Senior Financial Analyst
Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 1st October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Scottish Funding Council is Scotland’s tertiary education and research authority. Our ambition is to make Scotland an outstanding place to learn, educate, research, and innovate – now and for the future. So, naturally, we have a clear focus on recruiting the best people and developing them throughout their career. We invest around £2 billion every year, and our funding enables colleges and universities to provide life-changing opportunities for over half a million people. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but also people who will connect with our guiding principles which include working in partnership, championing diversity, and supporting sustainability for future generations. By fostering our guiding principles, we are very proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. We are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds: we want our colleague base to reflect the people and communities that we serve.
We are seeking a Senior Financial Analyst to work individually and as part of the Governance, Infrastructure and Sustainabilty team (GIST), to carry out effective review and analysis of the financial health and governance of an allocated portfolio of institutions. To provide advice and support on financial, governance and wider policy matters to the sectors, Scottish Government and other internal and external stakeholders.
Sifting will take place on 4 October 2024.
Interviews will take place in week commencing 14 October 2024.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
1. Effectively manage workload arising from an allocated portfolio of institutions and designated lead specialism(s).
2. Undertake effective review and analysis of financial health for an allocated portfolio of institutions in full compliance with professional accountancy principles and practices (Statement of Recommended Practice etc.), SFC policy and strategy, and Scottish Government financial guidance (e.g. the Scottish Public Finance Manual). This includes, as necessary, seeking expert external advice from specialists – e.g. legal advisors – to help inform recommendations and proposed actions.
3.Draft concise and impactful reports and provide any other appropriate information in a timely manner to the Executive Team, SFC Board, Council and its committees, on the financial health and governance of an allocated portfolio of institutions. This is to inform SFC operations and ensure that the Council and key stakeholders are aware of the developing landscape of the sectors, including any specific concerns.
4. Provide authoritative financial and governance advice to SFC, the sectors, and the Scottish Government . Share and promote good practice, for example, in relation to: college severance guidance; disposals of assets which have been paid for with money from the taxpayer; adherence to FE/HE governance codes; and the interpretation of government accounting and budgetary guidance.
5. Through developing a business partnering approach, build strong relationships with institutions and support them in their effective financial management, long-term financial planning, budgeting and forecasting. This also includes:
- supporting and challenging institutions’ financial business cases and investment appraisals.
- working with SFC colleagues (particularly the Access, Learning & Outcomes team) to support institutions in finding solutions to complex business issues.
- deepening our capacity for explanation and analysis to enhance our understanding of institutions and options available for the future.
6. Keep up to date on changes in technical accounting developments covering UK accounting as well as auditing standards and governance codes; also represent SFC in technical accounting meetings with institutions, other UK funding bodies, auditors and other key stakeholders.
7. Represent SFC in negotiations and discussions with external bodies on matters concerning sector financial health and governance, in relation to the allocated portfolio of institutions.
Person specification
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
Essential:
- Fully qualified accountant (CCBA or equivalent).
- Good understanding of business analysis, planning, budgeting, audit and financial and non-financial control issues.
- Understanding of the Scottish and UK Government budgeting and accounting requirements and guidance.
- Understanding of technical accounting issues, with up-to-date knowledge of UK accounting and auditing standards and governance codes.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills - ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex financial and governance issues to those with a non-financial background.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Diligent and organised to manage self and to contribute to the work of team to meet changing organisational priorities.
- Excellent people skills and track record in forming and maintaining effective working relationships with staff across a wide range of stakeholders including education institutions and government bodies.
- Excellent numeracy skills.
- Able to establish and maintain good relationships with networks of key contacts both internally and externally.
- Proficient in desk-top software packages particularly Advanced Excel skills.
Desirable:
- Understanding of current governance, leadership and management (including financial management) and other relevant issues in further and higher education.
- Experience in, and management of, business analysis, finance, and financial and management systems.
- Sufficient post qualification experience to demonstrate the necessary level of understanding and professional judgement required for the role
- Good understanding of operational practices in finance departments.
- Understanding of Government budgeting and accounting requirements and guidance.
- Comprehensive understanding of public sector and the role of an NDPB.
- Knowledge of education institutions.
- Knowledge of current employment law and procurement issues.
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development and its application in the workplace.
- Previous experience of finance business partnering.
Benefits
- · Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi-time system is in operation.
· Annual leave entitlement of 26.5 days per annum, rising to 30 days pro-rata after 2 years’ continuous service. Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata.
· A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues.
· Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.
· Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. With its low member contribution rates and generous employer contributions, this gives you a secure, inflation-proof pension for life with no investment uncertainty. Details of contribution rates together with further details of the pension benefits are available on the Civil Service Pensions website. There is also the option of a Partnership pension account.
· Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development. Civil Service-Learning curriculum has thoughtfully designed to cater to various learning preferences, allowing employees to engage in a manner that best suits their needs. All our educational resources are conveniently accessible through the CSL website.
· Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Special Leave (paid and unpaid), a contribution to learning outside work through our Lifelong Learning Fund, free winter flu vaccination, and access to occupational health support.
· We provide support to SFC employees with Volunteering Days.
· Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
SFC is a friendly welcoming team and we believe we are at our best when our work is informed by different perspectives. We are therefore keen to receive applications from talented individuals from all walks of life. Applications from candidates with disabilities and those from minority ethnic communities are encouraged, as are those from candidates who have skills in Scottish Gaelic or British Sign Language.
This role is currently based in our Edinburgh office in Haymarket, although we offer hybrid working which means you will be able to work at home as well as spending some time at the office. We also understand the value of flexible working and we will be happy to consider flexible working arrangements for these positions.
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the essential criteria listed in our job profile. We use a competency-based approach in our recruitment process and we may ask candidates to provide an interview presentation to allow them to highlight their skills and analytical thinking.
Additional information
SFC is an accredited Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB) funded by the Scottish Government. Our employees are public servants rather than civil servants. Whilst we follow civil service recruitment principles and our staff can join the Civil Service pension arrangements we operate as a distinct body governed by a code of conduct based on those NDPBs. Civil servants who apply to join us should be aware that unless the arrangements are agreed as a secondment, they are likely to have to resign from the Civil Service.
Please note that SFC does not offer sponsorships. All candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
Candidates applying for vacancies do not need to undertake the Civil Service basic personal security standard checks, though normal referencing will be carried out for successful candidates who will also be required to apply for a Disclosure Scotland certificate. There is also a requirement to meet UK right-to-work requirements to be eligible to work at SFC.
View Scottish Funding Council's website at www.sfc.ac.uk. All data relating to an individual’s application will be treated / processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. Our privacy notice relating to this can be viewed on our website.
Please ignore the following paragraphs relating to Security and Working for the Civil Service.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Human Resources Recruitment Team
- Email : recruitment@sfc.ac.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@sfc.ac.uk
