Divisional Finance Accountant

Divisional Finance Accountant

Reporting to, and working closely with, the Divisional Finance Managers, this role will form part of a team of highly skilled Divisional Finance staff who are responsible for ensuring that Senior Management in UAS and GLAM departments benefits from sound advice and challenge in their areas of responsibility. 

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Finance Division supports the academic, research and administrative community at the University providing sound financial advice and timely information with a range of support services including financial operations, financial reporting, financial support and professional services.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

•             An excellent contributory pension scheme

•             38 days annual leave

•             A comprehensive range of childcare services

•             Family leave schemes

•             Cycle loan scheme

•             Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

•             Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs 

•             A welcoming and diverse community

About the Role

The postholder is responsible for all budgeting, forecasting, planning and ongoing analysis of a defined area of the Division’s portfolio of departments. They use financial analysis to improve the impact of financial reporting on departments’ performance, delivering insight that links financial reports to business strategies. They construct financial models to evaluate new organisational and business proposals, identifying associated opportunities and risks.

The postholder will work with Senior Management within UAS and GLAM departments to develop annual budgets and quarterly forecasts and monitor actual performance against budgets and profit targets, recommending corrective action where appropriate, and identifying implications for current and future years’ performance.

You will be required to provide proactive commercial and financial advice to senior management  in evaluating potential new initiatives; and in identifying ways in which the financial performance of existing activity could be improved.

The postholder will also undertake discrete finance related projects which may span the full range of the Division’s financial activities. These will offer excellent networking and development opportunities beyond the day-to-day scope of the role.

The postholder will play a lead role in the continuous improvement of the wider Finance Team’s processes as well as propagating best financial management practice across supported departments of the Division 

We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

You will be based in Hythe Bridge Street but you may be able to agree a pattern of regular remote working with your line manager.

About You

Commensurate with the high degree of technical expertise it demands, the post would suit a candidate who is at an advanced stage of acquiring a financial qualification, and who has demonstrable experience of working in a similar role in a large, complex organisation. It is envisaged that the postholder will in due course be given exposure to different areas of activity within UAS and GLAM departments, in support of their professional development

The postholder requires strong financial acumen, including an ability to identify cost savings and/or efficiency improvements, helping to ensure the Division meets the stretching financial targets set for its departments over the coming years. Excellent interpersonal skills are needed to establish credibility and influence change amongst those you support, and ensure key messages are delivered clearly and succinctly. An ability to develop strong relationships with external stakeholders where appropriate are required.

The postholder will have the ability to work independently, showing initiative and innovation. We are looking for an individual with a proven can-do attitude, a willingness to adapt, and a commitment to supporting other areas of activity as the need arises.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 23 Feburary 2023.

We will be conducting interviews throughout this process and hold the right to close applications early should we find a suitable candidate

Committed to equality and valuing diversity