Overview
The Department of Finance provides a wide range of financial support across the University. You will be part of the Faculty Finance team within the Department of Finance, acting as an Assistant Finance Business Partner, focused on delivering excellent service.
The role reports on a day‑to‑day basis to a Finance Business Partner (FBP) deployed within the Faculty of Science.
The primary focus of this role is to provide sound financial support to our Schools, helping them ensure that their external research and doctoral funding achieves the research objectives specified by the sponsor’s terms and conditions.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Act as a recognised source of financial support and advice to Principal Investigators, their staff and other Professional Services staff in managing a complex and diverse portfolio of post‑award research accounts and doctoral studentship accounts.
- Initiate regular liaison and meetings with both internal and external sources in order to provide financial management information and advice via briefings and reports (e.g., external sponsors, Heads of School, Principal Investigators and Human Resources).
- Support the Finance Business Partner with administering staff approvals and associated cost distributions for core funded or externally funded posts.
- Analyse and review individual externally funded project accounts to identify potential under/overspends on a timely basis so remedial action may be taken as appropriate.
- Prepare financial expenditure statements on externally funded projects as required, liaising with School staff and other Finance or HR teams as appropriate.
- Assist in the preparation of accruals for month‑end reporting.
- Assist in the review of local accounting and operational finance procedures, internal controls within the Faculty to ensure consistency across Schools (and other Faculty teams) and to minimise financial risks. Regularly review service levels to ensure excellent service is provided in the most efficient manner possible.
- Highlight and disseminate best practice and up‑to‑date policy, procedural information as well as sponsor information to Faculty/Schools.
- Provide external auditors with relevant information necessary for completing the audit of externally funded projects.
- Plan tasks in accordance with known deadlines, including external sponsor requirements, monthly and annual University financial reporting requirements.
- Lead assigned project teams or contribute as part of a larger project team to support the achievement of a specific objective.
- As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected.
Essential Qualities and Skills
- Knowledge of financial procedures and accounting concepts, gained either through relevant qualifications or work experience.
- Ability to analyse, interpret and effectively communicate financial information to diverse non‑specialist audiences.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and customer service skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships.
- High level of computer literacy and experience in the use of Excel and MS Office software.
- Ability to resolve problems using own creative solutions, and excellent numerical skills/pattern recognition.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to manipulate and interpret financial data and excellent attention to detail.
- Effective team player with a flexible approach.
- Ability to work proactively to multiple deadlines, using own initiative and with minimum supervision.
- Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to enquiries. Approachable and personable with a strong customer focus.
- Ability to gain trust, confidence and respect amongst colleagues.
- Confident with a willingness to challenge and be challenged.
- Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances.
- Obtained, or working towards, a CCAB accountancy qualification (or other relevant professional qualification/equivalent experience).
Desirable
- Experience of using SAP or other ERP software applications.
Salary and Employment Details
Grade: 6
Salary: £32,080 to £36,636 (pro rata)
Work arrangement: Full time
Line manager: Finance Business Partner
Direct reports: n/a
Security Requirements
This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check as a condition of employment.
Benefits
- Minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (e.g., Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- Range of generous family‑friendly policies, including paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for those going through the menopause, paid time off and support for fertility treatment, and more.
Equal Opportunity and Disability
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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