SDA Senior Qualified Accountant

Location

Barrow In Furness, LA14 1AF

About the job

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put out values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, there are many communities that you can belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

We appreciate you may not have worked in Defence but we are looking for a candidate who has worked at a senior level in finance, preferably within a large organisation, who has the transferable skills to undertake this role and to become a key part of our very supportive finance team.

Job description

This is a high-profile role offering significant scope, with responsibility across delivery, policy, strategic direction, and leadership. You will collaborate to solve challenges unique to our industry and, by linking with fellow minds and allies across the world, you will provide a significant contribution to our success. You will play an integral role within the Finance team, encourage a culture of imaginative thinking, learning from experience and driving for improved quality by challenging the status quo. All of this provides an important aspect which enables Project Managers to deliver on scope, to time and to budget and make informed strategic decisions. You will find yourself integrating with accomplished, multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders, engaging across several projects in the programme. The role ensures that project costs are rigorously controlled, and relevant financial and performance reporting requirements are met through the provision of specialist financial services.

Key Aspects:

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work alongside Submarine Build Capability Contract (SBCC) team and our Cost Assurance & Advisory Service (CAAS) to agree an Annual overhead amount and monitor our Industry Partner against this.
• Lead from a Finance perspective in joint SDA/Industry governance meetings, providing direction to the SBCC Hd and raising challenges on the VFM of costs
• Undertake a key role in Annual SBCC Cost Category reviews in order to drive cost consciousness and testing Appropriate, Attributable and Reasonable (AAR) principles
• Lead on the Programme Reporting within the team which would involve engaging three large work streams, including Submarine Enterprise Acquisition Capability (SMEAC) Barrow, SMEAC Raynesway and SMEAC Supply Chain to ensure monthly and long-term financial forecasting for the Programme is accurately presented with insightful commentary to empower stakeholder decision making.
• Lead on the collation of the Annual Budget Cycle from a Programme perspective working closely with the three work-stream finance teams to ensure Programme view of affordability is understood, support the production of the Programme Cost Review (PCR) Briefing Packs providing insightful narrative to enable stakeholder decision making.
• Work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders in providing technical accounting guidance, advising of key risks and ensuring the accuracy and robustness of reporting.
• Actively support audit and internal compliance.
• Advise on accounting and forecasting implications of policy and programme decisions.
• Liaise with Finance & Accounting (F&A) colleagues to ensure that VAT and FOREX treatment is correct.
• Provide key support to the business area to analyse, understand and report on financial performance against delivery schedules and targets, provide analysis of risks and opportunities, and working collaboratively to Stakeholder to provide financial evaluation of Programme Business Cases, returning feedback to the Heads of Department and Senior Finance Business Partner raising challenges on the VFM of costs.
• Monitor Programme Commitments and expenditure against approval and report any insights or issues to senior stakeholder.
• Advise on good financial management to contribute to good governance.
• Advocate and contribute to wider Finance Function responsibilities and activities whilst maintaining your CPD requirements.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team atcandidate@support.oleeo.com

Person specification

For this role, we are seeking the following:

• Ability to interpret and challenge data.
• Have extensive experience of working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate awareness of the bigger picture and its impact on the workforce.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong team working skills and a collaborative approach.
• Primary base would be BAES Barrow-in-Furness, however we operate a hybrid working environment where there is an expectation to attend site 60% of working week, however this may vary dependent on business needs.
• Please note, due to the security requirements required for this role, this post is for Sole UK Nationals only.

To be successful with your application you must demonstrate that you meet the following:

Essential Criteria for this role:

• Have significant post-qualified experience and knowledge in senior financial and management accounting techniques.
• Be able to demonstrate that you are an experienced leader, who can work on your own initiative and has had exposure to senior stakeholders,
• Qualified Accountant of the relevant accounting body and up to date CPD records. CCAB – Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (Membership of any of the below professional bodies)

• CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
• ICAEW – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
• ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• CIPFA – Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
• ICAS – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• Chartered Accountants Ireland, or International equivalent qualification, with full membership (with letters)

These criteria are Desirable, but not Essential:

• Clear and concise speaking, active listening and the ability to present information effectively.
• Ability to identify issues, analyse situation and develop effective solutions.
• Evaluate information, making reasoned judgements and drawing sound conclusions.
• The ability to adjust to changing circumstances, new challenges and different situations.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with others and work towards common goals.

Qualifications

CCAB – Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies

Behaviours

We\’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We\’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Cost Management – Expert
• Stakeholder Management – Expert
• Financial, Analysis, Management Information & Reporting – Expert

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Cost Management – Expert
• Stakeholder Management – Expert

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,900, Ministry of Defence contributes £18,222 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• ACivil Service pensionwith an employer contribution of 28.97%

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 18th August 2025

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.

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