Finance Manager

As part of the Finance and Funding Team, the post holder will support the management of an efficient and effective Finance Function in Glasgow Kelvin College. 

Specifically, the post holder will supervise and manage staff carrying out the sales and purchasing functions and establish and supervise processes and procedures which ensure the College has a responsive and efficient Finance Function. This will include ensuring that all procedures are adhered to, that the College collects all income it is due, that payments are made timeously to staff and suppliers, that all Student Funds are distributed timeously and in accordance with the issued guidelines, that stakeholder requirements are met in a timeous manner, and appropriate controls and segregation of duties are maintained. 

The post remit will also include support in preparation of the annual budget, management accounting, budget monitoring, financial reporting, annual accounts and support for all aspects of transaction processing within the College.

Key Responsibilities

Staff Management/Training

• manage the Finance and Funding Assistants working in sales and purchasing within the Finance Function;
• develop the skills of managed staff through identification of training and development needs within the College’s Professional Development Review process;
• identify and implement continuous improvements to all of the services provided by the Finance Function;

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• assist in preparation of, and consultation with budget holders on, the management accounts and annual budget for Glasgow Kelvin College and reporting to the Financial Control Committee and Audit and Risk Committee;
• assist in the preparation of regular financial forecasts, financial resource returns and other financial planning information and returns which may be required by stakeholders such as the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator;
• assist in the preparation of new project and programme costings;
• assist in the development and implementation of robust management accounting processes and procedures which meet the information needs of the Board of Management, its Standing Committees the College’s Strategic Managers and the Scottish Funding Council;
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports or complete project work in pursuit of the financial objectives of the College as requested by the Senior Accountant and Head of Finance; and Deputise for the Senior Accountant and Head of Finance as and when required.

Annual Accounts/Audit

• assist in preparation of the College annual accounts and facilitation of the annual audit in compliance with current professional accounting standards;
• assist with both internal and external audits providing management response and implementing recommendations made by auditors as appropriate;

Systems

• support the Systems & Management Accountant as an expert user of the College’s electronic finance system and provide assistance and training to staff in its operation;
• support the Systems & Management Accountant as a contact and administrator for all Finance related systems;
• assist with the development of an integrated system and process which ensure that fees due from learners, employers and partners which arise as a consequence of learner enrolments are administered and collected in a timely and efficient manner;
• work with other colleagues in the review of methods and the introduction of new equipment / technology, advising the Head of Finance on areas of best practice and innovation;

Processes/Procedures

• review, develop and implement efficient, effective and consistent Financial documentation, policies and procedures across the College including MyKelvin and the College website/intranet, ensuring segregation of duties and the maintenance of financial control systems at the College;
• liaise with Scottish Funding Council in relation to policies and procedures and contribute to internal and external meetings;
• provide advice, guidance and assistance to colleagues throughout the College in respect of financial policies and procedures, fees and payment of fees;
• identify and implement continuous improvements to all of the services provided by the Finance Team;
• keep abreast of legislation and regulations around finance and the impact on College processes, including but not limited to Annual Accounts, Fee Waiver Policy, General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Cyber Security Awareness, Protecting Card Holder Data (PCI). contribute to Finance Team Planning processes; conduct Health and Safety Inspections of Finance areas;

Other

Other

• manage the College’s debt collection processes and communications with the Debt Collection Agency;
• ensure payments to suppliers are made timeously and oversee the operation of the purchase ledger;
• oversee the operation of the College’s bank accounts and be the main point of contact in respect of the College’s banking arrangements;
• complete annual PCI (Protecting Cardholder Data) in collaboration with ICT colleagues;

General

• keep abreast of current developments which may be relevant to the College’s activity and future direction;
• have an understanding of and comply with College policies and procedures;
• promote and advance Equality and Diversity in all aspects of College operations;
• provide leadership to staff, where appropriate to the role, encouraging training and development to ensure all achieve their full potential;
• assist with self-evaluation activities for their area in accordance with College procedures;
• respect the confidentiality of matters relating to learners and staff;
• understand your role and obligations in complying with the requirements of the regulatory framework for the College, both as a service provider and an employer, in particular the Data Protection Act, the UK General Data Protection Regulations and the Freedom of Information Act;
• report any accidental or unlawful loss of personal data in accordance with the College Data Protection Policy;
• ensure the Health and Safety of staff and students in all aspects of College activity by exercising a duty of care for personal health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions;
• carry out any other duty commensurate with the post as required by the Senior Finance Manager, the Head of Finance or the Vice Principals; and
• comply with all role specific training and all compulsory training provided by the College, for example Health and Safety, equality and diversity, etc.

The duties of this post will be reviewed periodically and may, in consequence, be modified to meet new requirements and the exigencies of the service.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Knowledge:

Demonstrable knowledge of the operation of a Finance Function in the Public Sector.

Skills and Competencies:

• A high level of ICT skills;
• Good accounting and numerical skills;
• Effective leadership and staff management skills;
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team;
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to communicate and deal with staff at all levels; and
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the requirements of the service.

Experience:

• Financial management and systems;
• Managing high volume data input processes;
• Maintaining robust systems, processes and procedures; and
• Compliance with the requirements of funders and auditors.

Benefits

Why work at Glasgow Kelvin?

• Access to a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Hybrid working (dependent and the needs of the service).
• Annual Leave – 33 days per annum plus 12 public holidays.
• A professional development review process – continuous professional and personal development.
• Professional and personal development for all staff – we offer an extensive range of staff development opportunities and events to support you in your role, help you reach your full potential and plan for your future.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Mileage Allowance – reclaimable for travel on College Business
• Employee Assistance Programme –– a 24-hour service that supports your health and wellbeing.
• Flexible Working and Family Friendly Policy – Flexible Working, Maternity, Parental, Paternity and Adoption Leave – enhanced entitlements.
• Sick Pay – Enhanced entitlement above the national average.
• Wellbeing – a range of activities to enhance and support your wellbeing, access to sports facilities and fitness activities.

About Glasgow Kelvin College

About Glasgow Kelvin College:Glasgow Kelvin College seeks to provide learning opportunities of the highest quality, which engages learners from the widest range of backgrounds, and supports their progression to employment or to further study. We play a vital role in providing accessible vocational and core-skills learning and you will have the opportunity help us create progression opportunities for learners and makes a positive impact on the communities we serve.

We deliver high-quality programmes, from introductory to degree level, to around 15,000 students each year from three campus buildings in the North and Northeast of Glasgow and through a large network of community-based centres. The College works with partners to create inclusive progression opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable environment for our learners.

Roles within the College are subject to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme and as such the successful candidate(s) will be required to make an application for membership under the Scheme.

At Glasgow Kelvin College, we are committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diverse society we serve. We believe that our strength lies in our differences, and we actively seek to attract talent from a wide range of backgrounds. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We are dedicated to being an employer of choice by prioritising diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. Our inclusive policies and practices ensure that every team member experiences a strong sense of belonging and can thrive both personally and professionally. We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee to interview applicants who meet the essential job requirements. 

Join us at Glasgow Kelvin College and be part of a team that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion. Your unique perspective and experiences are not just welcomed—they are essential to our collective success.

To find out more about how we do this visit:

Equality, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging - Glasgow Kelvin College