UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE Estates, Capital and Projects Accountant DEPARTMENT Finance LOCATION Brayford Campus JOB NUMBER FS6105 GRADE 7 DATE March 2014
REPORTS TO Senior Finance Manager
CONTEXT
The Finance Department consists of approximately 30 professional staff who have relationships with every area of the University at both a strategic and operational level. The role of Finance includes supporting the development of University strategy, maintaining accurate accounting records, safeguarding assets and delivering an excellent student experience.
JOB PURPOSE
To be a key member of the Finance Business Partnering Team providing financial expertise and pro-active support in the key areas as set out below.
To provide a complete finance business partnering service to the Estates and Commercial Facilities (E&CF) Department. To support the Director of E&CF and the team in achieving their strategic objectives and the objectives of the University as a whole. To work alongside E&CF in the maintenance and development of the physical estate to include short and long term financial planning, financial appraisal, performance monitoring and the provision of appropriate, accurate and timely management information.
To provide specific finance support to both E&CF and the wider University on the planning, control and monitoring of capital expenditure and buildings projects, attending Project Steering Groups as required.
To work closely with the CFO, Deputy CFO and Senior Finance Managers delivering financial support and expertise on key strategic projects. To include commercial collaborations, joint ventures, internationalisation, raising of finance and all other key projects in support of the University’s ambitions.
Page 1 of 6 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic and Planning
Understand the University’s vision, strategic objectives and values and how E&CFs own goals and objectives map to these. Provide financial expertise and technical skills and knowledge in support of achieving these objectives. Identify and challenge activities where E&CF is not operating in line with the strategic objectives or where they are not demonstrating appropriate awareness of the operating environment. Work with Planning and Business Intelligence and other relevant Finance staff to ensure that capital and estate modelling is consistent with student number forecasting models and the overall University student strategy. Attend E&CF management planning meetings offering specialist financial knowledge and expertise in the key long term decision making processes to the Director of E&CF and the senior team.
Financial Information and Analysis
Utilise strong financial awareness skills and technical accounting skills to analyse and interpret financial information providing clear communication to both finance and non-finance team members. Present MI in a focused and user-orientated style to facilitate key decisions. Prepare monthly management accounts for E&CF. Monitor income and expenditure against budget and identify variances. Lead regular meetings with senior E&CF team members to review performance and investigate causes. Provide advice regarding likely impact on delivery of budget and provide explanation of remedial action if necessary. Provide the Director of E&CF and other senior staff with timely, accurate and reliable financial information to assist in the making of key decisions. Provide budget holders with timely, accurate and reliable financial information to assist in the performance of their duties. Work closely with the other relevant business partners and the wider Finance team in the preparation of the annual TRAC return in the most efficient manner. Provide information to the Senior Financial Managers and other relevant Finance colleagues for year-end purposes.
Budgeting and Forecasting
Support the E&CF team and key finance staff in the preparation of annual budgets and five year plans. Ensure budgets are accurate and in line with strategic objectives of both the Department and the University. Provide guidance and support on the allocation of resources suggesting options and creative solutions for optimisation strategies. Ensure budgets are produced to the agreed Finance timetable and proper communication is maintained throughout the entire process. Manage the Department’s monthly re-forecasting process. Proactively identify issues arising from actual results to date / run-rates / forecasts and address these with the appropriate budget holders and the Director of E&CF. Escalate issues to wider Finance and University management as necessary.
Page 2 of 6 External Income Generating Activities / Commercial Activities
Provide financial analysis, support and guidance in the preparation of all business cases for income generating and commercial purposes. Ensure all financial analysis and modelling is robust and accurate with appropriate investment appraisal techniques considered.
