UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN JOB DESCRIPTION CONTEXT

Transcription

1 JOB TITL DPARTMNT Finance LOCATION UNIVRSITY OF LINCOLN JOB DSCRIPTION Financial Reporting Graduate Trainee Brayford Pool JOB NUMBR FS6100 GRAD 4 DAT August 2015 RPORTS TO Senior Finance Manager CONTXT The Finance Department consists of approximately 35 professional staff who have relationships with every area of the University at both a strategic and operational level. The role of Finance ranges from supporting the development of University strategy, maintaining accurate accounting records, safeguarding assets and providing an excellent student experience. This Graduate Trainee role sits within the Financial Reporting Team in the Finance Department. This team are responsible for the provision of University wide financial information to key internal and external stakeholders, including the Senior Management Team, the Board of Governors, University bankers/funding providers and sector regulators. JOB PURPOS To support the delivery of timely and accurate University wide financial information. Key elements of the job include supporting: the preparation of monthly management accounts and annual statutory financial statements; the preparation of the annual budget and five year plan; the completion and submission of external financial data returns; the external and internal audit processes; and the enhancement of financial awareness across the University. The role holder will be expected to undertake a programme of professional study for an accountancy qualification (ACCA). This we be funded by the University in accordance with the Departmental Study Policy. It is expected that this will be a progressive position with the post holder advancing to grade 5 as they develop within the role. This will be subject to both the successful completion of exams and the achievement of pre-determined operational objectives. Page 1 of 6

2 KY RSPONSIBILITIS Month nd and Year nd Financial Reporting To assist in preparing high quality and accurate monthly management accounts. Monitoring performance against budget, identifying variances, investigating causes and providing explanations with suggested remedial action if necessary. To assist in the preparation of the year end statutory financial statements. Monitoring monthly balance sheet accounts and preparing reconciliations. Liaising with Finance Department colleagues to ensure reconciling items are understood and corrected as appropriate. Reconciling, monitoring and forecasting student related income and bursaries/scholarships, working with the Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Registry and Planning teams. Preparing and collating data financial documentation for the year end accounts process. Financial Planning and Forecasting To support the Senior Finance Manager in the preparation of the University s annual budget and five year forecasts. Assist in managing the monthly re-forecasting process for student income and central budgets. Pro-actively identify issues arising from actual results against budgets and forecasts and reporting findings in a timely manner, with recommended action as appropriate. Provision of Management Information To undertake ad-hoc financial MI requests from both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring data provided is accurate and of high quality. Demonstrate good financial awareness and technical accounting skills. Understand and interpret key financial information. Present MI in a focused and user-orientated style to facilitate key decisions. Space Charging Assist in preparing the budget and forecast data for space charging, liaising with the states Accountant and Space Manager to agree the methodology and data. Allocate and monitor monthly charges to Colleges and Professional Services. Provide space charge reports to College and Professional Services to set out the budget and forecast, with key variances identified and explained. Act as key contact for the Business Partners in connection with space charging related queries from Colleges and Professional Services; providing feedback where appropriate to the Space Manager and/or states Accountant. Assist in developing efficiencies and improvement to the space charging process and reporting. Page 2 of 6

3 xternal and Internal Audit Support the Senior Finance Manager in the administration and organisation of the University s internal audit plan. Liaise with internal auditors and members of University staff at all levels to make appropriate arrangements for the planned reviews. Monitor and report on the performance of the internal auditors whilst on site, their achievement against KPIs and seek feedback from review participators, ensuring issues are reported to Line Manager as they arise. To support the Senior Finance Manager in working with the University s external audit providers to ensure the successful delivery of the annual audit, being a key contact for the auditors whilst on site. Page 3 of 6

4 xternal Data Returns To support the Senior Finance Manager in the preparation of the University s statutory external data returns. Specifically including the HSA (Higher ducation Statistics Agency) finance return, the HFC Annual Accountability Return, and the TRAC (Transparent Approach to Costing) return. Financial Awareness Training To support the Senior Finance Manager in developing, implementing and delivering financial awareness training across the University. To liaise with the Staff Learning and Development Team within HR to embed into staff training programmes. Systems Develop understanding of the University s finance system and reporting structures to enable accurate reporting and analysis of financial data. In addition to the above, undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Scope and dimensions of the role The post holder will report to the Senior Finance Manager Key working relationships/networks Internal xternal Chief Finance Officer Deputy CFO Senior Finance Managers Finance Business Partnering team Finance Department staff at all levels Planning and Business Intelligence Key contacts within Colleges/Professional Services for internal audit Internal Auditors xternal Auditors Page 4 of 6

5 UNIVRSITY OF LINCOLN PRSON SPCIFICATION JOB TITL Graduate Trainee JOB NUMBR FS6100 Selection Criteria ssential () or Desirable (D) Where videnced Application (A) Interview (I) Presentation (P) Test (T) Qualifications: First degree or equivalent. A Commitment to study towards a professional accountancy qualification xperience: xperience of researching and extracting information from a variety of sources xperience of analysing and interpreting financial data,t xperience and understanding of a computerised accounting system D Appreciation of issues facing the H sector D Skills and Knowledge: xcellent and demonstrable numerical skills,t Good analysis and evaluation skills,t,p Good organisation and time management skills,t,p Good verbal and written communication,p xperience of working within a team Competencies and Personal Attributes: Ability to plan and prioritise work,t Ability to interact with academic and professional service staff I Ability to work with minimum supervision,t Ability to demonstrate creative and innovative ways of thinking Ability to thrive in a demanding and sometimes pressured role A commitment to continuing professional development Business Requirements: Flexible in working hours to accommodate tight month-end reporting deadlines I ssential Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Desirable Requirements are those which would be useful for the post Page 5 of 6

6 holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. Author CH HRBA J Page 6 of 6