Head of Management Accounting

Head of Management Accounting - Higher Education sector

CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualified accountant

Client Details

I am pleased to be exclusively partnering with one of the fastest growing Higher Education organisations in East Kent. As leader of the Management Accounting Team, the Head of Management Accounting will be responsible for the provision of professional and effective Management Accounting services for the University.

Description

You will be responsible for 1 x Assistant Head of Management Accounting, 2 x Senior Management Accountants, 1 x Management Accountant - Reporting & Systems

To lead and oversee the provision of the University's management accounting services to SMT, Heads of School, department heads, budget holders and other external parties

To take a lead role in overseeing the budget setting and in year reforecast process for the University, including the preparation of papers for submission to SMT and Committees. This includes a transparent approach to budget allocations which takes into consideration activity and quality measures, the development of forecasts reflecting academic plans alongside professional services and corporate infrastructure requirements and an integrated approach to course planning and validations.

To produce monthly management accounts showing performance against budget and review these on a formal basis with SMT members, investigating and interpreting variances against budget. This includes taking personal responsibility for the role of link Management Accountant for the provision of services to the Deputy Vice Chancellor and other key areas to be determined

To take a lead role working with the Director of Finance to oversee the financial and budget implications of the transformational change programme

To take a lead role in understanding and interpretation of tuition fee income (including new and existing partnership developments), DfE, NHSE, OfS and UKRI funding streams, including recognition within the University management reports and their impact on budgets and forecasts.

To work with the Planning & Business Intelligence Team & the HR Team to ensure student number planning and people data is fully integrated into financial budgets and forecasts.

To take a lead role in the development of systems and processes to enable the improvement of institutional and management accounts reporting. This includes report presentation to enhance user experience and to alignment with non financial data.

To oversee the management of the University's capital investment programme including project appraisal, monitoring, reporting and post investment appraisal. This includes overseeing the preparation of budgets and forecasts for capital investment

To lead the Management Accounts Team and to support the Director of Finance and Department Management Team in fostering a culture that is proactive, flexible and responsive to customer needs.

Profile

Recognised CCAB Professional Accounting qualification.

Degree or equivalent

Significant experience in management accounting within a medium to large organisation

Relevant experience in a Higher or Further Education environment or other large public sector body and knowledge of Higher Education funding methodologies

Advanced user of Agresso BW and reporting tools including excelerator, browser, use of balance tables and data warehouses

Knowledge of Financial Reporting Standards

Advanced IT skills, including excel

Excellent Interpersonal skills

Demonstrable staff management and leadership skills

Job Offer

• 28 days annual leave (+ Bank holidays)
• 17.5% Pension contribution
• Flexible hybrid work policy (2 days in the office, 3 days at home)
• Salary of £57,000 to £60,000
• Career progression
• Managing a team of 4 members of staff