Accounting Manager (Budgeting), School of Continuing Education

SCHOOL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

The School of Continuing Education (SCE), one of the seven Faculties/Schools of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and a major provider of continuing and professional education in Hong Kong, offers a wide range of full-time and part-time programmes at the post-secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate levels for young learners and working adults. SCE also offers in-house training and short courses to meet the community needs and market demands. Operating on a self-financed basis, SCE including its College of International Education currently employ about 400 full-time staff and 550 part-time instructors. SCE is inviting applications for the following position:

Accounting Manager (Budgeting) (Ref. No.: 26270242)

SCE is at an advanced stage of progressing towards its registration as a post-secondary college under the applicable law, with completion expected to be within a year. This transformation aims to enhance the internationalisation and diversification of higher education through distinctive, professional programmes that address societal manpower needs. As part of this exciting institutional evolution, successful candidates may be offered the opportunity to transition to the new post-secondary college (upon its successful registration) under a long-term development plan.   

Responsibilities

• Budgeting & Budgetary Control:
  • Lead the annual budget planning, and periodic forecasting processes for self-financed degree and professional programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and enrollment plans;
  • Drive resource allocation and set budgetary guidelines; establish and maintain robust budgetary control mechanisms;
  • Establish and maintain effective budget control mechanisms, monitoring departmental expenditures and identifying variances against approved operational budgets; and
  • Monitor departmental spending against approved budgets; perform variance analysis and recommend corrective actions.
• Management Accounting & Financial Reporting:
  • Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end management accounting functions and financial statement preparations;
  • Conduct program-level cost analysis, profitability analysis, and cash flow projections to support strategic and investment decisions;
  • Prepare management reports detailing operational performance, revenue trends (e.g., tuition fees, enrollment metrics), and cost-efficiency initiatives; and
  • Support internal and external audits and ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial information.
• Procurement & Tendering Oversight:
  • Review purchase requisitions, tender documentation, vendor evaluations, and commercial contracts;
  • Ensure compliance with university policies, public sector procurement/tendering requirements, and appropriate delegation and approval frameworks; and
  • Monitor procurement and payment cycles for effectiveness, value-for-money, and risk control.
• Team Leadership & System Optimisation:
  • Develop, supervise and mentor a team of accounting officers to deliver high-quality, service-oriented outcomes; and
  • Continuously improve financial workflows, internal controls, and leverage ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, or Finance Systems) for maximum operational efficiency. 
• Stakeholder engagement
  • Partner with academic units and administrative departments on budget stewardship, procurement planning, and financial performance; and
  • Communicate financial insights, risks, and opportunities to senior management in a clear and actionable manner.
• Perform other ad hoc duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, with membership in a recognised professional accounting body;
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, including 3 years of supervisory experience, gained from sizeable companies;
• Solid expertise in annual budgeting, budget control, management reporting, program costing, and commercial procurement/tendering procedures;
• Hands-on experience with financial ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Use/knowledge of Oracle (Oracle Cloud or E-Business Suite) is preferred;
• Experience in higher education/public sector experience is an advantage;
• Strong analytical, reconciliation and reporting skills with attention to detail and data integrity;
• Proven supervisory capabilities and strong stakeholder engagement skills;
• Very good command of written and spoken English and Chinese;
• Good initiative, great sense of commitment and a good team player.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to sit for a written test.

Subject to the decision of SCE and the new post-secondary college and other factors which may include (but are not limited to) availability of funding and performance, an offer of appointment may be made by the new post-secondary college (upon its successful registration) following the end of the fixed term contract.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Procedure:

Applicants are invited to submit their applications at the HKBU e-Recruitment System. Those who are not invited for interview 8 weeks after submission of applications may consider their applications unsuccessful. Details of the University’s Personal Information Collection Statement can be found at https://hro.hkbu.edu.hk/en/worklife-at-hkbu/employee-favourable-environment.html#privacy-policy.

HKBU reserves the right not to make an appointment for the post advertised, and the appointment will be made according to the terms and conditions applicable at the time of offer.

Review of applications is ongoing until the position is filled.