Agency Head of Finance in Kilwinning

Do you want to join the Agency’s senior management team and help improve the lives of those in problem debt? An opportunity for a qualified accountant to come join the Agency, to run our Finance Team and support the Chief Executive on all budgeting and accounting matters – taking the lead for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts, managing the exchange of financial information with the Scottish Government, overseeing our banking and financial systems: including those linked to 50,000 statutory debt products as the Agency helps individuals escape from unsustainable debt.

Responsibilities

• Lead and Manage the finance function, engaging and collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
• Support the Chief Executive by attendance at Board and Audit Committee, providing professional technical accounting and budgeting reports as required.
• Support Agency colleagues in assessing costs and benefits of both policy and operational developments, and in the finance sections of business and corporate planning documents.
• Prepare the Annual Report and Accounts in accordance with the FReM and other accounting guidelines and regulations.
• Work with Scottish Government colleagues to provide required financial information, and support the Chief Executive in budget negotiations.
• Liaise with Audit Scotland and Internal Audit, on both the annual accounts and audit activity, throughout the year, and provide comments and management responses on draft audit report.
• Present complex financial information clearly both verbally and in writing to support organisational decision making.
• Maintain the operation of the Agency’s bank accounts and financial systems and ensure that there are effective and robust internal financial controls in place across the Agency.
• Maintain financial data and processes within our case management systems to ensure accuracy and proper recording of all financial transactions between AIB systems, external customers and suppliers.
• Embed a learning culture throughout teams to ensure staff have the necessary skills and are developed and motivated, driving improvements in systems and controls.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified with up to date CPD and relevant post qualified experience in an accountancy environment.

Success profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. The Success Profile will include the Professional / Technical skills, Experience and Behaviours.

Technical / Professional Skills:

• Understanding of international Accounting Standards (Expert)
• Understanding of Government Accounts (Expert)
• Understanding the role of Audit Scotland (Expert)

Experience

• Experience of implementing or managing effective, sustainable change, modifying and improving behaviours.
• Highly effective leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate with a range of staff and stakeholders.
• Strong planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a diverse workload and team; able to adapt to changing situations and managing competing priorities.

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Bigger Picture (Level 4)
• Delivering at Pace (Level 4)

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 8th June 2026 however this may be subject to change.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits.

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Further information can be found on our Careers Website. Apply before 23:59 on 26th May 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only. External candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy.