Financial Accountant in Cardiff

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 7th May 2026.

Location: Beverley, Cardiff, Southampton and current MCA employees may remain at their current locations (This role is suitable for hybrid working).

Salary: £44,241 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Financial Accountant to join the Corporate Services. The MCA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, providing multiple statutory functions as flag, port and coastal State and delivering international obligations for search and rescue, environmental protection and responding to major maritime incidents. The Finance function is a key enabler for the Agency to ensure we can deliver against this remit, managing an annual budget of approximately £500m.

As the Financial Accountant you will report to the Head of Financial Accounting and will be responsible for the external financial reporting processes for the Agency including the production of the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) and Department for Transport consolidation packs, working with finance colleagues and auditors to agree accounting treatments as necessary. You will play a key role in balance sheet accounting and contribute towards the yearly budgeting cycle but also have a key input into the medium‑term financial planning and any Spending Reviews.

• Ensure finance processes are compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) requirements and the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).
• Produce financial statements, notes and narrative in line with IFRS and FReM requirements, and present to stakeholders.
• Produce quarterly consolidation packs for submission to DfT colleagues, ensuring returns are consistent with internal reporting.
• Work closely with diverse stakeholders across the audit period, ensuring progression of annual reports and accounts in agreed timescale.
• Support continuous improvement and transform financial systems and data to meet stakeholder needs.
• Provide technical accounting advice and guidance to stakeholders and support business managers in complex situations, contributing to future business strategies.
• Ensure non‑current assets are correctly recognised, componentised and reported, and interpret impact to financial reserves and government accounting.
• Ensure any technical accounting adjustments are accurately assessed with supporting information to underpin management decisions.
• Ensure the Agency’s leasing arrangements are correctly accounted for in line with IFRS16 Leases requirement.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days).
• 8 bank holidays plus an additional privilege day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24‑hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work‑life balance.

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Relevant experience in a financial accounting or financial control role.
• Highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Highly proficient with Excel and able to deal with large datasets, including creating financial models, with a strong ability to analyse the outputs, using this analysis to inform decision making and advise management if required.
• Qualified or part‑qualified, under one of the main five consultative committees of accounting bodies (CCAB) – ACCA, CIPFA, ICAEW, ICAS, CIMA or equivalent with relevant experience.

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.