Senior Financial Accountant

Job Purpose

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the University’s fixed asset module and balance sheet, for leading the preparation of accurate, timely and compliant financial statements and additional external reporting requirements and for ensuring adherence to all Higher Education specific financial reporting requirements.

This role acts as a primary point of contact for external auditors throughout the year, acts as a technical expert for stakeholders across Finance and the wider business on all financial accounting matters and drives continuous improvement in financial reporting systems, processes and controls.

• Manage the full lifecycle of assets in the fixed asset module: capitalisation, depreciation, disposals, transfers and impairment.
• Prepare and post journal entries for capital transactions during month‑end and year‑end close and complete monthly reconciliations between the general ledger and fixed asset module, ensuring that reconciling items are followed up and brought to resolution.
• Maintain an accurate fixed asset register and ensure compliance with GAAP and internal policies.
• Maintain documentation for all capital transactions for compliance purposes.
• Facilitate external audit with schedules and documentation.
• Plan and manage physical verification exercises.
• Evaluate existing processes and controls for capital accounting and identify, implement and evaluate improvements to improve efficiency and instil a best practice control environment.

• Develop and maintain risk‑based review procedures and checklists for central balance sheet reconciliation reviews.
• Perform regular central reviews of balance sheet reconciliations across all functions to verify that reconciliations are accurate, complete and prepared in accordance with University policies and accounting standards.
• Assess adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls related to reconciliation processes.
• Investigate discrepancies/root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare detailed reports setting out findings from the central reviews of balance sheet reconciliations highlighting key metrics, findings, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Provide training and guidance to finance staff on best practices for reconciliations.

• Lead on the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements for the University, ensuring accuracy, completeness and compliance with UK GAAP and US GAAP as applicable.
• Ensure all reporting complies within internal accounting policies, external regulations, and evolving financial reporting standards.

• Lead on the University’s year‑end close and external audit process from planning through to completion, acting as the primary day‑to‑day contact for external auditors.
• Manage the preparation of audit documentation across Finance, ensuring timely responses to audit queries and resolution of issues.
• Prepare papers relating to year end and other financial accounting matters for submission to Audit & Risk Committee, Finance Committee and Court meetings.

• Prepare authoritative guidance on new accounting standards and in the assessment of impact.
• Lead on the assessment and implementation of complex accounting treatments for restructurings, financing arrangements and other strategic transactions.
• Prepare technical accounting papers for internal governance and external audit reviews.

• Involvement as required on financial reporting system initiatives, including contribution to the implementation of the new Finance system (Project Sierra).

• Essential: A1 CA/ACA/ACCA qualified with post qualifying experience commensurate to this level of role within a financial reporting function.
• Essential: A2 Ordinary/Honours Degree (SCQF Level 9, 10 or 11) or equivalent.
• Essential: A3 Strong up to date knowledge of the technical accounting environment in the UK.
• Essential: A4 Strong technical accounting knowledge.

• Essential: …