Job Purpose

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the University’s fixed asset module and balance sheet, for leading the preparation of accurate, timely and compliant financial statements and additional external reporting requirements and for ensuring adherence to all Higher Education specific financial reporting requirements.

This role acts as a primary point of contact for external auditors throughout the year, acts as a technical expert for stakeholders across Finance and the wider business on all financial accounting matters and drives continuous improvement in financial reporting systems, processes and controls.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

University’s fixed asset module

• Manage the full lifecycle of assets in the fixed asset module: capitalisation, depreciation, disposals, transfers and impairment.
• Prepare and post journal entries for capital transactions during month-end and year-end close and complete monthly reconciliations between the general ledger and fixed asset module, ensuring that reconciling items are followed up and brought to resolution.
• Maintain an accurate fixed asset register and ensure compliance with GAAP and internal policies.
• Maintain documentation for all capital transactions for compliance purposes.
• Facilitate external audit with schedules and documentation.
• Plan and manage physical verification exercises.
• Evaluate existing processes and controls for capital accounting and identify, implement and evaluate improvements to improve efficiency and instil a best practice control environment.

Balance sheet reconciliations

• Develop and maintain risk-based review procedures and checklists for central balance sheet reconciliation reviews.
• Perform regular central reviews of balance sheet reconciliations across all functions to verify that reconciliations are accurate, complete and prepared in accordance with University policies and accounting standards.
• Assess adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls related to reconciliation processes.
• Investigate discrepancies/root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare detailed reports setting out findings from the central reviews of balance sheet reconciliations highlighting key metrics, findings, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Provide training and guidance to finance staff on best practices for reconciliations.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Lead on the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements for the University, ensuring accuracy, completeness and compliance with UK GAAP and US GAAP as applicable.
• Ensure all reporting complies with internal accounting policies, external regulations, and evolving financial reporting standards.

Audit & External Stakeholder Management

*          Lead on the University’s year-end close and external audit process from planning through to completion, acting as the primary day-to-day contact for external auditors.

*          Manage the preparation of audit documentation across Finance, ensuring timely responses to audit queries and resolution of issues.

*          Prepare papers relating to year end and other financial accounting matters for submission to Audit & Risk Committee, Finance Committee and Court meetings.

Technical Accounting

*         Prepare authoritative guidance on new accounting standards and in the assessment of impact.

*         Lead on the assessment and implementation of complex accounting treatments for restructurings, financing arrangements and other strategic transactions.

*         Prepare technical accounting papers for internal governance and external audit reviews.

Transformation & Systems

• Involvement as required on financial reporting system initiatives, including contribution to the implementation of the new Finance system (Project Sierra).

Knowledge/Qualifications, Skills, Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 CA/ACA/ACCA qualified with post qualifying experience commensurate to this level of role within a financial reporting function.

A2 Ordinary/Honours Degree (SCQF Level 9, 10 or 11) or equivalent.

A3 Strong up to date knowledge of the technical accounting environment in the UK.

A4 Strong technical accounting knowledge.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent planning and organisational skills.

C2 Ability to prioritise workload to deliver to tight deadlines and manage competing demands from various stakeholders.

C3 Ability to identify control weaknesses and recommend and implement solutions to resolve these areas.

C4 Ability to apply intellectual rigour and analytical insight to support qualitative decision-making.

C5 Highly effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to challenge assumptions and practices with diplomacy.

C6 An ability to demystify complex financial concepts for non-financial colleagues.

C7 Resilient and able to effectively deal with ambiguity and able to maintain momentum in the face of obstacles/setbacks.

C8 Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word, Visio, PowerPoint and accounting software packages.

C9 Strong attention to detail.

C10Team working skills.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Significant professional experience as a qualified accountant.

E2 Experience of a complex organisation with a large volume of transactions.

E3 Experience of UK GAAP and producing/auditing statutory financial statements.

E4 Experience of documenting procedures and financial controls and implementing process improvements.

E5 Experience of working to tight deadlines.

E6 Demonstrable experience of continued professional development.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of preparing US GAAP Financial Statements.

F2 Experience of lease accounting.

 
Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 - £58,225 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1. A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3. A flexible approach to working.

4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Vacancy reference number: 192313

Closing date: 12 March 2026 at 23:45