Group Financial Controller at The University of Edinburgh

The Opportunity:

The Group Financial Controller is responsible for the leadership, integrity and effectiveness of the University’s financial accounting, external reporting, and control environment across the group. The postholder reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is part of the senior leadership team within the portfolio.

The role ensures full statutory compliance, high-quality financial reporting, robust internal controls, and consistent application of financial policies and regulations across all parts of the University, including subsidiaries.

The postholder will provide authoritative technical accounting advice, maintain strong audit relationships, and support the University’s strategic and operational decision-making by ensuring the reliability and timeliness of financial information.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Fully Qualified CCAB accountant with experience commensurate with the seniority of the role. Desirable to have training or certification in risk management, internal controls frameworks or audit.
• Experience with large ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Workday) and financial reporting tools.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in financial reporting, audit or financial controls.
• Strong knowledge and experience of financial accounting principles, consolidation, and group reporting.
• Proven experience of preparing annual financial statements and leading statutory reporting cycles.
• Deep understanding of internal financial controls, risk management practices, and assurance frameworks.
• Familiarity with tax compliance obligations relevant to large organisations.
• Knowledge of audit processes (internal and external) and audit standards, and experience of managing internal and external audits.
• Understanding of financial regulations, policy frameworks, and delegated authorities, and experience of implementing them.
• Ability to design and implement robust financial processes and controls.
• Process improvement and change management capability
• Highly developed analytical and technical accounting skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate it clearly to non-finance professionals.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working with senior leaders within and outside UoE.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, support and develop high performing teams.
• Sound judgement and decision making, particularly in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Ability to balance technical rigour with pragmatic decision-making.
• Collaborative and approachable, with a commitment to develop positive working relationships.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving financial environment with wide-ranging responsibilities.