Job Description

You will provide financial information and advice to a range of budget holders, at Deputy Director level, supporting them to deliver policy objectives within their allocated budgets.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to undertake a wide range of financial and non-financial learning and development opportunities to enhance their careers. On successful completion of six months’ probation, successful candidates may apply to undertake a Department funded Apprenticeship or similar course of study to qualify to be a CCAB or CIMA qualified Accountant.

The work of the lead accountant is varied and covers operational work such and managing POs, preparing, and posting journals, performing reconciliations, developing, and providing monthly management reports, liaising with a range of budget holders, at Deputy Director level and supporting them to deliver policy objectives within their allocated budgets as well as helping with the year-end processes.

Responsibilities

• Work with Finance Business Partners to share soft intelligence, actively identifying outliers and ensuring these are resolved in a timely manner;
• Lead discussions with budget holders and provide high quality financial advice and assistance to feed into strategic management decisions;
• Take ownership of specialist accounting areas that sit within the team’s portfolio (for example, provisions, investments and contingent liabilities);
• Create or approve financial transactions on the finance system, Microsoft D365, ensure all accounting entries are complete and supported by a full audit trail;
• Ensure all month-end activities are conducted in line with the monthly financial timetable;
• Undertaking critical reviews of ongoing work and processes to ensure finance offer continues to be fit for purpose
• Line management and development of Executive Office support staff within the team;
• Any additional ad-hoc activities that would be expected at this grade

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Part-qualified CCAB, CIMA or equivalent accountant or AAT qualified or have experience of working in a finance environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, with staff and stakeholders at all levels;
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel to Intermediate level.
• Practical experience of working in a finance environment, for example financial accounting or management accounting
• Good organizational skills and a proven ability to plan and manage competing priorities
• Previous experience of using Microsoft D365
• Previous experience of managing staff