The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here 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. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. • The University closes between Christmas and New Year • We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS). • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. • A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. • If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria 1. Qualified accountant with significant professional experience working in a senior finance role operating at a strategic level with demonstrable technical financial expertise. 2. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation. 3. Experience of contributing to financial planning, reporting and financial control at both operational and strategic level. 4. Experience of developing innovative solutions and practical implementations for change. 5. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines along with current accounting standards and regulations. 6. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. 7. Track record of cross-functional management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams. 8. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 9. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation 10. Experience leading external audit and preparation of financial statements under FRS102 / UK GAAP. Skills / Abilities 11. Demonstrable experience of leadership of diverse teams in a complex organisation. 12. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 13. Excellent digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications and relevant financial systems with experience in developing digital skills across teams and utilising technology to drive efficiencies. 14. Ability to demonstrate a proactive approach to service development and a commitment to improving systems and processes through problem solving and deciding and planning appropriate solutions. 15. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. Desirable Criteria • Good knowledge and understanding of the higher education environment, nationally and internationally, and the major influences on institutional success. • Preparation of financial statements under US GAAP How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online.We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit • A CV: and • A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Sue Jarvis (susan.jarvisdurham.ac.uk). Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • Oversee and manage professional and regulatory standards and policies relating to activities carried out by the service. • Use your leadership and management expertise to implement any significant changes in the optimal way, in collaboration with other senior managers and specialists. • Lead on the development of new areas of work or activities including scoping, planning and implementing any changes to achieve the outcomes expected by senior colleagues. • Look for innovative ways to continually improve the services provided to your stakeholders. • Develop and implement new or improved policies, processes and standards. • Use your professional knowledge and experience as a qualified accountant and finance specialist to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and to provide subject matter expertise and advice • Support quality and regulatory audits to ensure that system and processes are operating in an optimal and compliant way. • Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders by ensuring that a programme of training and learning activities are deigned and delivered by the service. • Provide specialist insight that enables data driven decisions to be made about the service. Planning and Organisation • Use your expertise to help develop strategic plans and business plans that cover a wide range of operational activities. • Define what needs to be achieved so that other colleagues can scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives. • Ensure your services are performing at the optimal level by setting clear standards and introducing measurable performance indicators. • Use your leadership expertise to help project teams understand what needs to be achieved, solve any problems that are encountered and keep implementation plans on track. • Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources. Leadership and Team Development • Set operational and strategic objectives and use your leadership and management skills, to develop the people in your team(s) and ensure high standards of performance. • Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring your team(s) in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities. • Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members and considering succession plans. • Carry out regular performance reviews with colleagues to provide feedback on objectives and identify any development needs. • Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, taking advice on more complex issues to specialist services or senior managers. Communication/Liaison • Lead internal and external meetings and committees to influence University policy, standards and governance. • Build and lead an influential network of internal and external contacts to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and use that information to improve and develop the service. • Identify opportunities to build relationships with external organisations to support the delivery of strategic level objectives. • Research new approaches being taken by internal and external stakeholders such as professional bodies and other agencies so that you can take these insights into account when developing the service. • Explore options to promote and increase engagement in activities being delivered by your service. • Design and deliver a programme of professional development activities to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs. Useful links If you would like further information you may find the following will help Annual Report and Financial Statements - 7333_DU_Annual_Report_2023_V10b.pdf - All Documents (sharepoint.com) Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.