Job Description

Job title: / Financial Accountant
Department/School: / Finance & Procurement Office
Grade: / Grade 8
Location: / University of Bath premises
Background
The University has a turnover of £220m and a net asset value of £500m. It employs over 3,000 staff in 3 academic Faculties, one school and professional and support service departments. The Finance and Procurement Office is responsible for managing the University’s income and expenditure, ensuring value for money in its financial activities and compliance with statutory and regulatory bodies and financial best practice. This role has responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the University’s accounts by producing accurate quarterly and annual accounts reflecting the Universities operating position. Additionally the role will act as a Faculty Accountant, building positive relationships with its staff.
Job purpose
The post holder will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the University’s Agresso Finance system and reporting the actual financial position of the University. This includes month and quarter end processing including the production of quarterly management accounts as well as assisting with the production of the annual Financial Statements.
Additionally the post holder will act as Accountant to the Faculty of Engineering.
Finally the post holder will develop and manage the Assistant Financial Accountant who is responsible for VAT & Fixed Asset accounting, the post holder will be expected to provide strategic VAT advice to maximise the University’s recovery.
Source and nature of management provided
Head of Financial Accounting
Staff management responsibility
Assistant Financial Accountant.
Main duties and responsibilities
Financial Regulations / Ensure that financial systems, regulations, procedures and controls are in place to safeguard assets and meet the University’s internal & external reporting obligations.
Integrity of General Ledger / Maintain the integrity of the General Ledger (GL), including the reviews of account postings to ensure they are consistent with University financial regulations and policies.
Ensure control accounts have been reconciled and clearing entries posted.
Manage the accounting structures that are embedded within the Finance system.
Month end reporting & Quarterly accounts production / Co-ordinating and undertaking month end processing.
Producing Quarterly Management accounts as per the prescribed timetable, undertaking variance and comparison monitoring in advance of review by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Responding to ad-hoc queries as raised by the CFO.
Ensure budgets are accurately posted into the Finance System (Agresso) and reflect current University forecast financial position.
Year End Financial Statements / Assist the Head of Financial Accounting with the production of the University’s annual financial statements, including the changes required as a result in changes in the FE/HE SORP and or HEFCE accounts direction statements.
VAT / Provide strategic advice to the University of VAT efficiencies, especially in support of the Capital programme/changes in legislation.
Maximise the University’s recovery of VAT as determined by law.
Assess the impact of VAT and legislative changes and communicate to reporting manager, develop a network of contacts with the HE VAT sector.
Review the production of and outputs from the Quarterly VAT return as prepared by the Assistant Financial Accountant.
Liaise with external professional advisors where appropriate.
Corporation Tax / Review the production of the annual Corporation Tax return, as prepared by the Assistant Financial Accountant and recommending to the University any changes in accounting structure required to minimise any potential charge.
Fixed Assets / Manage the recording of University Fixed Assets, using Agresso Fixed Asset module, review depreciation and capital cash flows generated as prepared by the Assistant Financial Accountant.
Co-ordinate with the Head of Financial Accounting and external advisors Land & Building revaluations and the subsequent change in asset values.
Web pages / Assist in the maintenance of the University of Bath’s Finance & Procurement Office Web pages, reviewing the site content, making recommendations for any changes.
Faculty Of Engineering Accountant / Prepare planning forecasts as part of the annual planning cycle, manage the recording of approved variations to annual budgets. Produce quarterly operating statement and explanations for Dean. Ensure annual planning process is kept to timetable and approved results are incorporated into University Forecasts. During the year revise Faculty financial position with Dean & other Senior members of the Faculty.
Assist Faculty staff in ad-hoc processes such as course costing and investment activities.
Develop links with Faculty staff, in particular Finance staff, attending Faculty meetings as required.
Subsidiary Accounts / Prepare and submit subsidiary annual accounts.
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager. You are required to follow all University policies and procedures at all times and take account of University guidance.


Person Specification

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications
Professional qualified Accountant. / P
Experience/Knowledge
Experience of working with complex financial systems.
Experience of working in the Higher Education (HE) Sector.
Experience and knowledge of HE VAT, including it’s application to capital projects.
Preparation of internal financial statements to a prescribed timetable.
Preparation of external financial statements to a prescribed timetable and liaising with external advisors. / P
P
P / P
P
Skills
Excellent interpersonal skills in order to effectively communicate complex financial information to a range of staff and University management.
Good IT and analytical skills, being able to extract and manipulate data, in particular using Excel and Word.
Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues, faculty staff and external bodies.
Ability to plan effectively, particularly in periods with parallel/conflicting priorities.
Effective staff management.
Ability to initiate and implement change / P
P
P
P
P / P
Attributes
Show self-confidence when communicating with staff and managers at all levels.
Competent, conscientious and motivated with a methodical approach to work.
Helpful and supportive manner, motivated to deliver improvements
Able to work on their own initiative, but also contribute positively to team goals. / P
P
P
P