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- Tasks: Support financial reporting and deliver annual accounts for the Scottish Government.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking division within the Scottish Government.
- Benefits: Professional development, strong support for growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to improve processes and build relationships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public finance while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must be fully CCAB qualified with up-to-date CPD.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you interested in playing a key role in delivering the Scottish Government’s flagship activities, directly supporting key financial reporting? This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career as a Financial Accountant within a corporate setting at the heart of the Scottish Government. You’ll be joining an innovative, forward-looking division with a vision to apply global best practice, and a commitment to support all staff to grow their professional knowledge, skills, and experience. This is a pivotal role requiring strong financial control, sound judgement, and the ability to provide clear, expert advice to stakeholders across the organisation.
You will play a key role in delivering the annual Consolidated Accounts and in supporting corporate financial exercises throughout the year.
Responsibilities- Support the preparation and delivery of the Scottish Government annual accounts.
- Coordinate external audit activities and prepare required schedules for consolidated annual accounts.
- Lead, support and line manage finance colleagues to ensure delivery of the team’s priorities, including driving improvements in balance sheet controls and processes as well as supporting further development of contingent liability reporting.
- Provision of accounting and financial management advice to stakeholders on a wide range of finance topics, increasing financial knowledge and capability across the Scottish Government.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders, both internal and external, whilst managing the timing and quality of information.
- Continuous review of processes and capabilities (within own team and of customers), seeking opportunities to improve effectiveness and understanding of the annual accounts and audit processes.
- Ensure integrity of transactions on financial systems, ensuring good controls and checks are in place to maintain accuracy.
- Support changes arising from the implementation of Oracle Cloud, in particular, contributing to the enhanced use of the Financial Consolidation and Close (FCC), and Non-Current Asset sub-modules.
- Produce high quality reports and insightful management information for Senior Managers.
- Ensure that the financial reporting systems, including the Non-Current Asset Register, support the timely and correct completion of financial management reporting, ensuring all reconciliations and other key controls are up to date.
The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified (or equivalent) with up-to-date CPD.
Success profilesSuccess profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills- Working with data in finance – Practitioner Level
- Government finance – Expert Level
- Business and Organisation – Working Level
- Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
- Making Effective Decisions – Level 3
- Working Together – Level 3
Financial Accountant employer: Scottish Government
Contact Detail:
Scottish Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the Scottish Government or similar roles. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial knowledge and the specific responsibilities of a Financial Accountant. We should be ready to discuss how we can support the annual accounts and improve processes.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our soft skills! Highlight our ability to communicate and influence stakeholders effectively. This role is all about building relationships, so let’s make sure we demonstrate that in our conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can tailor our approach based on the insights we gather from the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Accountant role. Highlight your CCAB qualifications and any relevant experience in financial reporting or government finance. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to the Scottish Government's financial activities. Keep it concise but impactful, and don’t forget to mention your commitment to continuous professional development.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your technical skills, especially in working with data in finance. Mention any experience you have with financial systems like Oracle Cloud, as this will demonstrate your readiness for the role and your ability to support changes effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Government
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Accountant, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial reporting. Brush up on key financial concepts and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've contributed to annual accounts or managed audits.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Building strong relationships is crucial in this role. Think of instances where you've effectively communicated with stakeholders or influenced decisions. Be prepared to share how you’ve provided expert advice and increased financial knowledge within your team or organisation.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The job description highlights the importance of reviewing processes for effectiveness. Come equipped with ideas on how you’ve driven improvements in financial controls or reporting processes in past positions. This shows your proactive approach and commitment to excellence.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Oracle Cloud
Since the role involves supporting changes from the implementation of Oracle Cloud, it’s beneficial to have a basic understanding of this system. If you have experience with similar financial systems, mention it! This will show your adaptability and readiness to contribute from day one.