Address Overview:
We deliver a range of financial management, compliance, and strategic roles to ensure that the Scottish Government’s reputation for competent government, prudent fiscal management and value for money is maintained and enhanced, helping the organisation to manage and govern over £50 billion of public spending, and deliver a wide range of compliance and reporting requirements.
We are expanding our current capacity and capabilities to ensure that we are set up for future success, and to maximise the benefits of the new Enterprise Resource Planning system that is planned to go live later in 2024. As part of this, we have identified the requirement for two Financial Accountants to support the production of the consolidated annual accounts and provision of accounting and financial management advice to stakeholders.
The post-holders will be adaptable and responsive to change and contribute to the continuous improvement of the team. The nature of the work is such that a key requirement of the roles is a flexible and adaptable approach to managing tasks and programmes of work, with an ability to adapt quickly to change, in partnership with colleagues across the Team, Division, Directorate and wider Scottish Government community.
The post-holders will report to the Senior Finance Manager, and there are also Assistant Financial Accountants to support the team.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career within a corporate setting at the heart of the Scottish Government. You’ll be joining an innovative, forward-looking division with a vision to apply global best practice, and a commitment to support all staff grow their professional knowledge, skills, and experience. Responsibilities:
Competencies
Financial Management
Communications & Engagement
Analysis & Use of Evidence
People Management Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
Essential Criteria
This post can be based in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh or 5 Atlantic Quay, Glasgow.
The directorate follows a hybrid working approach which blends working in Scottish Government workspaces and from home depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances, in line with Scottish Government policy.
To apply please fully complete the application and submit evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.
Person Specification
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Financial Accounts team and play a key role in delivering the Scottish Government’s flagship activities and directly support key financial reporting as well as the new corporate shared services system.
The team sits within the Financial Management Directorate, which is key in providing robust advice to Ministers and senior officers across the public sector to support effective decision making with regards the allocation and management of resources.
We deliver a range of financial management, compliance, and strategic roles to ensure that the Scottish Government’s reputation for competent government, prudent fiscal management and value for money is maintained and enhanced, helping the organisation to manage and govern over £50 billion of public spending, and deliver a wide range of compliance and reporting requirements.
We are expanding our current capacity and capabilities to ensure that we are set up for future success, and to maximise the benefits of the new Enterprise Resource Planning system that is planned to go live later in 2024. As part of this, we have identified the requirement for two Financial Accountants to support the production of the consolidated annual accounts and provision of accounting and financial management advice to stakeholders.
The post-holders will be adaptable and responsive to change and contribute to the continuous improvement of the team. The nature of the work is such that a key requirement of the roles is a flexible and adaptable approach to managing tasks and programmes of work, with an ability to adapt quickly to change, in partnership with colleagues across the Team, Division, Directorate and wider Scottish Government community.
The post-holders will report to the Senior Finance Manager, and there are also Assistant Financial Accountants to support the team.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career within a corporate setting at the heart of the Scottish Government. You’ll be joining an innovative, forward-looking division with a vision to apply global best practice, and a commitment to support all staff grow their professional knowledge, skills, and experience.
- Ensuring that the financial reporting systems, including the Non-Current Asset Register, support the timely and correct completion of financial management reporting, ensuring all reconciliations and other key controls are up to date.
- Provision of accounting and financial management advice to stakeholders through delivery of financial reporting and analysis and supplying high quality regular financial updates to key stakeholders.
- Ensuring integrity of transactions on financial systems, analysing the monthly balance sheet reconciliations ensuring good controls and checks are in place, and challenging transactions where necessary.
- Supporting the preparation and delivery of the Annual Accounts, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting and financial regulations, and co-ordinating external audit activities.
- Lead, support, and line manage finance colleagues to ensure delivery of team priorities, while also providing support and guidance to direct reports. Be proactive with your team’s performance management to develop and fulfil their potential, identifying and meeting training needs.
- Develop and manage relationships across the Scottish Government, understanding the drivers of risk across the organisation and identifying opportunities to influence the strategic direction of directorates and the decisions they are making.
- Identifying potential improvements to finance processes with a particular focus on using core financial and reporting systems to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Annual Accounts and audit processes.
Competencies
Financial Management
Communications & Engagement
Analysis & Use of Evidence
People Management
The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified (or equivalent) with up-to-date CPD.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of working within a financial environment and the ability to generate, identify and interrogate financial data to support decision making and ensure appropriate accountability and use of funds.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a proven ability to explain financial information clearly and concisely, influencing key stakeholders at different levels within an organisation and maintaining strong working relationships.
- Enhanced analytical skills using a variety of tools including Excel to develop informed options, make evidenced-based recommendations and support informed decisions.
- Strong people management and interpersonal skills. Must be credible with staff, creating conditions to build confident and effective teams that empower, value, develop and motivate people.
Provisional Interview Dates
Dates to be confirmed. This interview will comprise of a short presentation (topic to be advised) and competency-based questions.
Location
This post can be based in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh or 5 Atlantic Quay, Glasgow.
The directorate follows a hybrid working approach which blends working in Scottish Government workspaces and from home depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances, in line with Scottish Government policy.
Minimum Time in Post
It is expected that the successful candidate(s) would remain in post for two years, unless successful in achieving promotion to a higher band/grade.
Additional Information
To apply please fully complete the application and submit evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.
Person Specification
For information on this post please contact lorna.bocquet@gov.scot or angela.flynn@gov.scot or financeprofession@gov.scot
The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via ScottishGovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot
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