Financial Accountant; Joint Ventures

The Role

We’re looking for a talented and driven accountant to join our Joint Venture (JV) team within Group Reporting. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on high-profile partnerships with Newcastle University and Manchester Metropolitan University, supporting the financial reporting and accounting of two exciting new joint ventures.

In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering accurate and timely financial reporting across complex group structures, while working closely with stakeholders across the business in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of technical accounting activities, from month-end reporting and statutory accounts preparation to acquisitions, refinancing, and business‑critical projects.

We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical expertise with a proactive, solutions‑focused mindset. If you enjoy improving processes, partnering with the business, and delivering high‑quality financial insight that supports decision‑making, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

• Take ownership of the accounting and reporting for two new joint ventures with Newcastle University and Manchester Metropolitan University, including monthly reporting, management accounts, journals, balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis, and financial statement preparation
• Manage group recharges for both JVs, including invoicing and cost settlements
• Partner with Fund and Investment Finance teams to ensure accurate and insightful financial reporting
• Support technical accounting projects, including property acquisitions and disposals, refinancing activity, and equity transactions
• Assist with the system setup and onboarding of any new joint ventures managed by Unite Students
• Produce ad‑hoc financial analysis and reports for stakeholders and budget holders
• Ensure month‑end close activities are completed accurately and on time, maintaining strong financial controls
• Complete monthly VAT reconciliations, ensuring VAT returns reconcile to the general ledger
• Support the wider JV and Group Reporting teams with key month‑end and year‑end deliverables as required

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with at least 2 years post‑qualified experience
• Strong financial reporting experience within a fast‑paced corporate environment
• Good understanding of joint ventures and complex group structures
• Advanced Excel and strong systems skills, including Pivot Tables and Lookups
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and process enhancement
• Proactive and self‑motivated, with excellent organisational and time management skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the business
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively

• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company’s success
• 25 days paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
• A generous pension scheme – employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non‑birthing parents
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual Share Save scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK’s leading provider of purpose‑built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn’t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students.…