Finance
Training and Development Policy
Finance believes that its staff are its most valuable resource and understands that the knowledge,
skills and commitment of staff are fundamental to the successful achievement of the University’s
academic vision.
Introduction
1. Recognising that proactive training and development is one way of helping staff achieve their
full potential at work, this policy clarifies a consistent approach across the University with
regard to:

the support Finance provides for its staff (organisational time and funding)

the commitment Finance expects from its staff (personal time and funding).
Identification and provision of training and development needs
2. Upon recruitment to a new role within Finance, initial training and development needs will be
identified by line managers.
3. Ongoing training and development needs will be kept under consideration by line managers
and be included as part of the annual Staff Review & Development Scheme (SRDS) process.
4. Training and development needs will be, wherever possible, provided in-house (eg SDDU, ISS
and Management/Financial Accounting courses and seminars) although external courses will
be supported where deemed necessary and if affordable.
5. Before any training and development activity is undertaken, staff must always obtain the prior
approval of their line manager. If a member of staff is not satisfied that their line manager is
allowing their training and development needs to be reasonably met, they are encouraged to
contact the chair of the Finance Training and Development Group (FTDG).
Induction programme
6. All new Finance staff will undergo an appropriate induction programme organised by their line
manager within the first two weeks of taking up a post within the University.
Accountancy training
7. Support for accountancy training is contingent upon the requirements of the role, the availability
of finite resources (organisational time and funding) and the level of commitment demonstrated
by the applicant. Priority will be given to those trainees continuing on previously agreed
programmes, with prior approval granted by:

the Finance Management Team for Central Finance staff

the Dean and Faculty Finance Manager for Faculty staff

the Head (of Service) and Finance Manager for Service staff.
8. As detailed within the support package at Annex A, Finance supports non-residential
accountancy training with all of the UK accountancy bodies who permit training within the HE
sector (eg AAT, ACCA and CIMA).
9. Formal acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined within Annex A must be agreed by the
trainee and approved by their line manager before they embark upon accountancy training, a
signed copy to be retained on file by the line manager. In the event of a dispute the Finance
Director, who has professional responsibility for all finance staff, will arbitrate and make the
final decision.
Other finance training and development (for staff not undertaking accountancy training)
10. All staff within Finance are actively encouraged to undertake training and development, usually
in-house but externally if necessary to effectively carry out their role. Prior approval continues
to be required by the line manager.
Continuing Professional Development
11. Unlike other professional groups within the University, Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) is now a mandatory requirement of the accountancy bodies. Finance encourages all
trainees, qualified accountants and senior staff to maintain a training record of their CPD
points/hours gathered each year.
12. Annual subscription fees to accountancy and other professional bodies for trainees, qualified
accountants and senior staff in Finance will be paid in full by Central Finance or the Faculty or
Service concerned if membership is a clear requirement of the job and if CPD is being
undertaken.
13. It is the individual responsibility of qualified accountants to ensure that their own CPD
requirements are met in full. Similarly, trainees should ensure that their student training records
are up to date and appropriately authorised.
Mentoring
14. Every effort will be made to match each trainee with a suitable mentor where desired.
Recognising the benefits of mentoring, guidance via SDDU seminars and best practice notes
will be provided for existing and new mentors.
Jane Madeley
Finance Director
March 2013
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Support package for accountancy training
Annex A
Finance will support accountancy training via taught courses normally held with BPP Professional
Education (http://www.bpp.com). Finance has a high regard for the quality of training provided by
BPP Professional Education and has agreed a ‘preferred supplier’ contract with them entitling all
students to a 20% discount. As CIPFA do not support accountancy training via BPP Professional
Education, such training will be considered on an exceptional basis.
Finance supports the following:
i.
study leave for taught courses only, taking place during normal University working hours and
for 1 ½ days per exam (including sitting the actual exam) if attempted for the first time and up
to a maximum of 20 days per annum
ii. 75% of the cost of non-residential taught courses (including examination fees but excluding
books as these are provided free with taught courses) if attempted for the first time or the
equivalent of this amount towards a full-time course.
iii. 50% of the cost of non-residential revision courses (excluding books) if attempted for the first
time.
iv. 75% of the cost of exemption fees
v. 100% of the cost of annual subscriptions and membership fees (subject to para 12 above).
Recognising time and budgetary constraints, Finance cannot contribute towards resits and
residential courses. Time off for resits, residential courses and revision courses must be agreed
with line managers in terms of annual leave.
Finance expects the following commitment from the trainee:
i.
that trainees fully participate in all courses, including submission of course examinations
ii.
that qualification for technician trainees will normally be within 3 years of continuous study
iii.
that qualification for professional (e.g. ACCA, CIMA) trainees will normally be within 4 years
but within a maximum of 6 years of continuous study
iv.
that if a trainee leaves whilst undergoing training, they will repay 100% of their final year’s
funding provided by the University
v.
that if a trainee leaves in the first year after qualification, they will repay 100% of their final
year’s funding provided by the University
vi.
that if a trainee leaves in the second year after qualification, they will repay 75% of their final
year’s funding provided by the University.
……………………………………..
Acceptance (of the terms and conditions in Annex A) by the trainee
……………………………………..
Date
……………………………………..
Approval (for the trainee to embark upon accountancy training) by the line manager
……………………………………..
Date
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