Management Accountant

Based at our Buckley Building (Headington Campus) and reporting to the Head of Management Accounts, the Management Accountant is a pivotal role within our Finance Directorate. This is a 6-month temporary position designed for a data-driven professional who excels at transforming complex financial information into actionable insight.

You will be responsible for the integrity of our management accounting processes, ensuring that our cost centres are rationalised and that our financial reporting is both precise and strategically aligned. This role requires a blend of technical mastery in Excel and the commercial acumen to challenge and support budget holders across the University.

Due to operational need, and the short duration of the contract, the interview panel are looking for a candidate available for immediate start, and candidates will therefore be required to have existing RTW in the UK.

The Finance and Legal Services Directorate is a central pillar of the University’s operational success. Our Management Accounting team acts as a bridge between the numbers and the people, working closely with Faculty Heads and Senior Management to ensure financial sustainability. We are currently focused on enhancing our reporting automation and improving financial awareness across the institution, offering a collaborative environment for someone who enjoys process improvement and technical problem-solving.

What will I be doing?

• Advanced Data Handling: Developing and maintaining complex financial models to monitor the performance of Faculties, Directorates, and individual projects.
• Cost Centre Rationalisation: Analysing spend breakdowns and trend reporting to ensure resources are deployed effectively and cost-improvement projects are tracked accurately.
• Financial Analysis: Preparing accurate monthly reports, providing deep-dive variance analysis, and offering insight to "challenge" forecasts in collaboration with Senior Management Accountants.
• Statutory Compliance: Ensuring all financial positions are submitted in line with HE SORP and FRS 102 standards, maintaining high levels of accuracy for internal and external audits.
• Team Supervision: Providing task-based guidance and mentoring to Assistant Management Accountants and Officers.

What skills do I need?

• Advanced Excel & Data Handling: You must be highly proficient in Excel, with the ability to handle large datasets, create complex formulas, and build robust financial models.
• Financial Analysis & Rationalisation: Proven experience in variance analysis, trend identification, and the ability to rationalise cost centres to improve financial clarity.
• Process Improvement: A proactive approach to identifying system inefficiencies and implementing improvements in financial reporting and budgeting workflows.
• Qualifications: CCAB or equivalent part-qualified status, or significant experience in a management accounting role.

This role is Agile, typically requiring a 50/50 split between home and office working to ensure team collaboration while supporting your work-life balance.

As an Oxford Brookes employee you will enjoy a total of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx 5 per year).

We have an extremely competitive Local Government pension scheme with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate.

At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.

As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.