Maintenance Accountant

at  University of Glasgow

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Head of Project Accounting and working closely with key Estates Staff (Directors, Budget Holders, Contracts Team), play a pivotal role in the provision of comprehensive, effective and efficient project financial management support and direction to the leadership team and project management team.
Ensure the provision of professional, effective and solutions focused finance services aligned to the achievement of the University’s Estates Strategy.
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. Provide effective financial and commercial support to key maintenance contract work e.g. CBRE contract.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. This role is expected to lead for Estates Finance in areas of maintenance. Provide expert financial advice, guidance and challenge to budget holders, including developing robust financial appraisals/reviews, leading regular project forecast activity and producing robust project financial reports and analyses together with expert recommendations on key areas of focus.
2. As a key member of the finance team lead by example and motivate, ensuring behaviours and attitudes reflect University 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.
3. Provide timely management information for both strategic and operational purposes, including strategic financial planning, financial governance and control, budgeting, forecasting, monitoring and reporting.
4. Work with the Head of Project Accounting to manage the financial management of the key maintenance contracts / projects and a variety of lower value capital projects 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.
5. Assist the Head of Project Accounting to develop and implement a capital project financial governance structure and associated processes and procedures, ensuring alignment with the University’s corporate financial processes and that the evolving needs of a continuously growing and developing campus estate are met.
6. 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.
7. Play a key 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.
8. 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.
9. 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 (University Services) to ensure all parties have access, ensuring a “no surprises” culture.
10. Support the Head of Project Accounting 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.
11. Promote financial awareness and a culture of financial accountability across the Estates department to ensure financial sustainability is central to all business activities.
12. Act as a contact in relation to internal audit and procurement matters, ensuring compliance with all legislative, best practice and University corporate financial requirements and procedures.
13. Work with the University’s Procurement team to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements in relation to the procurement of contractors.
14. Participate fully in the work and activities of the University-wide finance community and contribute to the development of University wide finance solutions, working with finance colleagues in University Services, Central Finance and across the Colleges.
15. Work closely with the central university 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.
16. Engagement with Key Business Partners associated with the Maintenance Project Accountant i.e. Business Hub Team, Project Managers, Accounts Payable Team, Project Accounting Team.