Head of Financial Accounting

The Role and the Department

The Head of Financial Accounting is a pivotal senior leadership role within the Finance Department, reporting directly to the Director of Finance and playing a critical part in safeguarding the University's financial integrity, regulatory compliance and reputation.

As the University's lead technical accounting expert, the postholder is responsible for leading the Financial Accounting function, encompassing financial reporting, treasury and cash management, balance sheet oversight, financial controls and the management of the external audit relationship. The role is fundamental to maintaining a robust financial control environment and ensuring compliance with all relevant accounting standards, regulatory requirements, governance obligations and sector-specific reporting frameworks.

As a member of the Finance Department Senior Leadership Team, the postholder provides strategic advice and expert guidance on complex accounting, financial governance and compliance matters, helping to support informed decision-making and effective risk management across the institution.

The role is particularly important in a period of increasing regulatory scrutiny and significant change within the higher education sector. The postholder will lead the University's response to evolving accounting and reporting requirements, ensuring the continued integrity, accuracy and timeliness of financial information used for statutory reporting, regulatory submissions, management decision-making and external stakeholder assurance.

This is a highly influential and business-critical role with significant responsibility for protecting the University's financial standing, supporting organisational success and ensuring confidence in its financial management and reporting.

The role offers hybrid working with a minimum of 40% office based per week however may increase to meet business needs, eg month end, audit etc.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub.Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage.