FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT - UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD
STEP INTO A ROLE WITH REAL IMPACT (AND A BIG PAIR OF SHOES TO FILL)

After 37 years of dedicated service, we’re looking for an exceptional Financial Accountant to write the next chapter of our financial reporting story. This isn’t about maintaining the status quo – it’s your chance to bring fresh thinking, technical excellence, and your own leadership style to a well-established function at the University of Huddersfield.

Picture this: You’re working on a vibrant campus buzzing with students, academics shaping the brains of the future, and colleagues who genuinely care about what they do. Yes, you’ll still be working, preparing statutory accounts and managing tax compliance – but you’ll be doing it in an environment where your work directly supports education, innovation, and opportunity.

You’ll be a fully qualified accountant who gets a kick out of technical excellence and loves solving complex financial puzzles. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance, you’ll own our statutory reporting, lead our tax strategy, oversee subsidiary companies, and be the trusted expert everyone turns to when things get complicated.

This role isn’t just number-crunching in a back office. You’ll be leading a team, partnering with external auditors, advising colleagues across the institution, and playing a pivotal role in our financial governance. You’ll have real autonomy, genuine responsibility, and the satisfaction of knowing your expertise matters.

WHAT YOU’LL ACTUALLY BE DOING
*Own the big stuff – Lead our annual Financial Statements under UK GAAP (FRS 102), OfS Accounts Direction and FEHE SORP. This is your show.
*Be the tax go-to – Manage VAT, Corporation Tax and employment taxes while providing expert guidance across the University on everything from international tax to commercial activity VAT treatments
*Manage the audit process – Be our day-to-day contact with external auditors, coordinate year-end working papers, and keep everything running smoothly
*Oversee our subsidiaries – Ensure robust reporting and governance across our subsidiary companies and joint ventures
*Keep the cash flowing – Manage treasury operations including daily cash positions, forecasting, and banking relationships
*Champion compliance – Ensure we’re meeting all regulatory requirements while continuously improving our processes
*Lead your team – Provide direction and support to the Assistant Financial Accountant and Treasury Accountant, helping them develop and succeed
*Drive improvement – Spot opportunities to enhance our systems, controls and ways of working
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
*A competitive Grade 8 salary - £46,461 – 58,766 that reflects the expertise and responsibility this role demands
*Generous University pension scheme (because your future matters too)
*Excellent annual leave including bank holidays and the glorious Christmas closure
*Professional development support including Chartered Management Institute membership
*Work on a lively campus with actual energy (not a soulless office park)
*Access to sports facilities, campus amenities
*Health Shield benefits package
*Childcare vouchers for those juggling family life
*Travel perks: Metrocard discount, season ticket loans
*Affordable parking at around £4 per day
*A modern working environment in Huddersfield town centre with excellent transport links
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
*The qualifications – ACMA, ACCA, ACA or similar, with current technical knowledge – you enjoy finding out about the latest changes to SORP
*Real experience – Substantial financial accounting background working with large/complex organisations with group structures
*Technical Know-How – Strong FRS 102 knowledge, ideally with FEHE SORP and OfS Accounts Direction experience
*Tax expertise – Solid working knowledge of VAT and Corporation Tax
*Audit experience – You’ve worked closely with external auditors and know how to manage that relationship
*Leadership skills – Line management experience and the ability to develop your team
*Stakeholder savvy – You can influence senior people and build strong relationships across different areas
*Digital mindset – Strong IT skills and enthusiasm for championing a "digital first" approach
WHAT TO DO NEXT
Get in touch with Lucy Rider for an honest conversation about the role, the team, and whether this could be your next career move.

KEY DATES:
*Closing date - Monday 9th March 2026
*Shortlisting date - Wednesday 11th March 2026
*Interview date - Wednesday 25th March 2026
*Start date - as soon as possible, but notice periods can be accommodated