Senior Finance Officer in London

The Defra group has a unique operating model delivering corporate services centrally to the core department (Defra) and four of its Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) – Environment Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Natural England (NE), and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The Compliance and Financial Accounting (CFA) Team leads on preparation of accounts for Defra and its ALBs. The role will support the implementation of the new ERP system, which is due to go live in February 2028.

The role requires close working with stakeholders, building relationships with others, managing the timetable to deliver the successful implementation of the ERP system. The postholder will also support the Compliance and Financial Accounting Team with business-as-usual activities.

Along with supporting the implementation of the new ERP system, the postholder will widely support other areas of finance and the business with financial accounting advice, direction and knowledge. The role may require close working with senior stakeholders (within finance and business areas).

Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• ERP SYSTEM
  • Support the stages required to implement the new ERP system.
  • Local design phase: refine the Common Design to meet their specific operational needs.
  • Build phase: configuration starts, data preparation intensifies, and we move from design on paper to a working product.
  • System integration testing: test all processes end-to-end, checking that data flows correctly, that integrations operate seamlessly, and that the system behaves as expected.
  • User acceptance testing: support real life users of the system. Identify and deliver training.
  • Cutover phase: complete data migration cycles, readiness checks, and all the operational planning needed to ensure the transition from the old system to the new ERP is safe and controlled.
  • Provide information to process owners to support attendance at meetings with other departments to ensure Defra’s position is considered.
  • Working with other departments to align accounting policies and processes.
  • Co-ordinating responses from subject matter experts where required.
  • Learn and adapt Defra’s position from the issues encountered by other departments that have already gone through these phases.
  • Reviewing documentation and provide meaningful comments.
• ACCOUNTING
  • Covering substantive technical financial accounting roles where required.
  • Supporting the production of annual reports and accounts (interim and year-end) and working collaboratively with the group accounts team.
  • Providing high quality technical accounting advice and reviewing accounting papers, backed up by an in-depth knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and HM Treasury guidance.
  • Supporting the management of risks and issues in relation to the delivery of annual reports and accounts and its impact on the overall Defra group ARA.
  • Monitoring of key reconciliations.
  • Be a point of contact for technical accounting advice, queries and guidance.
• OTHER
  • Line management of others.

Person specification

• Fully qualified and experienced financial professional (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent).
• Planning and organisational skills in a finance environment, with experience of delivery and meeting tight timescales.
• Able to think creatively and strategically to solve problems and manage risks.
• Adept at building strong stakeholder relationships, using your network to support delivery against your objectives.
• Strong oral and written presentational skills, with ability to explain complex financial issues to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to engage and motivate those around you.
• Ability to see change as a chance to drive efficiency and innovation; acting as an agent for change wherever you identify the opportunity to protect, drive and add value.
• Knowledge and understanding of government finance.

Behaviours

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions