{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Head of Financial Accounting","description":"\n \n

Head of Financial Accounting

Company Description

\n About The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh\n

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is an independent membership organisation dedicated to the education, training and advancement of surgeons, dental surgeons, doctors, and various individuals throughout healthcare who are involved in the surgical care of patients. The College has a current membership approaching 32,000 and growing, with members spanning over 100 countries around the world.

From our founding in 1505, the College has been committed to the advancement of surgery and driving patient safety standards worldwide. In our 515-year history, there has never been a better time to join the College than now.

\n Working with us\n

At the College we aim to embrace views from across the organisation, sharing common goals and values for the betterment of healthcare through the advancement of surgical and dental professionals. We aim to develop teams that are reflective of the needs of our members and maximise the potential of every employee.

To reflect the varying needs across the organisation, we offer a range of policies and benefits for our workforce including a generous 42 days annual leave, flexible working practices, enhanced employer pensions contribution and various discounts throughout the College including the Ten Hill Place Hotel, 1505 Café and free entry to Surgeons’ Hall Museums.

If you’d like more information about this role, please contact recruitment@rcsed.ac.uk

Position

We are seeking an experienced and technically strong finance professional to lead our Financial Accounting and transaction processing functions. This is a senior role within the Finance / Resources directorate, reporting to the Director of Resources and playing a key part in ensuring the accuracy, integrity and effectiveness of the College’s financial accounting arrangements.

The postholder will be responsible for the overall management and performance of the financial accounting and transaction processing teams, supporting statutory reporting, technical accounting, treasury management, tax compliance, financial systems development and effective financial control across the group. The role covers the accounting arrangements for the College, its subsidiary and the Malaysian company, with responsibility for maintaining high-quality accounting records and supporting informed decision-making by senior leaders and the Trustee Board.

About the role

You will lead the preparation of annual financial statements for the group and single entity, ensure timely submission of regulatory returns, and provide expert advice on technical accounting matters including FRS 102, Charity SORP, OSCR requirements, VAT and other tax matters. You will also oversee key reconciliations, maintain effective financial controls, manage treasury arrangements and banking relationships, and support the development of financial systems and procedures.

As a senior member of the finance team, you will work closely with the Head of Financial Reporting and Analysis, senior leaders, committee chairs, external auditors, consultants and colleagues across the organisation. You will also lead, motivate and develop a team of 6 colleagues, ensuring strong performance, effective processes and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

· Lead the production of annual financial statements and associated notes for the group and single entity.

· Oversee statutory and regulatory returns, including OSCR, Companies House, HMRC and other relevant submissions.

· Provide technical accounting advice and ensure compliance with FRS 102, Charity SORP and relevant regulatory requirements.

· Manage control account reconciliations, ledger integrity and financial accounting processes across the organisation.

· Lead treasury management, banking relationships, investment broker liaison and online banking controls.

· Ensure effective VAT, corporation tax and other tax compliance, maximising tax recovery where appropriate.

· Develop and maintain financial accounting policies, procedures, systems and controls.

· Lead, manage and develop the financial accounting and transaction processing teams.

· Contribute to cross-functional projects and deputise for the Director of Resources as required.

Requirements

About you

You will be a qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA or CIMA, and significant experience in financial accounting. You will bring strong technical knowledge, ideally gained within an FRS 102 or similar environment, together with the ability to interpret complex financial requirements and translate them into practical solutions.

You will have excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills, with the confidence to advise senior finance and non-finance colleagues, present complex information clearly, and manage competing priorities. Experience of staff management, team development, financial systems, advanced Excel and working with external auditors or advisers will be important. Knowledge of Charity SORP, fixed asset accounting under FRS 102, or experience in charity or public sector would be advantageous.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact finance leadership role within a complex and respected organisation, supporting financial stewardship, strong governance and informed strategic decision-making. You will work with senior stakeholders across the group and help shape robust, efficient and continuously improving financial accounting services.

Other information

\n How to apply\n

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role. Please include examples of your technical accounting expertise, leadership experience and ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders.

Dates of interviews will be confirmed in due course. Candidates who have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted in the first instance by email.

The application is a tool for helping us to shortlist candidates for interview and as a basis for the interview itself. Any decision to shortlist you for interview will be based solely upon the information you supply on your application.

If you have any difficulty in completing the forms or require the forms in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment Department by e-mail: recruitment@rcsed.ac.uk

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is an equal opportunities employer. If you consider you have a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) and have any specific requirements, or require assistance or reasonable adjustments (for example, information in larger font) to be made for you during the selection process, we will do our best to assist you. You are given the opportunity to express your needs by attaching a separate sheet to your application form or by contacting the HR Department on +44 (0) 131 527 1587 or by e-mail: recruitment@rcsed.ac.uk

The Equal Opportunities Monitoring form can be returned with your application. It will be retained within the HR Department and used solely for monitoring purposes; it will not be made available to the short-listing panel.

Thank you for your interest in the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. We look forward to receiving your completed application by the Closing Date. If you need any further information, do not hesitate to contact us.

Attachments

\n Head of Financial Accounting JD.pdf\n

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