Senior Financial Analyst

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Reporting, play a leading role in providing a comprehensive, effective, and efficient management accounting service across the University.

To provide high quality technical support across the University through insightful analysis and issue resolution.

To support and develop enhanced liaison between the central Finance Office and Colleges, ensuring accurate, timely, relevant, and reliable information allowing delivery of a customer service focus.

Responsible for the preparation of the External Management Reporting requirements of the University.

To continuously improve processes and procedures to support efficient and effective operations within a strong internal control environment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide an effective, efficient, and consistent financial management reporting service across the University:

   • The role holder will lead the month-end activity across the University, including timetabling, transaction processing, provision of standard reports to the College Finance teams and definition of the inputs required from the College Finance teams.
   • The role holder will be responsible for consolidation, review, and challenge of the monthly results and forecasts ahead of publishing to the Executive Director of Finance and Senior Management Group.
   • The role holder will be responsible for the review of balance sheet reconciliations performed in this area.
   • The role holder will also be expected to continually review the University’s management reporting and identify opportunities for enhancing the information provision whilst improving the efficiency and automation of the report preparation.

2. Preparation of Going Concern Assessment:

   • Responsible for the preparation and documentation of the Going Concern assessment as part of the annual External Audit process. This includes evaluating assumptions, identifying key risks and mitigations, and drafting the Going Concern statement in line with applicable accounting standards.
   • The role holder will work closely with the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team to obtain forecasts, cash flow projections, and supporting financial data, and will liaise with External Auditors to address queries and provide evidence as required.

3. Process efficiency and effectiveness:

   • The role holder will be expected to play a key role in optimising 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.

4. Internal Controls:

   • The role holder will be responsible for monitoring and development of internal control system within management accounts to ensure University finances are effective and accurate.
   • Work with the central Colleges to ensure internal controls operate on the preferred corporate system and process.

5. Leadership of team / Organisational Development:

   • The role holder will act as a line manager to one staff member and ensure that all aspects of development and review are in place.
   • As a key member of the Management accounts team, lead by example, motivate and assist in the development of the finance team, 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.
   • 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 and finance colleagues in the central finance department and Colleges.

6. External Management Reporting requirements of the University:

   • The role holder will support in preparation of a number of financial returns and other external management reporting requirements (SFC, TRAC, KE Metrics & HE-BCIS) ensuring that the underlying models and data preparation are performed in a timely and accurate manner.

7. Other Duties:

   • Attend meetings as required and deputise for the Deputy Head of Management Accounts.
   • Manage and deal with enquiries from internal and external customers, resolving queries and liaising, where required, with other University colleagues.
   • Act as the Key contact for external audit supporting the Head of Reporting with the annual audit.
   • Provide high quality and specialist advice & guidance on financial information and university policy

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

• A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).
• A2 Membership of a recognised CCAB/CIMA accounting professional body.
• A3 Comprehensive knowledge of business processes.
• A4 Proven track record in a large complex environment.

Desirable

• B1 Knowledge of financial governance and regulation in the HE sector.

Skills

Essential

• C1 Excellent leadership and management skills.
• C2 High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to quickly build credibility and deliver impact at all levels.
• C3 Strategic thinker, ability to develop strategy and policy and implement effectively.
• C4 Ability to drive forward and deliver change in line with strategic and operational objectives and priorities.
• C5 Ability to constructively challenge the status quo, influence change and present arguments based on sound professional judgement and expertise.
• C6 Strong commercial awareness with a clear understanding of key business drivers and the ability to quickly understand the strategic corporate agenda in order to work effectively in partnership with senior managers.
• C7 Well-developed report writing and presentation skills with the ability to present and translate comprehensive and often complex information and financial concepts for non-financial colleagues.
• C8 Outstanding and proven analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make well- considered decisions, resolve conflicts and demonstrate sound, professional judgement.
• C9 A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight timescales with an aptitude for prioritising work and manage competing demands.
• C10 Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.

Experience

Essential

• E1 Substantial post-qualification management accounting experience with a proven track record in in leading and managing the financial planning, reporting and governance within a large complex environment.
• E2 Demonstrable experience of working with and influencing across all levels of an organisation including senior management operating in a political or highly complex environment – providing direction, delivering results, building on relationships and capability and demonstrating personal resilience.
• E3 Proven experience of successfully contributing to continuous financial process improvement and change with demonstrable operational and financial efficiencies delivered.
• E4 Demonstrable experience in a similar management accounting role within a large complex environment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 – £58,225 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Closing date: 21 May 2026

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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr…