Deputy Head of Management Accounts - Reporting

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Management Accounts, this senior role is responsible for the strategic and operational management and development of the central Management Accounting team in delivering an efficient, effective and quality financial service to all stakeholders.

Working closely with the Head of Management Accounts and the Director/ Deputy Director of Finance the post holder will provide comprehensive, effective and efficient financial management, governance, support, challenge and direction. They will contribute as a senior manager to ensure the provision of a strategic, professional and effective solution focused finance services which is aligned to the achievement of the University’s Finance Strategy.

The role will provide high quality technical support through insightful analysis and issue resolution and continuously improve processes and procedures to support efficient and effective operations within a strong internal control environment.

The role will have responsibility for one direct report and 3 indirect reports and will also require the building of strong working relationships with business partners and senior leaders across the University.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the finance input contributing to the delivery of an effective budgeting and planning process across the University:

The role holder will work with the Vice Principal (Strategy & Resources) and the Head of Planning to agree the annual timetable and underlying assumptions to be used in preparation of the University’s three year budgets. The role holder will define the financial budgeting templates required from the College Finance teams and will provide appropriate training and guidance. The role holder will ensure that key milestones are delivered and will consolidate the budget inputs for review with the Finance Office Directorate ahead of meetings with key members of the Senior Management Group. The role holder will also take the lead in producing the financial budget papers for meetings with the Vice Principal Strategy and Resources, the Director of Finance, the Principal and Finance Committee.

2. Provide an effective, efficient and consistent financial management reporting service across the University:

The role holder will coordinate all month-end activity across the University, including timetabling, transaction processing, provision of standard reports to the College Finance teams and definition of the inputs required from the College Finance teams. The role holder will also consolidate, review and challenge the monthly results and forecasts and prepare the monthly reporting pack for review with the Finance Office Directorate, ahead of publishing to Senior Management Group. The role holder will also ensure that specific balance sheet reconciliations are performed, in liaison with the Financial Accountant. The role holder will also be expected to continually review the University’s financial reporting and identify opportunities for enhancing the information provision whilst improving the efficiency and automation of the report preparation.

3. Work Planning & Organisation:

Work with the Head of Management Finance to review all work activity within the management accounting team to identify work to stop, start, continue and to assign tasks across the team in a way that ensures the most effective task delivery and development of the team’s skill sets. Be responsible for the ongoing planning of staff activity within the team, ensuring all planning takes account of set deadlines and potentially conflicting work pressures.

4. Expert Analysis:

To provide direct support to the Director/ Deputy Director of Finance for ad hoc requests and expert analysis required to support decision making and the development of strategy.  This will include sourcing, analysing and evaluating financial information from across the University, using insight and expertise to draw conclusions and make recommendations.    Present findings and recommendations to inform and support strategic decision making at Senior Management Group, Finance Committee, Court and to external stakeholders.

5. Process efficiency and effectiveness:

The role holder will be expected to optimise the service that the management accounting team provide to the College Finance teams and remove duplication and wasted effort. They will have a clear understanding of the needs of the customer base and will work to provide an effective service level delivery. In doing so they will be expected to work closely with College Finance staff and Financial Accounting staff to ensure that management reporting and the underlying data integrity and processing is delivered in a controlled, effective and efficient manner utilising a standard corporate process.

6. Audit:

Act as a key contact in relation to internal and external audit ensuring compliance with all legislative, best practice and University corporate financial requirements and procedures.  Work closely with the central University finance function to ensure all policies and procedures are complied with and transactional support is delivered in an effective and efficient manner utilising the appropriate corporate system and process and all staff comply with the inherent financial controls.

7. Co-own the Chart of Accounts and Cost Centre structure:

The role holder will co-own the Income & Expenditure accounts code structure and the organisational cost centre structure within Agresso (with the Financial Accountant). They will ensure that the design principles are consistent with defined Finance Office policy and practice and will tackle any under-lying issues of non-compliance at source.

8. Training and awareness:

Develop and improve the capability of Finance staff across the University.   Work closely with the Heads of College Finance to develop and deliver training programmes to achieve a step change in the financial awareness and capability of academic and administrative colleagues.

9. Staff Management:

Support the Head of Management Accounts in leading, motivating and developing the Management Accounts team, ensuring behaviours and attitudes reflect University values. In doing so promote a continuous improvement approach, ensuring that the team applies appropriate professional standards and demonstrates a culture of ownership and accountability to ensure the delivery of excellent services and financial awareness and governance.

The role holder will line manage four staff members within the management accounting team and will ensure that all aspects of people management, development and review are in place across the team. They will also work with the Financial Accountant to review the University financial reporting activity and assess whether there should be any change in responsibility for the underlying tasks performed.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional leadership experience in strategically important specialist areas Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles.

A2 Membership of a recognised CCAB accounting professional body.

A3 Strong evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role.

A4 Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, budgets and forecasts.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent leadership and management skills.

C2 High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to quickly build credibility and deliver impact at all levels.

C3 Ability to create an environment of accountability for results and actions.

C4 Strategic thinker, ability to develop strategy and policy and implement effectively.

C5 Ability to drive forward and deliver change in line with strategic and operational objectives and priorities.

C6 Ability to constructively challenge the status quo, influence change and present arguments based on sound professional judgement and expertise.

C7 Proven strong commercial awareness with a clear understanding of key business drivers and the ability to quickly understand the strategic corporate agenda in order to work effectively in partnership with senior managers.

C8 Well-developed report writing and presentation skills with the ability to present and translate comprehensive and often complex information and financial concepts for non-financial and senior colleagues.

C9 Outstanding and proven analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make well-considered decisions, resolve conflicts and demonstrate sound, professional judgement.

C10 A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight timescales with an aptitude for prioritising and managing competing demands.

C11 Advanced skills in the use of industry standard and specialist financial and accounting software packages including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Extensive post-qualification project accounting experience preferably within Higher Education sector.

E2 Demonstrable experience of working with and influencing across all levels of an organisation including senior management operating in a political or highly complex environment – providing direction, delivering results, building on relationships and capability and demonstrating personal resilience.

E3 Extensive experience of building robust business cases with non-financial professionals and presenting these at board level.

E4 Proven experience of working as a key member of a multidisciplinary team, providing financial leadership, support and challenge.

E5 Proven experience of successfully contributing to continuous financial process improvement and change with demonstrable operational and financial efficiencies delivered.

E6 Experience of developing innovative solutions and practical implementations for strategic change.

E7 Proven project management experience, providing leadership, innovative thinking and delivery against set objectives and timelines.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 9, £57,696 - £64,914 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months or until the substantive postholder returns.

Please Note: The University would consider a secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.