Principal Accountant – R&D

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Principal Accountant to join our Research & Development (R&D) Finance Team. This key role will support the delivery of robust financial management across a large and complex research portfolio, working closely with clinical and non-clinical colleagues, providing financial insight, ensuring compliance, and enabling high‑quality research delivery.

• Provide comprehensive financial management support to R&D programmes, projects, and research units
• Support budget setting, monitoring, forecasting and year‑end processes for research activity
• Analyse financial performance and advise on corrective action to manage variances
• Assist in costing, pricing and financial planning for research studies and grant applications
• Ensure compliance with Trust financial regulations and external funding conditions
• Support the development of systems and processes to track research income and expenditure
• Work collaboratively with UHS, University of Southampton and external partners including funders and auditors
• Line‑manage R&D Finance Assistants, including allocation of work, development and performance management
• Provide financial guidance and training to non‑finance staff to improve financial awareness

• Finance qualification (minimum diploma level) or equivalent experience
• At least 3 years’ experience in a finance role
• Strong management accounting and budgetary control knowledge
• Experience working with financial systems and analysing data
• Excellent numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to a wide range of stakeholders
• Organisational skills, initiative and the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Experience with in NHS or public sector finance
• Knowledge of research funding and R&D finance processes
• Experience supervising or managing staff
• Understanding of Trust financial frameworks and controls

• Professional Accountancy Qualification, postgraduate diploma in finance or equivalent experience
• Current or recent experience in a finance environment
• Expert knowledge of UHS and NHS accounting procedures and policies
• Previous experience of staff management or supervisory role
• Detailed understanding of budgetary control processes
• Broad understanding of financial accounting and control issues
• Understanding of financial information systems and ability to extract relevant information
• Ability to present, analyse and receive highly complex, and at times contentious information, both financial and non‑financial, to a wide range of stakeholders, including senior managers
• Use of forecasting and estimation skills, using intelligence and operational updates from clinical division teams
• Ability to understand impact of operational performance on current and future financial performance, including long‑term strategic planning within own areas, and impact they may have on the organisation and other areas
• Ability to develop and implement complex budget monitoring and performance appraisal processes and procedures across areas under their remit, providing advice and guidance based on outputs of monitoring

• Actively studying a CCAB qualification at intermediate level or above
• Knowledge of designing advanced spreadsheets
• Experience of working within a management accounts department
• Previous experience of working with Oracle Finance systems
• Previous experience of line‑managing staff
• Experience of R&D finance and budgets

• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Presentation skills
• Data analysis
• Prioritisation
• People management

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive and contribute. We are committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible and to an inclusive, anti‑racist workplace where all feel valued.