Financial Controls Manager (Research)

About the role

The University of Edinburgh is seeking a Financial Controls Manager to strengthen the financial control framework for its research activity, which generates around £400 million annually. This 2‑year contract role will work closely with the Edinburgh Research Office, schools and finance teams to ensure accurate research balance‑sheet reconciliations, project suspense accounts and the preparation of accruals and provisions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the improvement of the Research Deferred Income Account reconciliation process, creating monthly controls to detect and resolve mismatches between the General Ledger and Projects Ledger.
• Manage the clearance of backlog research awards and legacy project codes, ensuring final reconciliations, balance releases or write‑offs, and collaboration with schools to clear aged salary.
• Develop and maintain provisions for aged research debt and streamline the monthly Research Partner Accrual process for reliable year‑end reporting.
• Establish a formal RACI framework between finance and the research office, defining clear accountabilities and implementing system‑level controls to prevent inappropriate postings after project closure.

Required profile

• CCAB‑qualified accountant with significant post‑qualification experience in a large, complex public‑sector environment.
• Proven experience in research finance or large‑scale project accounting, including reconciliations, accruals and provision setting.
• Strong analytical abilities and a track record of improving financial control processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to work across finance, research offices and academic schools.

Required skills

• Advanced knowledge of General Ledger and project‑level accounting structures.
• Experience with financial reconciliation, accruals and provision methodologies.
• Ability to design and implement RACI frameworks and system controls.