Senior Financial Analyst

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Deputy Head of Finance for University Services, play a leading role in the provision of comprehensive, effective, and efficient management accounting support and direction to University Services and the Finance Division. Ensure the provision of professional, effective and solutions focused finance services aligned to the achievement of the University's Strategy. Provide high quality technical support through insightful analysis and issue resolution and continuously improve processes and procedures to support efficient and effective operations within a strong internal control environment. Support and develop enhanced liaison between the finance team and the wider University Services teams ensuring accurate, timely, relevant, and reliable information allowing delivery of a customer service focus.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial Forecasts, Budgetary Control and Reporting
   
   - Accountable for accuracy and quality of monthly University Services Directorates management reports through a robust review process, identifying and making required adjustments to Income, salaries, consumables, and any research, and commercial activity. Prepare accurate forecast data ensuring that the process is continually improved both in terms of data quality and analytical insight.
   
   - Integral in the team preparing the month-end reporting process, including preparation of monthly consolidated management accounts, reporting packs, financial performance indicators and commentaries ensuring there is a "no surprises" culture and information is accurate and produced in a timely manner. The role holder will also review and challenge the monthly results and forecasts ahead of publishing and presenting to the Chief Operating Officer.
   
   - Provide strong management accounting support and challenge to Directorates and their teams. Attending relevant meetings, where appropriate and present and shape financial performance. Work with budget holders within University Services to provide effective financial reporting and review and take corrective action on budget variances.
   
   - Take responsibility for areas of the financial budgeting and planning process, including liaising with senior management, consolidation of financial information, production of commentary and reporting packs and ensuring that proposed budgets have been evaluated and challenged.
   
   - Be responsible for the financial integrity of financial data within the Agresso accounting system, ensuring all appropriate financial reconciliations are carried out with variances investigated and corrective action taken.
   
   
2. Strategic financial management and business development
   
   - Play a lead role in the development and review of options appraisals and business plans/business cases, providing robust financial challenge and ensuring that all business cases progressed withstand scrutiny and contain measurable delivery criteria.
   
   - Act as the Key Finance Business Partner for all strategic spend, supporting the implementation of the strategy, analysing spend and reporting on progress to Investment Committee.
   
   - Robust analytical review of directorates spend with recommendations on minimising cost and maximising financial return.
   
   
3. Process Efficiency and Effectiveness
   
   - The role holder will be expected to play a key role in optimising the service that the University Services Finance team provide to the Directorates and wider Finance teams and remove duplication and wasted effort.
   
   - They will have a clear understanding of the needs of the customer base and will work to deliver an effective service. This will include review of processes to mitigate single points of failure by maintaining process notes and identifying skills gaps within the team.
   
   - Ensure all policies, procedures and internal controls are complied with and support is delivered in an effective and efficient manner utilising the appropriate corporate systems and processes.
   
   
4. Leadership of team / Organisational Development
   
   - The role holder will act as a line manager, with direct reports, ensuring that all aspects of development and review are in place.
   
   - As a key member of the University Services team, lead by example, motivate and assist in the development of the finance team, ensuring behaviours and attitudes reflect University values. In doing so promote a continuous improvement approach, ensuring appropriate professional standards and demonstrate a culture of ownership and accountability to ensure the delivery of excellent services.
   
   - Participate fully in the work and activities of the University-wide finance community and contribute to the development of University wide finance solutions, working with the Head of Finance and finance colleagues in the central finance department and Colleges.
   
   
5. Other Duties
   
   - Provide expert professional advice and guidance, including coaching and support to non-finance staff.
   
   - Manage and deal with enquiries from internal and external customers, resolving queries and liaising, where required, with other University colleagues. Act as the Key contact for external audit supporting the Deputy Head of Finance with the annual audit.
   
   - Promote financial awareness and a culture of financial accountability across University Services to ensure financial sustainability is central to all business activities.
   
   

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, Experience

Knowledge, Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

A2 Membership of a recognised CCAB/CIMA accounting professional body.

A3 Comprehensive knowledge of business processes.

A4 Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, budgets, and forecasts.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of financial governance and regulation in the HE sector.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent leadership and management skills.

C2 High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to quickly build credibility and deliver impact at all levels.

C3 Strategic thinker, ability to develop strategy and policy and implement effectively.

C4 Ability to drive forward and deliver change in line with strategic and operational objectives and priorities.

C5 Ability to constructively challenge the status quo, influence change and present arguments based on sound professional judgement and expertise.

C6 Strong commercial awareness with a clear understanding of key business drivers and the ability to quickly understand the strategic corporate agenda in order to work effectively in partnership with senior managers.

C7 Well-developed report writing and presentation skills with the ability to present and translate comprehensive and often complex information and financial concepts for non-financial colleagues.

C8 Outstanding and proven analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make well- considered decisions, resolve conflicts and demonstrate sound, professional judgement.

C9 A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight timescales with an aptitude for prioritising work and manage competing demands.

C10 Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Substantial post-qualification management accounting experience with a proven track record in in leading and managing the financial planning, reporting and governance within a large complex environment.

E2 Demonstrable experience of working with and influencing across all levels of an organisation including senior management operating in a political or highly complex environment - providing direction, delivering results, building on relationships and capability and demonstrating personal resilience.

E3 Proven experience of building robust business cases with non-financial professionals and presenting these to senior management.

E4 Proven experience of working as a key member of a multidisciplinary team, providing financial leadership, support, and challenge.

E5 Proven experience of successfully contributing to continuous financial process improvement and change with demonstrable operational and financial efficiencies delivered.

E5 Demonstrable experience in a similar management accounting role within a large complex environment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,250 - £56,921 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and fixed term for up to 12 months from start date.

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1. A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to working.
4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Vacancy Ref : 161392 Close Date : 03-Jan-2025 23:45