Financial Reporting Manager

Financial Reporting Manager - Higher Education

Cedar is currently supporting a higher education institution based in the South East with the recruitment of a Financial Reporting Manager to join their organisation on a permanent basis in a newly created post.

Role Summary:
The Financial Reporting Manager will lead and manage financial accounting activities for the organisation, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, robust financial reporting, and efficient oversight of finance personnel. This role involves coordinating year-end financial processes, overseeing cash management, managing VAT and tax returns, and supporting long-term financial planning and investments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Statements & Compliance: Assist with the preparation of annual financial statements for the organisation and its subsidiaries, ensuring compliance with FE/HE SORP and Office for Students' requirements.
• Tax & VAT: Prepare quarterly VAT returns and annual corporation tax returns.
• Cash Flow & Investments: Monitor cash flow, prepare cash flow statements, and manage short-term investments in line with the organisation's treasury management policy.
• Team Leadership: Line-manage and develop the Finance Officer and Banking Administrator, conducting appraisals and leading team meetings.
• External Liaison: Work closely with external auditors, tax advisors, and HMRC as required.
• Financial Systems Development: Contribute to the development of the organisation's financial systems, including report generation and systems enhancement.
• Ledger & Balance Sheet Integrity: Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial ledgers for monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting.
• Asset & Liability Management: Oversee the recording of the organisation's assets and liabilities, including control account reconciliations.
• Expert Financial Advice: Provide expertise in financial accounting, VAT, and tax matters.
• Capital Projects Oversight: Manage financial administration for capital projects, monitoring expenditures against budget.
• Financial Forecasting: Support with financial forecasting, specifically regarding the organisation's asset and liability structure.
• Financial Controls: Ensure financial regulations, controls, and systems are robust and meet internal and external reporting obligations.

Qualifications:

• Essential: Qualified accountant with extensive experience in year-end financial statement preparation, liaising with external auditors, and up-to-date knowledge of accounting standards and VAT legislation.
• Desirable: Experience with accounting systems, knowledge of SQL/Python, and an understanding of VAT issues within the non-profit sector.

• Higher Education & Non-Profit Insight: Familiarity with the ethos and operational nuances of higher education or non-profit organisations.