Financial Accountant
Job Title: Financial Accountant
Department: Finance
Reports to: Head of Finance
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, with an unpaid one-hour lunch break. On occasion, additional hours may be required in accordance with the needs and responsibilities of the role.
Location: On campus – East India Campus
Job Purpose
To support the effective financial management of the organisation through accurate financial reporting, account reconciliations, budgeting, forecasting and financial control, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal procedures.
The postholder will also be responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of the Student Finance Department, providing guidance and support to the team, monitoring performance and ensuring the efficient delivery of student finance operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Reporting: Assist with monthly management accounts, financial reports and variance analysis.
- Budgeting and Forecasting: Support budget preparation, monitoring, forecasting and variance analysis.
- Financial Transactions: Maintain accurate financial records and oversee invoices, payments, expenses and journals.
- Reconciliations: Complete bank, balance sheet and control account reconciliations, investigating discrepancies.
- Month-End and Year-End: Support financial close processes, including accruals, prepayments and audit schedules.
- Cash Flow Management: Assist with cash flow forecasting, monitoring and working capital management.
- Compliance and Controls: Ensure compliance with accounting standards, statutory requirements and internal financial policies.
- Audit Support: Prepare financial documentation and respond to internal and external audit queries.
- Student Finance Department Management: Line manage the Student Finance Department, overseeing day-to-day activities, allocating workloads and ensuring that tasks are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
- Stakeholder Support: Liaise with the Head of Finance, the Student Finance Department and relevant internal and external stakeholders.
- Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
- ACCA, ACA or equivalent Chartered Accountant qualification, with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience.
- Experience in financial accounting, reconciliations and management reporting.
- Experience using accounting software and financial management systems.
- Strong Microsoft Excel, analytical and numerical skills.
- Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills.
- Ability to manage competing deadlines and work collaboratively with the Head of Finance and wider team.
- Good communication and problem-solving skills.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience using QuickBooks and Access Financials.
- Experience in budgeting, forecasting and audit support.
- Experience within an education or student finance environment.
- Commitment to continuous improvement.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a wider Finance team.
