Assistant Manager Finance/ Manager Finance

Role Overview

The Finance Manager will support the CFO in managing the end-to-end finance operations for the campus / business unit. The role is responsible for driving robust financial planning, performance monitoring, controls, and compliance, while acting as a key execution partner to convert strategic intent into operational outcomes.

This role is hands-on, detail-oriented, and critical to ensuring financial discipline, timely reporting, and decision-ready insights for leadership. The Finance Manager will work closely with academic, operations, and central finance teams in a matrix environment and will oversee outsourced accounting partners.

The role reports directly to the CFO University Of Bristol

Key Responsibilities

1. Budgeting, Forecasting, Reporting

a. Support preparation of annual budgets and rolling forecasts

b. Track actuals vs budget and highlight variances with actionable insights

c. Prepare periodic performance reports covering revenue, costs, margins, and KPIs at program and cohort level.

d. Prepare monthly MIS reports and dashboards for internal stakeholders.

2. Financial Analysis & Decision Support

a. Provide financial data and analysis for pricing decisions, scholarships, faculty hiring, infrastructure costs, and vendor contracts.

b. Support evaluation of new programs, initiatives, partnerships, and operational changes.

c. Assist in tracking campus-level costs including faculty, infrastructure, and admin expenses.

3. Accounting and Financial Operations

a. Coordinate with outsourced accounting firm for book keeping and journal entries, monthly close processes, ledger scrutiny and reconciliations

b. Ensure accuracy of financial records and timely closure of books.

c. Review vendor invoices, expense bookings, and supporting documentation.

d. Oversee end to end accounts payable and receivable processes

e. Assist in cash flow tracking and working capital monitoring

4. Controls, Compliance & Audit

a. Support statutory compliance including GST, TDS, and other regulatory filings.

b. Ensure adherence to internal controls, SOPs, and approval workflows.

c. Coordinate with auditors and external consultants as required.

d. Track remediation of audit observations and strengthen control processes over time.

5. Stakeholder Coordination & Process Management

a. Work closely with campus operations, academic teams, central finance, and outsourced partners to ensure smooth finance operations.

b. Support implementation and standardization of finance processes, reporting formats, and systems.

c. Manage multiple workstreams simultaneously while ensuring timelines and accuracy.

Desired Profile

Experience & Qualifications

· Chartered Accountant / Inter CA with 5-8 years of relevant experience.

· Experience in accounting, MIS, and finance operations

· Exposure to education, services or operations-heavy environments preferred.

· Experience working with outsourced accounting models is an advantage.

Core Skills & Capabilities

· Strong grounding in accounting, budgeting, and financial controls.

· Analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends, exceptions, and business implications behind numbers.

· Hands-on execution capability with strong attention to detail.

· Ability to apply judgment and problem-solving in day-to-day operational matters.

· Ability to work in a matrix and evolving organization.

· Clear communication and stakeholder-management skills.

· Proficiency in Excel; familiarity with ERP/accounting systems.

Why Join Us

• Be part of the foundational team supporting a world-class UK university's India operation. Work in a dynamic, high-growth academic environment with strong industry connection and opportunities to develop expertise in career services, employer relations, and student engagement operations
• Opportunity to work closely with finance leadership and campus management.
• Broad exposure across finance operations, reporting, controls, and business finance.
• Opportunity to gain experience into a future finance leadership role as scale and complexity increase.