Senior Accountant (Strategic Projects)

Role Description

Department

The Finance Department aims to provide:

• high quality management information to support decision making
• efficient transaction services for our students, staff, departments and external stakeholders
• a professional purchasing service for departments, ensuring we achieve value for money
• a reporting and control framework to support all the University's financial activities

This role sits within the Group Financial Accounting team who are responsible for financial reporting, statutory returns, financial policy and taxation at the University of York.

About the Role

Are you an experienced, qualified accountant looking for a challenging and rewarding role in a prestigious, complex organisation? The University of York is seeking a highly skilled Senior Financial Accountant (Projects) to join our Group Financial Accounts Team based in the Finance Department to lead technical and strategic finance work across the University of York in the delivery of key strategic projects. The post holder will provide technical financial support to teams developing and delivering key strategic projects for the University of York providing accurate financial information to guide project decisions and supporting technical financial aspects of large scale/complex projects. This role will lead on areas including project costing, guidance on statutory account treatment for complex transactions, financial risk analysis for new ventures and liaison with technical and third party experts. As a senior member of the team, you will be pivotal in ensuring that the University maximises the impact of new workstreams and projects.  The work will be diverse and will vary from month to month with priorities to include:

• Financial management: Project budget setting and monitoring
• Technical expertise: Advice on accounting treatment for complex projects
• Stakeholder management: Engagement with specialist advisers representing areas including tax and project financing. Engagement with stakeholders both in the UK and overseas
• Leadership: To be a senior member of the Group Financial Accounts Team, who are responsible for financial reporting, statutory returns, taxation and control.
• Teamwork: Support the wider Finance team with both transformation and key day to day work

 What You'll Bring (Essential Requirements)

• Qualification: A recognised Accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with some experience and a desire to develop your skills in international accounting requirements.
• Experience: Proven experience in the preparation of financial reports and commentary for senior stakeholders.
• Skills: A high degree of attention to detail, a solution-oriented approach, and the ability to gather, analyse, interpret, and report complex data/information.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of accounting practices and procedures used in complex projects.
• A desire to embrace and drive change

Experience with line management, knowledge of the Higher Education Sector, and familiarity with Agresso/Workday Adaptive Planner are desirable, but not essential.

 What we offer

• Hybrid working: flexibility to work from home up to 3 days per week
• Generous Holidays: up to 38 Days (including bank holidays)
• Salary of up to £56,535
• A Family-Friendly and Inclusive Environment with part time options considered

 Interview date:w/c 12 January 2026

 For an informal discussion about the post, please contact: Ali Henley-Jones, Deputy Director of Finance ali.henley-jones@york.ac.uk.  Please note that emails will only be checked intermittently over the Christmas and New Year period. 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork