Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment (formerly Hutcheon Mearns) is working with a reputable educational institution which offers a flexible and diverse workplace to hire an experienced Management Accountant for a 6 month interim position, with the potential to be extended. This is a full time role (35 hours per week). Our client is based in Aberdeen City Centre with hybrid and flexible working.
The successful candidate will take ownership of clearing historic balance sheet issues, processing core monthly journals for fixed assets and bank accounts, while supporting the training and upskilling of finance colleagues to embed robust reconciliation practices and controls beyond the life of the contract. This role will also support the Financial Reporting team in documenting and improving processes and controls during a new systems implementation.
The Opportunity
- Balance Sheet Review & Improvement
- Lead the review and clearance of historic balance sheet reconciliations, including investigation of long-standing and aged balances
- Identify root causes of reconciliation issues and prepare corrective journals as required
- Ensure reconciliations are accurate, well-supported, and compliant with relevant financial regulations and audit requirements
- Strengthen balance sheet controls and improve the quality of supporting documentation
- Training, Upskilling & Knowledge Transfer
- Act as a subject matter expert on balance sheet reconciliations within the Financial Reporting Team
- Provide hands-on support, coaching, and informal training to finance colleagues on reconciliation best practice
- Develop or enhance reconciliation templates, guidance notes, and process documentation
- Promote consistent standards and approaches across the team to improve resilience and audit readiness.
- Fixed Assets Accounting
- Process monthly fixed asset journals, including additions, disposals, depreciation, and reclassifications
- Ensure the fixed asset register reconciles to the general ledger and complies with accounting standards and relevant policies
- Support capital accounting and reporting as required
- Bank Accounting
- Process monthly bank journals and support the timely completion of bank reconciliations
- Investigate and resolve reconciling items, ensuring clear audit trails are maintained
- Month-End & Year-End Support
- Contribute to month-end close activities in line with agreed timetables
- Support year-end accounts preparation and provide high-quality working papers for internal and external audit
- Liaise with colleagues across Finance to resolve balance sheet queries
Background and Experience
- CCAB qualified, part-qualified, or qualified by experience
- Strong experience in balance sheet reconciliations and journal processing
- Demonstrable experience of fixed asset accounting and bank reconciliations
- Proven ability to explain financial concepts clearly and support or train colleagues
- Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work independently, prioritise effectively, and deliver within a fixed-term assignment
- Advanced Excel skills and experience of a large financial system (e.g. Unit4/Agresso, Oracle, SAP)
- Experience within UK education or the wider public sector
- Familiarity with HE financial governance and audit requirements
- Experience contributing to process improvement or finance transformation activity
Flexibility and Benefits
- Competitive day rate
- Hybrid & Flexible working
- 35 hour working week
Next Steps
To apply please send a full CV stating availability and salary expectations. For a confidential discussion or more information, please reach out to Lois Dobbie on lois.dobbie@cooperparry.com. Only those eligible to work in the UK will be considered for this role as no sponsorship is available.