Staff Support and Guidance
Provide accurate advice on technical aspects of accounting and offer reasoned, and technically sound, solutions to issues raised. Provide continual support and advice to budget holders and Departmental finance officers in all aspects of financial awareness, procedures, regulations and compliance. Assist in the provision and direction of the work of the Departmental finance officers ensuring the best split of resources between Finance and E&CF. Provide on-the-job training and coaching as appropriate. Assist with the provision of the Financial Awareness Training programme to all relevant E&CF staff.
Systems
Ensure the reporting structures are appropriately set up to support all Departmental activities. Utilise the coding structure and functionality within the Agresso system to ensure that all E&CF activity is appropriately coded to facilitate internal monitoring and external reporting. Support the development of Finance systems ensuring that they are up to date and fit for purpose.
Capital Expenditure and Building Projects
Work closely with key management within Estates in order to make decisions on the allocation of financial resources for capital investment purposes to develop the physical and technological environment. Deliver a draft capital building timetable as part of the budget and five year planning process which aligns to the University’s strategic priorities. Maintain overall financial control of all capital projects and provide accurate and timely financial information to all stakeholders. Work closely with both E&CF and Colleges to ensure that detailed client requirements incorporated within new capital builds fully fit within the financial envelope of the project. Provide detailed and accurate financial information to capital Project Steering Group (PSG) meetings for key University building projects. Deputise for the Senior Finance Manager at PSG meetings as required, utilising financial knowledge and skills to provide financial guidance and make recommendations as appropriate.
Strategic Projects
Work closely with the CFO, Deputy CFO and Senior Finance Managers delivering financial
Page 3 of 6 support and expertise on key strategic projects, which may include commercial collaborations, joint ventures, internationalisation, raising of finance and all other key projects in support of the University’s ambitions. Attend cross functional project meetings as appropriate providing financial and commercial expertise, guidance and recommendation. Utilise a range of technical financial modelling skills (including discounted cashflows/net present value modelling, scenario analysis etc) to provide robust financial information to support business critical decisions. Prepare high quality financial papers to support discussions and decisions at SMT, Executive Board and Board of Governors meetings as requested. Ensure financials are presented in an appropriate format taking full consideration of the audience and the relevant levels of financial expertise.
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
Reports to the Senior Finance Manager (Business Partnering).
Annual E&CF expenditure budgets of c£8m and capital budgets of c£15m.
Key working relationships/networks Internal External
Chief Finance Officer Internal and External Auditors Deputy CFO External Project Managers Director of Planning and Business Intelligence Buildings contractors Director of Estates and Commercial Facilities Estates and Commercial Facilities staff at all levels Capital Project Steering Groups
Page 4 of 6 UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE Estates, Capital and Projects Accountant JOB NUMBER FS6105
Where Evidenced Essential Application (A) (E) or Selection Criteria Interview (I) Desirable Presentation (P) (D) References (R) Qualifications: CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant E A Experience: Accounting, financial analysis and reporting experience E A/I Experience working in a high quality, pro-active and delivery E A/I focused finance function Experience and understanding of a computerised accounting E A/I system Experience in financial modelling and investment appraisal E A/I Experience within the HE sector D A/I/R Experience of the Agresso system and Excelerator package D A/I Experienced Microsoft Office user – especially Excel E A/I Skills and Knowledge: Strong financial awareness and financial management E I capability Highly developed interpersonal skills E I/P Excellent organisation and time management skills E I/P Ability to motivate, lead and develop team members D I Strong verbal and written communication E I/P Ability to communicate data effectively – written, numerical E I and graphical Excellent team working skills E I Current practical knowledge of accounting regulations and E I related legislation Understanding of the financial management issues of a E I/P University Understanding of the estates and buildings issues of a D I/P University Competencies and Personal Attributes: A professional and proactive approach E I Able to initiate, drive and gain acceptance for change E I Able to demonstrate use of initiative/self-starter E I Able to build effective internal and external working E I/P relationships
Page 5 of 6 Ability to thrive in a demanding and sometimes pressured E I role A commitment to continuing professional development E I
Essential 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 holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.
Author DB HRBA JE
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