Finance Business Partner – Grade E3

Scottish Funding Council

Finance Business Partner providing financial analysis and strategic advice to colleges and universities in Scotland. Collaborating with institutions and stakeholders to ensure financial health and governance compliance.

Posted 6/2/2026full-timeEdinburgh • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSenior💰 £49,938 - £58,134 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide high-quality financial analysis and insight to assess the risks to the financial health (viability and long-term financial sustainability) of colleges and universities, to support decision-making, robust financial planning and investment appraisals.
Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with colleges and universities and other stakeholders through a finance business partnering approach.
Provide advice on financial governance and risk management, and on compliance with the SFC Financial Memorandum (FM), Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) and other relevant governance and financial frameworks.
Prepare and present clear, concise internal and external financial advice, to institutions and to the Scottish Government, on specific matters within the remit of the role.
Review and provide feedback on the financial strategies of colleges and universities to ensure that they are credible, deliver value for money and contribute to national outcomes.
Review and consider colleges’ and universities’ requests for approvals under the SFC Financial Memorandum (FM), Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM)
Represent SFC in discussions with external bodies, including Audit Scotland, UK funding bodies, and government departments.
Ensure continuous professional development including maintaining up-to-date knowledge of technical accounting standards, public sector finance developments, and governance codes.
Contribute to continuous improvement across the SFC, including taking the lead on developmental areas such as engaging with Universities’ Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) data.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with relevant post-qualification experience.
Good understanding of financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting, audit and financial and non-financial organisational controls.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships; experienced in stakeholder engagement and influencing at senior levels.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial issues to non-financial audiences.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with experience of preparing high-quality reports for executive and Board committees.
Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and advanced Excel skills.
Experience in finance business partnering.
Knowledge and understanding of tertiary education sector in Scotland.
Relevant understanding of public sector budgeting, accounting, and governance frameworks.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements.
Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro-rata. Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata.
A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues.
Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.
Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. With its low member contribution rates and generous employer contributions, this gives you a secure, inflation-proof pension for life with no investment uncertainty. Details of contribution rates together with further details of the pension benefits are available on the Civil Service Pensions website. There is also the option of a Partnership pension account.
Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development. Civil Service-Learning curriculum has thoughtfully designed to cater to various learning preferences, allowing employees to engage in a manner that best suits their needs. All our educational resources are conveniently accessible through the CSL website.
Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Special Leave (paid and unpaid), a contribution to learning outside work through our Lifelong Learning Fund, free winter flu vaccination, and access to occupational health support.
We provide support to SFC employees with Volunteering Days.
Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis.

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

financial analysisforecastingbudgetingauditfinancial controlsnon-financial controlsfinancial governancerisk managementtechnical accounting standardspublic sector budgeting

Soft Skills

relationship buildingstakeholder engagementinfluencinganalytical skillsproblem-solvingcommunication skillswritten communicationverbal communicationreport preparationcollaboration

Certifications

CCAB