At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team in budget monitoring and financial reporting.
- Company: Join the Scottish Government, dedicated to improving lives across Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact with your financial skills while developing professionally in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Must be fully CCAB qualified with strong financial management experience.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and collaboration across various government sectors.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Would you like to join 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? Financial Management and Reporting (FMR) teams sit at the heart of the Scottish Government within the Financial Management Directorate, and provides monitoring and advice to support effective allocation and management of resources, and to maintain and enhance value for money. Finance Teams are the link with business areas, and so as well as your financial skills, communication and effective stakeholder relationships are essential. You will need to be adaptable and responsive to change, leading continuous improvement of the team as it evolves to maximise the benefits of new technology and policies. You’ll also need to have a flexible approach to any changing requirements, working in partnership with colleagues across other finance roles and the wider Scottish Government community.
Responsibilities
- Lead the budget monitoring output of your finance team, reinforcing the level of standard required, identifying improvements and supporting training needs.
- Support the continuous improvement of financial reports, ensuring they are of a high quality that uses compelling and persuasive language to influence and challenge areas and to assist budget-holders to make informed decisions.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues across the Financial Management Directorate, in business areas, and bodies to work effectively together to deliver corporate financial exercises and provide professional advice on a range of finance topics.
- Support your Finance Team, leading by example to develop and coach them to ensure effective and efficient working with delegation as appropriate, with the aim of developing an effective and high performing team.
- Lead your Team’s contributions to the annual accounts and Provisional and Final Outturn, undertaking quality assurance of input in accordance with the corporate timetable.
- Supporting change arising from the implementation of Oracle Cloud, ensuring that sound budget monitoring principles and enhanced financial reporting are taken forward.
- As Finance Manager, you will lead a Finance Team with support from Assistant Finance Managers, and reporting to a Senior Finance Manager. You’ll be responsible for budget monitoring in relation to a specific part of the Scottish Government, enabling senior officials to make informed decisions based on timely and high-quality financial information.
Qualifications
The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified (or equivalent) with up-to-date CPD.
Success Profile
Technical / Professional Skills
- Government Finance - Practitioner Level
- Budgeting, Forecasting and Costing - Practitioner Level
- Business and Organisation - Working Level
- Finance Profession Capability Framework
Experience
Strong financial management experience with the ability to identify, generate and interrogate financial data to support decision making.
Behaviours
- Leadership – (Level 3)
- Communicating and Influencing - (Level 3)
- Making Effective Decisions - (Level 3)
- Working Together - (Level 3)
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot
How To Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 30th June however this may be subject to change.
About Us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits.
Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Finance Manager employer: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Detail:
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Scottish Government's financial management practices and policies. Understanding their approach will help you align your experience with their expectations during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles within the Scottish Government. They can provide insights into the team dynamics and what specific skills are valued, which can give you an edge in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlighting your ability to develop and coach others will resonate well with the responsibilities of this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in financial technology, especially regarding Oracle Cloud. Being knowledgeable about these tools will demonstrate your adaptability and readiness to support the team's transition.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Finance Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is crucial. Use it to provide specific examples of your financial management experience, leadership skills, and ability to communicate effectively. Make sure to address each of the skills and behaviours listed in the Success Profile.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your CCAB qualification (or equivalent) and any relevant continuing professional development (CPD). This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining your professional knowledge and skills.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, take the time to proofread your CV and supporting statement. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your documents are well-structured and easy to read. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
Make sure to highlight your strong financial management experience during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used financial data to support decision-making and improve budget monitoring.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Share instances where you've developed or coached team members, and how you fostered a high-performing environment. This will show your capability in leadership and team dynamics.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and persuasive manner. Prepare to discuss how you've built strong relationships with stakeholders and influenced decisions through your communication skills.
✨Be Adaptable to Change
The role requires a flexible approach to changing requirements. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated changes in previous roles, particularly in relation to new technologies or policies, such as the implementation of Oracle Cloud.