Head of Financial Accounting and Group Reporting

INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY: This is a Grade 12, Band 1 position, salary commensurate with experience and in accordance with both internal relativities and the University's promotions policy, subject to the appropriate approval process.

The University of Cambridge is seeking to appoint a dynamic and forward-thinking Head of Financial Accounting and Group Reporting to lead our Central Accounting and Group Reporting functions, ensuring excellence, integrity and strategic impact across a diverse and complex financial landscape.

As a key member of the Finance leadership team, you will drive transformation, strengthen financial governance, and provide insightful reporting that underpins decision making at the highest levels of the University.

The Role

In this pivotal role, you will provide strategic leadership to the Central Accounting and Group Reporting team, ensuring high quality, timely and compliant delivery across all statutory, regulatory and internal financial reporting requirements. You will play a critical role in shaping the financial controls, frameworks and policies across the Academic University, and support a wide range of stakeholders through expert guidance, clear financial insights and strong partnership.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the team and ensure delivery of all core reporting, month end, year end and audit requirements.
• Produce Group statutory accounts, monthly management accounts, and five year financial projections. Coordinate submission to the OfS and London Stock Exchange.
• Develop and maintain financial policies, regulations, and robust balance sheet controls.
• Oversee technical accounting, ensuring compliance with evolving standards.
• Support Research Office accounting and contribute to the grants assurance framework.
• Manage external audits and present to key governance committees.
• Lead the development and delivery of financial training and guidance for the wider finance community.

Your Skills

You will be a seasoned financial leader with:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in financial accounting, group reporting, and technical accounting within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proven ability to lead teams through change and transformation.
• Outstanding communication skills, with confidence engaging senior leaders, committees and external stakeholders.

Benefits

The University offers an excellent benefit package including:

• 41 / 36 days annual leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays
• Defined benefits pension schemes
• Flexible working options
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Discounts on shopping
• Rental deposit scheme
• Public transport season ticket loans
• Tax-efficient bicycle and charity-giving schemes

Location

The University is supportive of hybrid working, where some work is undertaken on University premises and some in a remote working environment. The aim of our approach is to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish and where their role allows. This arrangement is subject to change and will not form a part of the contractual terms of the role.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure and a security check. We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

If you would like more information about this role, informal enquiries can be directed by email to lucy.harney@admin.cam.ac.uk

If you have any questions the application process, please contact a Recruitment Administrator at Finhr_recruitment@admin.cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 26 February 2026. The interviews are planned for early March.

Please quote reference AG48613 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Key information

Department/location

Finance Division

Salary

See job description for details

Reference

AG48613

Category

Academic-related

Date published

10 February 2026

Closing date

26 February 2026