Deputy College Accountant

Your new companyWe are partnering exclusively with one of the University of Oxford's oldest and most distinguished colleges, in the recruitment of a Deputy College Accountant to play a key role in its finance function.
This is a broad and visible position combining technical accounting, team oversight, and the opportunity to contribute to significant finance transformation projects-including the implementation of a new finance system and development of enhanced reporting tools.
Working closely with the College Accountant and Finance Bursar, you will act as a trusted deputy, supporting strategic and operational financial management across the College.
Your new role
You will take ownership of core financial processes while helping modernise and improve how finance operates across the College. Key responsibilities include:

• Deputising for the College Accountant and supporting supervision of the finance team
• Supporting month-end and year-end processes, including statutory reporting and audit preparation
• Producing high-quality management accounts with clear commentary on variances and trends
• Strengthening financial controls through balance sheet and control account reconciliations
• Supporting budgeting and cash flow forecasting processes
• Leading improvements in financial processes, including SOP development and automation
• Contributing to the implementation of a new finance system and enhanced reporting capability
• Overseeing transactional areas including accounts payable and the rent ledger
• Preparing VAT returns, including partial exemption calculations
• Maintaining key financial records including fixed assets, investments, and donations

• A professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Strong Technical Accounting Knowledge, including financial reporting and controls
• Experience of improving processes and ideally supporting systems implementation or automation.
• Advanced Excel and confidence working with financial systems (e.g. Sage, Opera or similar)
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
• Well-organised, adaptable, and able to manage a varied workload
• Experience within higher education or the charity sector (including Charity SORP) would be advantageous but is not essential.

• £55-65k salary DOE
• Generous pension scheme
• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Free parking in City Centre Oxford
• Cycle to work
• Electric car scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Free gym access on site
• Free lunches on site when working
• Bus pass scheme
• And much more