Financial Accountant

Job Description

Job Title: Financial Accountant

Tenure: Permanent Full-Time 36.25 hrs per week
Salary: FTE £40k-£45k depending on qualifications and experience
Department: Finance Department
Reports to: College Accountant

Purpose of the Job and Main Responsibilities:

To assist the College Accountant in preparing and providing a financial & management accounting and
internal audit overview of all aspects of College finances. The Financial Accountant will be working as
part of and alongside a small Finance team. The role requires someone with all round experience, who is
prepared to learn and understand the processes of a Cambridge College, to aid its continued process
improvement and their self-development. The role has overlapping objectives with the Management
and Project Accountants to ensure more than one person can carry out a function within the
department.

The Financial Accountant will have broad duties and tasks which are expected to include:

1. Management accounts, budgeting and forecasting

 Prepare monthly accruals, prepayments and other ad hoc journals

 Assisting with the preparation and production of timely, accurate and meaningful monthly
management accounts, commentary, supporting analysis and variance reports
 Provide budget holders with financial information which meets their needs
 Assist with the collection and collation of information and data in order to assist with the
preparation of the annual budget and forecast projections
 Prepare restricted funds statements to fund holders with restricted spend highlighted, and reconcile
to Awards Spreadsheet
 Review and suggest improvements to GP Management Reporter and GP’s upgrade (Financial
software)
 Work closely with the Operations Director in respect of large building projects, understanding VAT
and other financial and legal requirements

2. Financial and regulatory reporting

 Assist with the year-end routines and help with the preparation of RCCA statutory accounts for the
College and other companies/charities of the group
 This will include liaison with the external auditors during the year-end processes
 Assist with the preparation of other regulatory returns, ensuring they are submitted in a timely
manner
 Assist with quarterly investment analysis and reporting
 Prepare and roll-out finance training to College departments

3. Financial transactions and cash flow

 Ensure that all money received in and paid out is correctly posted and allocated
 Prepare monthly bank reconciliations
 Ensure control accounts are reconciled monthly and any issues are resolved
 Assist with the continued documentation of systems and internal controls
 Maintain the monthly cash flow schedule and produce regular cash flow forecast reports with
appropriate narrative

4. Student Billings

 Ensure that knowledge about this function is adequately documented and transferred, to
compliment the Project and Management Accountants
 To work with the Student Billings & Income Assistant to improve and streamline the department’s
work-load in respect of the student billings function; liaising with Accommodation and Student
Services as necessary
 Ensure control accounts are reconciled monthly and review for understanding
 Prepare billing deferments to accurately reflect College operations and compare to cash flow
 Support the training requirements of the apprentice accountant and her financial training
 Ensure the monthly payment to the University is documented and fully reconciled

5. Systems and IT

 Assist with the continued development and implementation of financial systems and associated
peripheral systems e.g. Kinetic Solutions, roll-out data access of cost centres to College
departments, upgrading and reviewing requirements of the financial ledgers
 Ensure processes within the department are documented so any team member would be able to
temporarily carry out a function if required

6. Taxation

 Assist with and prepare quarterly VAT returns/Gift Aid Returns/PAYE etc
 Liaise with external experts for advice when required

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties. This job description may be subject to change, following
consultation between the post holder and their line manager. The post holder may be asked to take on
different tasks as required, and all employees are expected to work collaboratively to support the
overall work of the College.
Person Specification

CRITERIA Requirement
1. Experience
 Significant experience of working in a Finance Dept. as a Management or Essential
Financial Accountant
 Post qualification experience in financial and management accounting Essential
including year-end statutory accounts preparation
 Adept at resolving problems & providing solutions Essential
 Experience of working in a Cambridge College Desirable

2. Qualifications
 Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACA/ACCA)
 GCSE Maths & English Essential
Essential
3. Knowledge/Skills
 Microsoft Packages, especially Excel
 Charity SORP/FRS102/VAT Essential
 Employment law: RTI/PAYE/NIC and Pensions’ regulations Essential
 Familiar with accounting software packages e.g. Earnie, GP Microsoft Desirable
Dynamics software, Kinetic Solutions, Uniware Desirable

4. Personal Attributes
 Dedicated to being a team player
 Resilient and calm under time pressure Essential
 A desire and ability to review and improve accounting processes Essential
 Absolute discretion and confidentiality Essential
 A desire and ability to pass on knowledge and train colleagues Essential
Desirable