Project Accountant

Project Accountant

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Project Accountant (IS) and working closely with the Head of Finance, Information Services, Programme Office and Project Managers play a key role in the provision of comprehensive, effective and efficient project financial management support. To provide high quality technical support through insightful analysis and issue resolution. To challenge and help improve existing processes and procedures, and to support provision of financial governance on Projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Provide professional financial advice, guidance and challenge to project Managers, including developing robust financial appraisals, leading regular project forecast activity and producing robust project financial reports and analyses together with specialist recommendations on key areas of focus.

A key member of the finance team you will lead by example and motivate, 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.

Provide timely management information for both strategic and operational purposes, including strategic financial planning, financial governance and control, budgeting, forecasting, monitoring and reporting.

Work with the Senior Project Accountant to oversee the non-strategic projects within the Investment Plan, ensuring early identification of any deviance from budget, the preparation of impact analyses and reports on revenue/capital cash-flow planning, and providing specialist support on appropriate risk management plans.

Assist the Senior Project Accountant to develop and implement a capital project financial governance structure and associated processes and procedures, ensuring alignment with the University's corporate financial processes and that the evolving needs of a continuously growing and developing campus estate are met.

Work with the Senior Project Accountant and Head of Finance - US to develop the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of financial reports, management information and the financial tools and templates associated with costing, business evaluation, cash flow planning and financial risk management.

Assist with development of options appraisals and business plans/business cases in respect of Information technology investment, providing robust financial challenge and ensuring that all business cases progressed withstand scrutiny and contain measurable delivery criteria.

Attend project boards as required, preparing detailed business cases and other analyses for senior management, challenging and testing the data provided and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of reports. Actively contribute to all relevant project meetings and working groups.

Provide appropriate input to the monthly management accounts, commentaries and monthly financial performance indicators, ensuring a “no surprises” culture.

Support the Senior Project Accountant & the Head of Finance - US in an on-going programme of review of project financial management, reporting and governance processes, ensuring recommendations for continuous improvement are reported, considered, implemented and measured.

Promote financial awareness and a culture of financial accountability across the Information Services department to ensure financial sustainability is central to all business activities.

Act as a contact in relation to internal audit and procurement matters, ensuring compliance with all legislative, best practice and University corporate financial requirements and procedures.

Work with the University's Procurement team to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements in relation to the procurement of contractors.

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, University Services and finance colleagues in the corporate finance department and those in Colleges.

Work closely with the central university finance function to ensure all policies and procedures are complied with and transactional support is delivered in an effective and efficient manner utilising the appropriate corporate system and process and all staff comply with the inherent financial controls.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/ Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4) or equivalent

A2 Membership of/ progressing with a recognised CCAB accounting professional body

A3 Strong evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role

A4 Good understanding of budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning.

A5 Good working knowledge of VAT and its application in capital projects

Desirable:

B1 Post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline

B2 Knowledge of financial governance and regulation in the HE sector

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare and present financial management reports and commentary

C2 Excellent interpersonal skills, able to quickly build effective working relationship at all levels, and with the confidence and capability to challenge assumptions and practices

C3 Demonstrable customer service skills with the ability to evidence a strategic solution focused approach that is adaptable to the needs of the customer and the continued success of the department

C4 Self-motivated with the ability to effectively plan, prioritise and organise workload in response to business needs, working effectively under pressure to ensure that competing deadlines are met

C5 Logical and analytical thinker with astute decision-making, problem solving and conflict resolution skills

C6 Excellent IT skills with the ability to develop and enhance computerised management systems, analyse and manipulate data and present meaningful management information using a range of industry standard and accounting software including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint

C7 An ability to demystify complex financial concepts for non-financial colleagues

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience in a similar or related role(s) within a large and complex financial environment with a proven track record in reporting and governance on revenue/capital Investment project

E2 Experience of working with non-financial managers to drive improvements in financial analysis leading to additional insight and improved decision-making

E3 Experience of supporting the preparation of business cases with non- financial professionals

E4 Can evidence success in influencing senior management

ES Demonstrable experience of presenting and explaining financial data to both financial and non­ financial colleagues such that it is fully understood

E6 Experience of successfully leading continuous financial process improvement and change with demonstrable operational and financial efficiencies delivered

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working within the finance team within the Information Technology sector

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £37,474 - £42,155 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) 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 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 : 107111 Close Date : 05-Feb-2023 23:45