Operational Accountant at Heriot-Watt University

City of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Jun, 26

Salary

58225.0

Posted On

18 Mar, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Operational Finance, Financial Controls, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Banking, Balance Sheet Reconciliations, Excel, Data Analysis, Month-End Close, Year-End Close, Financial Reporting, Process Improvement, Stakeholder Engagement, Audit Support, Financial Systems

Industry

Architecture and Planning

Description

Job Title: Operational Accountant Department: Finance Contract: Full time, Fixed Term contract 3-6 months Grade and Salary: £47,389- £58,225 Location: Hybrid – 60/40 between campus and home based Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University Role Purpose We are looking for a detail driven Operational Accountant to join our busy Finance Department. The Operational Accountant will play a key role in strengthening and overseeing the University’s core financial operations. Reporting directly to the Financial Controller, the postholder will support the design, implementation and ongoing operation of robust financial controls across all operational accounting teams including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Banking, ensuring compliance with University policies, sector regulations and best practice. This role will also contribute to the preparation & review of accurate and timely reconciliations, process improvement initiatives and the provision of high-quality financial information to support effective decision‑making. Key Responsibilities Financial Controls & Operations * Support the Financial Controller in overseeing and enhancing financial controls across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Banking processes. * Assist with the implementation, documentation and monitoring of financial control frameworks to ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations. * Identify control weaknesses and inefficiencies, recommending and helping to implement improvements. Accounts Payable, Receivable & Banking * Provide operational oversight and support for day‑to‑day AP and AR activities, ensuring transactions are processed accurately and in a timely manner. * Assist with banking activities including cash management, bank reconciliations and liaison with banking partners. * Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and adherence to processes, controls & approval limits. Reconciliations & Reporting * Prepare and review key balance sheet reconciliations. * Investigate and resolve reconciling items promptly, escalating issues where necessary. * Contribute to month‑end and year‑end close processes, ensuring high standards of accuracy and completeness. Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement * Use advanced Excel skills to analyse financial data, support reconciliations and improve reporting efficiency. * Support finance system enhancements, upgrades or process automation initiatives. * Contribute to continuous improvement projects within the Finance function, promoting best practice and efficiency. Stakeholder Engagement * Work closely with Finance colleagues and wider University stakeholders to provide operational finance support and guidance. * Support internal and external audit processes by providing documentation, explanations and analysis as required. Ad Hoc Duties * Any other ad hoc duties in relation to the operational finance needs or for the benefit of the wider finance department. Person Specification Essential Criteria * Qualified accountant (e.g. ICAS, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent). * Strong experience in operational finance, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and banking processes. * Demonstrable experience of preparing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations. * Excellent Excel skills, including the use of formulas, pivot tables and data analysis techniques. * Strong understanding of financial controls and governance within a complex organisation. * High level of accuracy and attention to detail. * Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with both finance and non‑finance colleagues. Desirable Criteria * Experience working within the higher education or public sector. * Experience of financial systems implementation or process improvement projects. Additional Information The University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements may be available in line with University policy. About Heriot-Watt University At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community. How to Apply  Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.  Applications must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday 25th March 2026. At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.  Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.   Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.   Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm [https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm] and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ [https://disc.hw.ac.uk/]  We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Responsibilities

The Operational Accountant will oversee and enhance financial controls across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Banking processes, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations. This role also involves preparing and reviewing key balance sheet reconciliations and contributing to continuous improvement projects within the Finance function.