Deputy Head of Management Reporting

**Job Purpose**

Reporting to the Head of Management Accounts, this senior role is responsible for the strategic and operational management and development of the central Management Accounting team in delivering an efficient, effective and quality financial service to all stakeholders.

Working closely with the Head of Management Accounts and the Director/ Deputy Director of Finance the role holder will provide comprehensive, effective and efficient financial management, governance, support, challenge and direction. They will contribute as a senior manager to ensure the provision of a strategic, professional and effective solution focused finance services which is aligned to the achievement of the University's Finance Strategy.

The role will provide high quality technical support through insightful analysis and issue resolution and continuously improve processes and procedures to support efficient and effective operations within a strong internal control environment.

The role will have responsibility for one direct report and 3 indirect reports and will also require the building of strong working relationships with business partners and senior leaders across the University.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**

1. Lead the finance input contributing to the delivery of an effective budgeting and planning process across the University.

The role holder will work with the Vice Principal (Strategy & Resources) and the Head of Planning to agree the annual timetable and underlying assumptions to be used in preparation of the University's three year budgets. The role holder will define the financial budgeting templates required from the College Finance teams and will provide appropriate training and guidance. The role holder will ensure that key milestones are delivered and will consolidate the budget inputs for review with the Finance Office Directorate ahead of meetings with key members of the Senior Management Group. The role holder will also take the lead in producing the financial budget papers for meetings with the Vice Principal Strategy and Resources, the Director of Finance, the Principal and Finance Committee.

2. Provide an effective, efficient and consistent financial management reporting service across the University

The role holder will co-ordinate all month-end activity across the University, including timetabling, transaction processing, provision of standard reports to the College Finance teams and definition of the inputs required from the College Finance teams.

The role holder will also consolidate, review and challenge the monthly results and forecasts and prepare the monthly reporting pack for review with the Finance Office Directorate, ahead of publishing to Senior Management Group.

The role holder will also ensure that specific balance sheet reconciliations are performed, in liaison with the Financial Accountant.

The role holder will also be expected to continually review the University's financial reporting and identify opportunities for enhancing the information provision whilst improving the efficiency and automation of the report preparation.

3. Work Planning & Organisation

Work with the Head of Management Accounts to review all work activity within the management accounting team to identify work to stop, start, continue and to assign tasks across the team in a way that ensures the most effective task delivery and development of the team's skill sets.

Be responsible for the ongoing planning of staff activity within the team, ensuring all planning takes account of set deadlines and potentially conflicting work pressures.

4. Expert Analysis

To provide direct support to the Director/ Deputy Director of Finance for ad hoc requests and expert analysis required to support decision making and the development of strategy.

This will include sourcing, analysing and evaluating financial information from across the University, using insight and expertise to draw conclusions and make recommendations.

Present findings and recommendations to inform and support strategic decision making at Senior Management Group, Finance Committee, Court and to external stakeholders.

5. Process efficiency and effectiveness

The role holder will be expected to optimise the service that the management accounting team provide to the College Finance teams and remove duplication and wasted effort.

They will have a clear understanding of the needs of the customer base and will work to provide an effective service level delivery. In doing so they will be expected to work closely with College Finance staff and Financial Accounting staff to ensure that management reporting and the underlying data integrity and processing is delivered in a controlled, effective and efficient manner utilising a standard corporate process..

6. Audit

Act as a key contact in relation to internal and external audit ensuring compliance with all legislative, best practice and University corporate financial requirements and procedures.