Hours
35.75 hours per week (1.0FTE)
Contract Basis
Open ended
Location
Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh
Purpose of the Finance Division
To implement and further develop the University's financial strategy, in partnership with senior management
To ensure that reliable and meaningful management information is made available to users, including the University Court and its committees, senior management, University budget holders and external users (such as the Scottish Funding Council)
To ensure that adequate internal financial controls are in place and are operating effectively, to the satisfaction of internal and external auditors, the Audit & Risk Committee and the University Court
To ensure that all financial transactions are processed accurately and timeously
To ensure that appropriate support is provided for the effective management of research, knowledge exchange and commercial activities
To ensure that income is administered efficiently, is maximised and received as early as possible, and that costs are controlled effectively
Role purpose
To support the Director of Operations & Finance in delivering a high quality, proactive financial management and management information service to managers across the institution and to the University Court and its committees and to external stakeholders. To Deputise for the Director of Operations & Finance as required, and to facilitate the delivery of the relevant financial management information and associated reports as part of the strategic planning, financial forecasting and year end accounts processes. To develop, manage and facilitate procedures for the effective support of research, knowledge exchange and commercial activities.
Principal duties or key objectives
Manage the operational activities of staff in the Management Accounting, Finance Office and Research Grants & Contracts sections of the Division, including taking a pro-active role in ensuring the development of these staff, making use of the management of performance and performance enhancement review processes
Ensure the delivery of high quality, relevant and timely management information to the University Court and its committees, to the Executive Board, and to managers across the University
Provide training and pro-active advice and support to managers in discharging their financial management responsibilities
Take the lead role in the preparation of the annual statutory accounts for the University and its subsidiary company
Ensure that proper financial controls and procedures are in place and are regularly reviewed, and that the University is operating in accordance with these procedures
Take responsibility for the integrity of the Payroll process, including reviewing and authorising the monthly Payroll run (along with the Head of Human Resources)
Oversee compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including the submission of VAT and other tax returns and financial information requirements of the Scottish Funding Council, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Companies House and the Higher Education Statistics Agency
Take responsibility and accountability for the whole procurement function, and take the lead role in managing procurement activity and value-for-money processes across the organisation. Ensure a clearly articulated procurement strategy
Working with the Systems Accountant, oversee the on going development of financial, procurement and research support management information systems and their efficient and effective operation
Ensure the provision of an efficient support service for research, knowledge exchange and commercial activities
Maintain the University's treasury management policy and practices, providing effective management of funds and borrowing
Manage the operational relationships with the University's internal and external auditors, bankers, insurance providers and other relevant advisors
Represent the University on relevant professional and sector-wide groups
Carry out any other duties commensurate with the role which are deemed appropriate by the Director of Operations & Finance
Person Specification - Essential
CCAB qualified, with at least five years' post-qualification experience of the full range of accounting and financial management responsibilities of a complex finance department, in either the public or private sector. Experience will be focused on the delivery and interpretation of management information, using that information to input to policy development and to contribute to corporate planning processes
Able to analyse complex financial information and to present this clearly to financial and non-financial managers and external stakeholders
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Experience of working with computerised finance systems, including all aspects of reporting tools within finance systems, including Microsoft Excel
Working at team leader level with experience of resource planning and performance review
Person Specification - Desirable
Ability to cope well with rapid change, and to adopt a flexible attitude to work requirements
Experience of the higher education sector and its funding arrangements