This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) was established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non-ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from, the Scottish Government. Our primary concern is consumer protection – making sure that food is safe to eat; ensuring consumers know what they are eating and improving nutrition.
The Financial Accountant role sits in the Finance & Procurement Branch, responsible for delivering corporate functions of finance and procurement in Food Standards Scotland (FSS), to enable the organisation to deliver its statutory obligations and corporate priorities.
Are you a detail-driven Financial Accountant ready to make a real impact on business performance and decision-making? FSS is seeking a qualified accountant looking to take the next step in their accounting career where your expertise will help shape our success.
Responsibilities
- Manage the Financial Accounting team, ensuring that objectives are set, tasks are prioritised and capabilities within the team continue to be developed. Contribute to the annual branch business plan.
- Work with the Head of Finance & Procurement to develop and implement robust internal controls in line with the Scottish Public Finance Manual to deliver appropriate elements of the FSS scheme of delegation relating to use of finance systems (Oracle) and procurement cards.
- Manage the Accounts Payable & Receivable functions (including debt management), ensuring payments to suppliers within the Scottish Government (SG) 10 payment target and the invoicing service to customers are completed whilst ensuring the appropriate controls and reconciliations are in place.
- Manage the work for VAT returns, FSS fixed asset register, bank reconciliations, cash forecasting and drawdowns, ensuring all tasks are completed in a timely manner and that internal processes are fit for purpose.
- Oversee the production and publication of the quarterly disclosures under the Public Services Reform Act (PSRA) including the report for electronic procurement cards (ePC) Expenditure (over £500).
- Complete monthly account checks and balance sheet reconciliations to provide accurate and timely advice as well as reporting the financial reviews to the branch head.
- Prepare the Annual Accounts in line with the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and relevant Internal Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and ensure that they are signed off by the FSS Accounting Officer with subsequent unqualified audit opinion. Ensure that all disclosures are updated and produced in line with existing, updated and new standards. Produce FSS return for the Whole of Government Accounts.
- Work closely with the Finance Manager to review internal controls, systems and processes across both teams as well as capacity and capability of the finance function in FSS.
- Liaise with Audit Scotland to manage the completion of internal and external audits, and the subsequent implementation of any recommendations.
Qualifications
Proof of qualifications will be checked at the assessment stage.
This role is a permanent level transfer position
This post is based in Pilgrim House, Aberdeenand in line with our current ways of working, our team follows a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances.
How to Apply
Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B3 employees.
Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).
Vacancy closes at 11:59pm.
Selection Process
All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.
Informal discussions are to be confirmed.
Further Information
If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Iain.Blackmore@fss.scot
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
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