• Business, commercial and financial advice

  Each department has a nominated Finance Manager who is the link to the Finance Office. As well as being the point of access and referral to our services, the link officers provide invaluable advice, support and guidance on all finance related matters, including on budgeting and planning, developing business cases, and preparing submissions to University committees. They also meet regularly with staff in the departments to analyse and help solve financial issues and overcome obstacles to growth.

• Financial accounting and reporting

  We make sure that the University remains financially compliant. Staff in the Finance Office are responsible for managing the University’s financial reporting structures and prepare the annual financial statements, and submit annual returns to a range of external bodies such as HESA and HEFCE. We also control the five-year planning process; consolidating, reviewing and critiquing individual plans, and prepare, consolidate and review the quarterly management accounts and revised forecasts.

• Budgeting, management accounting and management information

  From developing departmental budgets, preparing financial commentaries and regular reporting and advising on performance against those budget, to modelling financial scenarios, creating bespoke reports and supporting the review and evaluation of proposals, staff in the Finance Office carry-out a wide range of management accounting which supports decision-making and helps the University and its departments to continue to grow.

• Purchasing and supplier management

  The Finance Office develops the University’s Procurement Strategy, ensuring that research and teaching is supported whilst achieving maximum value for money. By negotiating framework agreements, participating in national and regional purchasing consortia and by managing supplier relationships, we are able to achieve significant savings, whilst complying legislative requirements – essential to maintaining the University’s access to external funding.

• Treasury management

  We make sure that the University always has enough money to support its teaching and research activities. The Finance Office is responsible for all aspects of treasury management including managing the University's investments, complex banking arrangements, credit control and customer receipts and supplier payments.

• Research Finance

  We support the accounting for research and related awards held by the University. To do this we work closely with colleagues in Research Support Services, and with budget holders to maximise the awards and to submit invoices and claims as required. We support the accounting processes as part of the University's overall accounts. Our staff are happy to provide advice on terms and conditions. We also provide management information in relevant areas (for example, REF income).

• Corporate finance

  Staff in the Finance Office advise, evaluate, manage and lead on significant business acquisitions, high-level negotiations, major joint ventures and partnership arrangements.

• Tax planning and compliance

  From submitting monthly returns, to developing tax planning strategies and providing detailed advice and guidance, the Finance Office deals with all tax matters affecting the University in order to minimise its tax liability while ensuring compliance.

• Contracts support

  We work with the departments to minimise the University's exposure to contract risk. Our staff advise and support non-research related contract negotiations; reviewing and drafting the terms and conditions, undertaking risk and financial assessments, negotiating with the external parties and seeking the necessary approvals for the contract to be signed.

• Maintaining Financial systems, regulations and procedures

  By maintaining and developing the University’s financial systems (SAP and OPeRA), regulations and procedures we make sure the University can do business while remaining compliant. Although our staff primarily ensure that the systems, regulations and procedures are implemented and that resources are used appropriately, they also provide expert support, guidance and training and look to continuously improve usability.

• Financial training, support and guidance

  In addition to the support provided through the 'link officers', we also offer a comprehensive training and development programme. The priorities for the programme are; to improve financial knowledge and know-how amongst non-specialists, to support Finance Managers in providing ‘business partnering’ services, and to increase awareness and understanding of financial compliance across the University.

Finance Office Organisation Charts