Job Description

Financial Analyst

Job Purpose

Provide an effective, efficient and consistent financial management reporting service across the University. Play a key role in delivering an effective budgeting and planning process across the University. Lead on the collation and completion of sector specific statutory financial returns. Deliver process efficiency and effectiveness. Support training and awareness on management reporting and budgeting.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. The role holder will support the Senior Finance Analyst and the Head of Management Accounts in co-ordinating all month-end activity across the University, including timetabling, transaction processing, and provision of standard reports to the College Finance teams.

2. The role holder will consolidate, review and challenge the monthly results and full year forecast and prepare the monthly reporting pack for review with the Senior Finance Analyst and the Head of Management Accounts, ahead of review by the Finance Office Directorate and publishing to the Senior Management Group.

3. The role holder will contribute to the improvement of all aspects of financial management reporting within the University, including salary forecasting, research reporting and systemisation of the budget process. The role holder will be a key contact for external consultants and the College Finance teams, ensuring improvements are made to the current reporting.

4. The role holder will consolidate the budget inputs for review with the Senior Finance Analyst, the Head of Management Accounts and the Finance Directorate, ahead of meetings with key members of the Senior Management Group. The role holder will provide robust analysis of the budget inputs, with comparison to previous performance and to strategic goals, and summarise key areas for consideration.

5. The role holder will lead on the preparation and completion of sector specific statutory financial returns, for example, the annual Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Finance Return, the annual Knowledge Exchange (KE) Return, the annual Higher Education - Business and Community Interaction Return (HE-BCI) and the annual Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) Return. The role holder will use knowledge and judgement to ensure data is correctly allocated and makes sense relative to each other. The role holder will work with colleagues in Planning, Research & Enterprise, Estates & Buildings and College Finance teams to ensure all elements of the returns are accurately reflected.

6. The role holder will service adhoc financial queries and requests for information, from both internal (Management Accounts mailbox, Finance Office Directorate, Senior Management Group) and external sources (Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Statistics Agency, Freedom of Information). The role holder will provide accurate, informed and reliable responses in a timely nature, with reference to service level agreements and statutory requirements.

7. The role holder will be expected to optimise the service that the Management Accounting team provide to the College 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 provide an effective service level delivery. In doing so, they will be expected to work closely with College Finance staff and Financial Accounting staff to ensure that management reporting, and the underlying data integrity and processing, is delivered in a controlled, effective and efficient manner, utilising a standard corporate process.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, SVQ level 4)

or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training) and

experience of personal development in a similar or related role

A2 Understanding of how to deploy IT systems, such as MS products and financial

accounting software

A3 Thorough knowledge of financial and accounting policy and procedures

Desirable

B1 Completion of a recognised professional accounting qualification

B2 Knowledge of Agresso Business World Financial System

Skills

Essential

C1 Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft packages, such as Excel, Word, Access and

Powerpoint, and accounting software packages

C2 Effective team worker, able to influence across formal organisational reporting lines

C3 Ability to present and explain financial information

C4 Able to prioritise and juggle competing demands from a variety of stakeholders

C5 Highly effective interpersonal skills, with the ability to challenge with diplomacy

C6 Proactive, able to maintain momentum in the face of obstacles and setbacks

C7 Proven analytical and problem-solving capability, with a commitment to continuous

improvement

Experience

Essential

E1 Significant practical experience within a complex organisation

E2 Has been actively involved in supporting management reporting, budgeting and

forecasting activities

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, \xc2\xa339,347 - \xc2\xa344,263 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

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 : 127228 Close Date : 03-Oct-2023 23:45

University of Glasgow