Financial Accountant in Edinburgh

Joining SCTS means that you are joining an organisation that plays a key role in the administration of justice. We fulfil our purpose by providing the people, buildings and services needed to support the judiciary, the courts, devolved tribunals and the office of the public guardian (OPG). Our work focuses on improving access to justice, reducing delay and cost within the justice system, modernising our services in line with reform, and using leading technology to improve our services for everyone.

Outline Of The Role:

As Financial Accountant, you will support the Senior Financial Accountant and contribute to the delivery of effective financial accounting services for the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service (SCTS). Working as part of the Finance and Procurement team, you will assist in ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with relevant accounting standards and procedures.

You will play an important role in supporting the preparation of the SCTS Annual Report and Accounts, assisting with the production of financial statements, reconciliations, and supporting documentation. The role also involves working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to maintain robust financial controls, support audit requirements, and contribute to the continuous improvement of financial processes.

This position offers the opportunity to develop technical accounting expertise while contributing to the delivery of high-quality financial information that supports effective decision-making across the organisation.

Please note that it is an essential requirement for candidates to have a recognised qualification in accountancy, finance or a related discipline; an AAT qualification; or equivalent relevant financial accounting experience, together with a willingness to study towards a recognised professional accounting qualification.
The Key Responsibilities Include:

• Maintain the Non-Current Asset Register (NCAR) and oversee capital accounting arrangements, ensuring accurate asset recording and compliance with accounting standards and financial reporting requirements.
• Support the preparation, coordination and production of the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), ensuring accuracy, quality and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the primary contact for external auditors, coordinating audit activity, managing audit queries and supporting the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Support compliance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM), Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and relevant accounting standards, providing technical accounting advice across the organisation.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring the completeness, integrity and accuracy of financial records.
• Contribute to the continuous improvements within the Finance and procurement unit by reviewing processes, strengthening controls, enhancing reporting, and promoting efficiencies through best practice and system improvements.
• Organise and facilitate technical accounting working groups, ensuring emerging accounting issues are identified, assessed and communicated appropriately.
• Prepare financial information required for the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) return, ensuring completeness and accuracy of submissions.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with business areas and key stakeholders, providing financial advice, guidance and support to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade of the post, including providing support to Finance Business Partners and the Head of Financial Governance where required.

To help direct us towards achieving our purpose successfully, we embrace three key values of respect, service and excellence. These guide our behaviour, decisions and actions - in pursuit of fulfilling our purpose to the highest standard.

Our Benefits Include:

• Flexible working arrangements

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 2 years’ service) plus 12 public and privilege holidays

• Special leave and paid leave for study or voluntary public service

• Excellent Civil Service Pension Scheme

• Family friendly policies

• Free and confidential Employee Assistance

• A variety of staff discounts and offers with major retailers

• Payment of professional membership fees

• Access to opportunities across all Civil Service departments that are not available to non-Civil Servants

• A supportive and professional induction programme with regular check-ins with your line manager

• Job stability and security with excellent and varied career prospects

• Security of full pay when unwell (up to a maximum of 6 months)

• Learning and development (including digital) opportunities

Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on the closing date stated on the advert, Sunday 15 November 2026.

Interviews will be held week commencing 30 November 2026.

Candidates invited to interview will be expected to undertake an additional assessment, details of which will be given in the interview invite.

About SCTS

SCTS is committed to equality and diversity in employment and service delivery. The work of SCTS covers a broader range of issues than you may think. In providing support to Scotland’s courts, devolved tribunals and the OPG, we touch the lives of many people on a daily basis – be that through formal court or tribunal business, fulfilling your civic duty as a juror, paying fees or fines, seeking help in managing the affairs of an incapable adult or dealing with the estate of a loved one who has passed away. SCTS deals with over a quarter of a million cases and applications each year. Behind each one of these is an individual – looking to the system to help them assert their rights, address wrongs or provide support in a time of need. It is this work – which takes place every day in our courts, tribunals and administrative centres across Scotland – that consumes most of the time, energy and skill of our staff. We take pride in working as one team and providing high levels of service to all those who use the courts, tribunals and OPG.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is exempt from the protections of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This permits us to ask applicants details of both spent and unspent convictions, along with details of any formal cautions that you may have. Individuals without existing security clearance will always be considered as all successful applicants will require a standard level Disclosure check completed before employment can commence.

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting us at recruitment@scotcourts.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.