Job Description

Senior Management Accountant

Christ Church is seeking to appoint a proactive and efficient Senior Management Accountant to support the Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer. This role is at the very heart of a large Oxford College, a Cathedral and a Cathedral School, in a busy and fast-paced environment. This is a particularly exciting time for Christ Church and the Treasury team as they embark on two large Estates Projects with a combined investment of circa 80m; one to deliver a Graduate Centre and another to extend the Library and refurbish the Picture Gallery.

Overall purpose of post:

To support the Budget Holders and Senior Management at Christ Church, in all aspects of financial strategic planning, financial management, financial reporting and business support. The post holder will be required to design, establish and produce management accounts for Christ Church. To propose and agree with budget holders their Key Performance Indicators, subsequently monitoring and analysing actual performance against targets and providing meaningful commentary. To establish and provide a high standard of finance business partnering to non-financial managers and department heads, providing all aspects of financial management in support of the relevant budget holder. To provide financial business cases in support of investment and improved efficiency for Christ Church such that Value for Money and a return on investment can be demonstrated, alongside responsible use of funds from the Christ Church Endowment. To have day-to-day responsibility for budgetary control and management systems across the College, the Cathedral and the Cathedral School.

Main duties:

1. Coordinate Strategic and Financial Planning

Coordinate the annual budget and 5-year financial planning for Christ Church, working closely with the College Accountant and with budget holders to develop informed, accurate financial plans for revenue and capital expenditure, aligned with Christ Church's priorities.

2. Deliver Robust Management Reporting

Produce accurate, timely, and insightful routine and ad hoc management reports, ensuring meaningful financial information is available to support decision-making and performance monitoring.

3. Support Budget Holders and Maintain Controls

Partner with budget holders to review financial performance, support their management of budgets, and identify risks. Provide challenge and support, ensuring compliance with financial controls and authorisation levels, and escalate significant issues to the Treasurer.

4. Oversee Month-End and Year-End Reporting

Lead the preparation and review of monthly and year-end management accounts, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission in line with the Treasurer's timetable. Working closely with the College Accountant to ensure a compliant year end, delivered on time for committee reporting and Governing Body approval.

5. Advise and Influence at Senior Level

Actively contribute to working group and committee meetings (e.g. Cathedral School Working Group, Capital Project Committees), providing financial advice and insight to support effective planning and operational decisions.

6. Lead Training and Build Financial Capability

Develop financial literacy by training and advising staff on Christ Church financial regulations, delegations, financial processes, financial systems, and reporting tools. Translate complex financial data into accessible formats for non-finance colleagues.

7. Provide Financial Analysis and Insight

Deliver in-depth analysis of financial performance, including trends, forecasts, and expenditure breakdowns by project or contractor, to inform strategic decision-making.

8. Ensure Compliance and Audit Readiness

Maintain compliance with Christ Church policies and Financial Regulations. Prepare timely, complete responses to internal/external audit enquiries.

9. Drive Process Improvement and Collaboration

Work with Treasury colleagues, the Cathedral, the Cathedral School and the Stewards department, to standardise processes and implement finance and payroll system improvements, whilst sharing best practice.

10. Model Good Customer Service

Ensure Customers can access what they need from one team and/or one place without having to wade through disparate resources and systems. Ensure staff are empowered (via delegation) and technologies (service automation, lean processes, self-service documentation) to resolve enquiries at first point of contact. Ensure that time is prioritised on the more qualitative, complex and high value interactions.

Person Specification:

Essential

CCAB qualified or equivalent Significant experience, at least 5 years post-qualification experience, in management accounting, ideally at a senior level, supporting budget holders (e.g. Heads of Department, Directors) with budgets of 25m+ Proven expertise in budget management, planning, forecasting, and risk identification Track record of producing accurate, timely monthly management accounts and maintaining robust financial controls Strong experience in working with operational teams to analyse performance drivers, identify improvement opportunities, and develop financial business cases Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders Excellent written skills, with the ability to produce a clear and concise financial paper for presentation at Board level. Effective interpersonal and business partnering skills, including influencing and negotiation. Excellent attention to detail alongside analytical and problem-solving skills. Proactive and adaptable, with a positive approach to managing multiple priorities in a changing environment. Effective time management and organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate processes and meet tight deadlines. Ability to lead and work as part of a team, and under own initiative Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications, ERP systems and reporting tools Experienced in working with different finance systems Experienced in process improvement and system implementation (or optimisation)
Desirable

Experience in the Higher education sector Experience of staff management and development Experience of payroll systems Experience of lending (making the case, securing lending and managing covenants)

To apply for the role, please visit https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/vacancies/senior-management-accountant

Applications submitted only on Indeed will not be considered.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Free flu jabs Gym membership Health & wellbeing programme Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:

Oxford OX1 1DP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

post-qualification in management accounting: 5 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person