Public Sector Financial Reporting and Accounting Manager

The UK member firms of Grant Thornton are part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, made up of some 76,000 in over 150 countries. We are a team of independent thinkers who put quality, inclusion and integrity first. All around the world we bring a different experience to our clients. A better experience. One that delivers the expertise they need in a way that goes beyond. Personal, proactive, and agile. That’s Grant Thornton.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our successful Public Sector team in what is an exciting and innovative role. In this role, you would have the opportunity to work across our Public Sector Financial Reporting team and our Public Sector Financial Reporting and Accounting Support team.

Our successful Public Sector Financial Reporting team provides training, guidance, technical assistance and quality assurance to support the UK’s largest public sector external audit practice to deliver high quality audits which provide assurance to the public and wider stakeholders and add value to the public sector organisations we work with.

Our growing Public Sector Financial Reporting and Accounting Support service provides direct support to non-audit finance teams with challenges that they face in relation to technical accounting, financial reporting and wider finance function support. We recognise the challenges faced by many of the public sector finance teams as they try to balance financial stability whilst dealing with increased complexity, regulatory and accounting changes, placing pressure on capacity within teams. Through the above service we aim to provide specialist support to these organisations.

This innovative role gives the successful candidate the opportunity to utilise their financial reporting and accounting knowledge to directly support audit teams deliver quality audits and also directly support public sector organisations with the challenges that they face.

Our Financial Reporting and Financial Reporting and Accounting Support teams sit within the Public Sector Audit and Assurance practice. Our UK audit practice is built of over 2,300 people working across 24 locations, led by Wendy Russell and supported by 50 audit partners. We’re really proud of the strong position our audit practice is in from a wellbeing, resource and quality perspective, the latter of which is shown through our recent positive AQR results. Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals. Our tailored and responsive approach provides the expertise our clients need, enabling them to grow and make the right decisions about their future.

Our Public Sector Audit team of over 470 people works with some of the country’s largest NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Public Sector bodies. Our financial reporting teams expand the work that we do from an assurance perspective beyond audit, building on the reputation and profile the firm has from its audit service, thought leadership and insight.

Our size and culture allows us to give you more opportunities within your career. You will have more responsibility for client outputs and more variety in the work you take on and the clients you work with, from NHS to Local Government. You can develop your career in a way that works for you, and the firm, and we’ll support you with development programmes and opportunities along the way.

The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, whether that’s reduced or condensed hours, job shares, we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. Everyone in the firm is encouraged to work in a hybrid way. Our framework for how we work underpins our approach, giving us all the confidence to make decisions that work for us, and our teams.

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential. Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm.

The role as a manager working across our Public Sector Financial Reporting (FR) and Public Sector Financial Reporting and Accounting Support (FRAS) teams will provide you with the opportunity to support the quality of audits and support clients directly with some of the major challenges they face.

• Critically review draft public sector financial statements to support audit teams and manage risk.
• Draft responses, and act as consultee, on complex or unique financial reporting queries.
• Lead on the drafting of internal guidance and training materials.
• Present, or support presenters, at both internal and external events.
• Contribute to the firm’s responses to technical consultations.
• Keep up to date with current professional debates.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with our audit teams.
• Work closely with your colleagues in our Financial Reporting and Audit Quality teams.

• Be responsible for a number of non-audit clients.
• Use problem solving skills to work with clients to solve complex technical matters.
• Take opportunities for wider team responsibilities through training and pitching new projects.
• Oversee and develop your team to the highest standard.
• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with your team and our clients.
• Constantly strive to push yourself, and the business, further, knowing you are supported at every stage.

Joining us as a manager, the minimum criteria you will need is:

• Professional Accounting qualification (CIPFA, ACA, ICAS, CA or ACCA).
• Post qualification experience either in the delivery of External Audit to Local Authorities and Health bodies or from within a Local Government or Health finance function.
• Excellent grasp of IFRS accounting standards and their implementation in the public sector to respond to client accounting queries.
• Excellent knowledge of financial reporting in the public sector.
• Project management experience.
• Business development experience would be beneficial.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves.