction with colleagues at all levels, including: Global Financial Director, Financial Controller, University Senior Leadership Team, Finance staff

Education, Qualifications and Experience:

These are the criteria on which the candidate shortlisting and recruitment selection will be made.

• Nationally recognised accountancy qualification, e.g., CA, ACA, CPFA, CIMA, ACC
• Qualified to degree standard
• Considerable post-qualification financial and management accounting experience within a large, complex organisation
• Managed teams with responsibility for financial accounting within a complex environment, as well as having participated in such activities personally
• Proven experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team, which could be characterised by the University as including both professional services and academic colleagues
• Extensive experience working with and influencing senior management across the breadth of an institution / organisation
• Outstanding and proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make well-considered decisions, resolve conflicts and demonstrate sound, professional judgement
• Demonstrable experience managing change
• Demonstrable ability to work within a fast-changing environment
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Good track record of developing and maintaining positive working relationships

To ensure you are considered for this role please apply ASAP with your CV and contact details, our experienced consultant will ring you for a confidential discussion.