Head of Financial Accounting and Controls

• Flexible Working Arrangements
• High performing working environment

About Our Client

Founded in 1837, the Royal College of Art is the world's largest community of postgraduate art and design students. It is also the oldest art and design university in continuous operation and has been ranked as the world's number 1 art & design university for a remarkable nine consecutive years, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 - the largest worldwide survey of academic and industry opinion.

The RCA is research-led, and recognised in the UK-wide REF (Research Excellence Framework) as the UK's most research-intensive institution - with an increased proportion of the College's outputs classed as 'internationally excellent' and 'world-leading' in the most recent REF assessment of 2022.

Over 2,700 students are spread across four schools, studying at Graduate Diploma, MA, MPhil, MRes and PhD levels, with plans for this to rise to 3,300 by 2027. The College's mix of professionalism and creative freedom, together with its renowned academic community and rigorous academic framework provides the ecosystem in which students flourish and achieve their highest potential.

Job Description

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance - Financial Operations, Accounting & Control, the Head of Financial Accounting and Control will lead on the day-to-day management of the Finance department's Financial Accounting and Treasury and Investment activities, in support of the strategic and financial objectives of the College.

Your key duties will include:

• Lead on the continuous development of the College's financial regulations and policy framework and associated procedures which ensure compliance.
• Prepare various statutory reports and returns, including annual financial statements, ensuring compliance with the Higher Education SORP, Office for Students (OfS) Regulatory Framework, HMRC, Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other regulatory requirements.
• Manage the Treasury function, including compliance with policies and procedures and development of regular cashflow forecasts. Keeping the College's banking arrangements under review to ensure there are appropriate banking arrangements in place that meet the needs of the College's operating model.
• Working with the College's Investment Managers, ensuring the College's endowment investments are managed effectively and in line with the College's Investment Policy.
• Support the Deputy Director of Finance - Financial Operations, Accounting & Control to ensure all financial processes follow legal and regulatory guidelines and comply with the College's Finance Regulations & policies, and that controls are in place to prevent fraud and non-compliance.
• Support the Deputy Director of Finance - Financial Operations, Accounting & Control to ensure the College meets all tax obligations by preparing and submitting tax returns (e.g., VAT/ Corporation tax) and any other necessary forms. Providing advice on IR35 and other tax legislation, and for more complex tax matters, liaising with the College's tax advisers as appropriate.

The Successful Applicant

You must be a fully qualified accountant with strong communication and leadership skills and the ability to inspire those around you. It is essential that the new incumbent has extensive experience delivering a successful statutory reporting and audit process with strong knowledge within VAT & Tax accounting.

What's on Offer

This is an organisation that has a clear vision and route to achieve its goals, with the financial capability and the ambition to experience significant growth in the coming years. Some experience working in the higher education or for exposure to the education or wider not for profit sector would be beneficial.

The Royal College of Art is an equal opportunities employer. The College particularly welcomes applications from all sections of the community and would particularly encourage members of minority groups to apply.

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

Ref Code: MPFE0320235988349Z