At a Glance
- Tasks: Support key financial reporting and deliver annual accounts for the Scottish Government.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking division within the Scottish Government.
- Benefits: Professional development, diverse work environment, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with innovative financial systems and improve processes.
- Why this job: Be part of a pivotal role that enhances financial knowledge across the organisation.
- 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.
- 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 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
- Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
- Making Effective Decisions – Level 3
- Working Together – Level 3
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Financial Accountant employer: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
As a Financial Accountant within the Scottish Government, you will thrive in a dynamic corporate environment that prioritises professional development and innovation. Our commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning ensures that you will have ample opportunities to enhance your skills while contributing to impactful financial reporting that supports the nation. Join us in a role where your expertise will be valued, and your contributions will directly influence key government activities.
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 understanding of government finance. We want to show that we’re not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in the role and its impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable talking about your experience and how it relates to the job. We need to be ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
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 relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially in financial reporting and stakeholder management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your achievements in finance and how they align with our vision at the Scottish Government.
Showcase Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your CCAB qualification and any ongoing professional development. We want to see that you’re committed to growing your skills and knowledge in finance.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Accountant, it's crucial to be well-versed in financial reporting and accounting principles. Brush up on the latest standards and regulations relevant to government finance. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in relation to annual accounts and audits.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role requires strong relationship-building skills. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Highlight your ability to influence decisions and provide expert advice, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
The job involves reviewing processes and seeking improvements. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented changes that enhanced financial controls or reporting accuracy. This shows you're proactive and committed 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 its functionalities, particularly the Financial Consolidation and Close (FCC) module. If you have experience with similar systems, be ready to share how you adapted to new technologies in your past roles.
