Birmingham City University Hiring for Senior Finance Officer Job at Birmingham, England Full Time

Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study right in the heart of the city and we currently have an exciting opportunity for an Senior finance officer to join our dynamic team.

The role provides efficient and effective Project accounting for the University, developing robust project monitoring systems to improve quality and meet evolving needs. This role is involved in ensuring that all statutory accounting and reporting requirements are met for Birmingham City University and its subsidiary undertakings.

Provide financial and accountancy assistance. Ensure that departmental finances and specific projects and partnerships are monitored, controlled and delivered to contract by organising and operating financial control systems across the Department. Carry out data analysis and produce management information and statistics as required.

• Monitor department activities and achievements against externally funded expenditure and income. This may include overseas activities.

• Operate and maintain systems to monitor budgets, income and expenditure in line with University requirements, taking steps to reduce bureaucracy where possible.

• Review and check budget forecasts. Ensure financial forecasts are accurate and up to date.

• Prepare budget reports and information. Monitor expenditure against budgets and work with budget holders providing advice and guidance as necessary to ensure budgets are well managed.

• Investigate variances and report on problem areas.

• Alert budget holders and senior management colleagues to changes in financial forecasts for projects or other delegated budgets

• Undertake return on investment analysis and produce reports on cost effectiveness.

• Ensure journals and recharges are processed correctly.

• Maintain local fixed asset registers and ensure Faculty / departmental additions and disposals are kept up to date on the corporate register.

• Review procurement related reports, analyse and take the appropriate action to resolve any issues identified.

• Maintain any intranet based financial reports as required.

• Liaise with external Education Partners and BCU colleagues to raise invoices for income due on a timely basis

• Prepare and submit of accurate and timely payroll data concerning Visiting Tutor (VT) hours, overtime etc.

Understand the University’s financial regulations and ensure they are adhered to.

Managing People and Resources

May supervise support staff

Provides comprehensive finance and accountancy support to a department or large team ensuring sound management of budgets and compliance with University financial regulations.

Communication

Communicate detailed financial information (sometimes complex) to a wide variety of audiences including non-finance specialists and senior management colleagues.

Interact with students, colleagues and others across the University and externally.

Respond to a wide range of queries including student matters. Provide reliable advice and resolution where possible. Accurately identify queries that require referral to other colleagues or different areas and signpost appropriately.

Teamwork and collaborative working

It is expected that Senior Finance Officers will have a keen customer focus and work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure that a responsive and effective finance service is provided across the University. This may involve a degree of flexibility to work across different areas, teams and projects to support colleagues at times of peak demand or to help cover holidays and other absence.

Initiative, problem solving and decision making

Utilise accountancy skills, knowledge of financial procedures and understanding of the University’s financial regulations to advise, provide relevant information and ensure appropriate financial and budgetary controls.

Contribute to University policy and practice relating to accounting and financial management through providing advice and information and contributing to relevant working groups or consultations.

Work environment

Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on own work and that of others.

Person specification

• Part-qualified accountant (working towards a professional accountancy qualification recognised by the CCAB – Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies)

• Previous relevant experience of working in a finance role

  (Or able to demonstrate a combination of qualifications, skills and relevant experience at an equivalent level)

• Demonstrable experience of providing comprehensive accountancy and finance support services

• Previous experience of the higher education with knowledge of costing and resource allocation models in the sector would be advantageous.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and straightforwardly.

• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and business and finance information systems. Competence in the use of Excel to support the development of accurate and useful management information.

• Exceptional organisational skills and a proven ability to work under pressure whilst ensuring accuracy, quality and attention to detail at all times.

  
  Able to demonstrate:

• Detailed understanding of financial management procedures

• Ability to influence and work confidently at senior management level.

• A solution focused approach with the ability to work flexibly to meet changing organisational needs.

• A self-managing work style and in particular the ability to work independently, without supervision or close guidance from a financial specialist.

• Ability to identify and implement changes to processes and practices and achieve improvements in quality and efficiency.

• An ability to organise and present information logically and accurately.

Birmingham City University has the drive and ambition to be a leading seat of teaching and research excellence. We are passionate about providing our learners with a transformational journey, enabled by an exceptional and supportive academic community.

With around 26,900 students from 100 countries, Birmingham City University is a large and diverse learning community. We put students at the heart of everything we do, giving them the best opportunities for future success. The University has an enviable reputation for providing quality, student-focused education in a professional and friendly environment. Our superb courses, state-of-the-art facilities, first-rate academics, and focus on practical skills and professional relevance all support our graduates’ future employability.

We’re investing £340 million in our estate, including a major expansion of our City Centre Campus at Eastside, providing students with an enviable range of facilities

Our staff and student community is defined by our core values, which outline who we are as a University and how we will work with each other. Our core values are Excellence, People focused, Partnership working and Fairness and integrity.