Head of Financial Accounting

The Role and Department

The Head of Financial Accounting is a key role within the Finance Department, reporting to the Finance Director. The role is responsible for the Financial Accounting function which incorporates Treasury/ Cash Management, Financial Reporting, External Audit, Balance Sheet ownership and Capital Management, along with the Accounts Payable transactional processing function. This is a business facing role supporting the organisation as a whole and at all levels with respect to:

• Technical accounting expert supporting the Finance Director in ensuring financial compliance with all relevant external regulations and accounting standards;
• Support the Finance Director in ensuring the University complies with all relevant internal policies, guidance and governance requirements;
• Work alongside the Finance Director as part of the Department’s Senior Management Team;
• Ensure the integrity, timeliness and relevance of financial information for statistical, regulatory and management purposes;
• Develop an accessible and professional financial support service with standard, effective and efficient procedures and promote a programme of continuous review and improvement;
• Provide high quality financial management, advice and support.

The Head of Financial Accounting will lead a team of 28 staff with 2 direct reports and ensure the day-to-day operations take place efficiently and effectively to meet current service levels.

The role offers hybrid working with a minimum of 40% office based per week however may increase to meet business needs, eg month end, audit etc.

From early 2025 the base location for this role will change from our Durham City Centre site to our exciting new professional services hub based at Boldon House. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House will bring a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more about this project, please visit this webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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