The University of Warwick have an exciting opportunity for a Management Account to join our Research Finance Department.
The Universities Research Finance Office supports Academics with the financial aspects of their research projects, ensuring research income is maximised and to create the long-term sustainable financial platform required for future planned research growth. The Universities aspiration is to lead and support change in the world. With plans to expand world leading research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics most significantly.
Supporting the Head of Finance (Research) and the Research Finance Managers you will be responsible for key aspects of monthly reporting within Research Finance, managing a portfolio of high priority externally funded research projects, developing procedures and systems, providing flexible cover for Finance Managers/Senior Research Finance Assistants, managing audits, supervising a small team, and inducting new staff.
Research Finance are responsible for the financial management of the University increasing research portfolio. This comprises of over 2,200 live projects, generating over £130m of research income per year.
Please note that a £2,000 per annum market supplement is available for the successful applicant on provision of proof of evidence you hold the appropriate accountancy qualifications.
Duties and Responsibilities
* Lead on the month end routines including preparing journals, calculating provisions, and assisting with report writing.
* Manage a portfolio of high priority complex projects which involves the set-up of projects, ensuring compliance with complex funder rules, supporting Academics and Project Managers, completing financial claims, and ensuring deadlines are met.
* Completing central checks to ensure all deadlines are met on time.
* Developing systems and processes to ensure the team are working most efficiently.
* Optimising our key KPI’s by ensuring projects are set up and closed in a timely manner.
* Ensuring income is recognised in the accounts in line with FRS102 requirements.
* Reviewing material variances to encourage budget utilisation and to remove any overspends.
* Ensuring project master data is accurate, e.g., VAT classifications.
* Assisting with external funder and year end audits
* Ensuring claims and invoices are paid in a timely manner, resolving any funder disputes or queries.
* Managing a small team, delivering training, and inducting new starters.
* Managing ad-hoc one-off projects.
Skills and experience.
You will be a fully qualified accountant, with experience in financial management, building financial models in Excel, and collaborating with stakeholders. Staff management skills are desirable.
You will be an achiever and a team player, with the ability to solve complex problems, to continually consider process improvements, analyse numerical data ensuring a high level of accuracy, with excellent management, organisational and communication skills, and be customer-focused providing an efficient and professional service.
The post-holder will be expected to possess and/or develop an understanding and expertise across a range of different research funders, with the ability to manage competing priorities and ensure reporting deadlines are met on time. You will actively project manage a portfolio of higher risk projects, and develop good working relationships with Departmental staff, liaising with them to maximise research income.
You’ll be required to work independently, offer excellent service provision and be confident to make key decisions. You’ll be required to interpret contracts, funder rules and resolve complex queries.