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Membership of a recognised CCAB accounting professional body
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Strong evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role
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Demonstrable experience in a similar senior project accounting role
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Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, budgets and forecasts
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Good working knowledge of VAT and its application in large capital projects
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Excellent leadership and management skills
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High level influencing and interpersonal skills, able to quickly build credibility and deliver impact at all levels
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Ability to constructively challenge the status quo, influence change and present arguments based on sound professional judgement and expertise
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Strong commercial awareness with a clear understanding of key business drivers and the ability to quickly understand the strategic corporate agenda in order to work effectively in partnership with senior managers
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Well-developed report writing and presentation skills with the ability to present and translate comprehensive and often complex information and financial concepts for non-financial colleagues
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Advanced skills in the use of industry standard and specialist financial and accounting software packages
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Substantial post-qualification financial and management accounting experience with a proven track record in in leading and managing the financial planning, reporting and governance on large capital projects within a large complex environment
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Demonstrable experience of working with and influencing across all levels of an organisation including senior management operating in a political or highly complex environment – providing direction, delivering results, building on relationships and capability and demonstrating personal resilience
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Proven experience of building robust business cases with non-financial professionals and presenting these at board level
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Provide expert financial advice, guidance and challenge to major strategic project managers, including developing robust financial appraisals, leading regular project forecast activity and producing robust project financial reports and analyses together with expert recommendations on key areas of focus.
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As a key member of the finance team lead by example, motivate and assist in the development of the finance team, ensuring behaviours and attitudes reflect company values. In doing so promote a continuous improvement approach, ensuring appropriate professional standards and demonstrate a culture of ownership and accountability to ensure the delivery of excellent services.
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Provide timely management information for both strategic and operational purposes, including strategic financial planning, financial governance and control, budgeting, forecasting, monitoring and reporting.
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Work with the Head of Finance, Estates & Commercial Services to oversee the major capital projects (£50m to £90m) within the Capital Plan, ensuring early identification of any deviance from budget, the preparation of impact analyses and reports on revenue/capital cash-flow planning, and providing expert support on appropriate risk management plans.
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Assist the Head of Finance, Estates & Commercial Services to develop and implement a capital project financial governance structure and associated processes and procedures, ensuring alignment with the company’s corporate financial processes and that the evolving needs of a continuously growing and developing campus estate are met.
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Continuously develop the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of financial reports, management information and the financial tools and templates associated with costing, business evaluation, cash flow planning and financial risk management.
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Play a lead role in the development of options appraisals and business plans/business cases in respect of estate development and redevelopment strategies and a multi-million pound capital programme, providing robust financial challenge and ensuring that all business cases progressed withstand scrutiny and contain measurable delivery criteria.
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Attend project boards as required, preparing detailed business cases and other analyses for senior management, challenging and testing the data provided and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of reports. Actively contribute to all relevant project meetings and working groups.
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Provide appropriate input to the monthly management accounts, commentaries and monthly financial performance indicators, providing the necessary reports and information to the Estates Leadership Team and Head of Finance to ensure all parties have access.
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Support the Head of Finance, Estates & Commercial Services in an on-going programme of review of capital project financial management, reporting and governance processes, ensuring recommendations for continuous improvement are reported, considered, implemented and measured.
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Promote financial awareness and a culture of financial accountability across the department to ensure financial sustainability is central to all business activities.
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Provide expert intelligence and advice on internal and external financial influences, strategic funding issues and opportunities which arise.
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Act as a key contact in relation to internal audit and procurement matters, ensuring compliance with all legislative, best practice and company corporate financial requirements and procedures.
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Work with the Head of Procurement to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements in relation to the procurement of contractors.
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Work closely with the finance function to ensure all policies and procedures are complied with and transactional support is delivered in an effective and efficient manner utilising the appropriate corporate system and process and all staff comply with the inherent financial controls.