Technical Standards Adviser - Accountancy Services

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career as a Technical Accountancy Advisor within our specialist Accountancy Services team in Financial Management Directorate. Financial Management Directorate supports Ministers and senior officials across the public sector make sound decisions about the allocation and management of resources. In doing so, we deliver a range of financial management, compliance, and reporting roles to help the organisation to manage and govern around £50 billion of public spending.

The team operates separately from operational finance teams, but works closely with finance professionals across the Scottish Government, wider finance networks, UK Government and devolved administration counterparts, and with Audit Scotland and the wider audit community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Applying technical accounting knowledge to support and escalate solutions to complex accounting issues emerging in the Scottish Government or elsewhere, including engaging with auditors.
• Supporting key finance stakeholders in relation to correct accounting and budgeting treatments by providing ‘relevant authority’ support across Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB) related activities.
• Supporting the Technical Accounting Lead to provide clear and succinct technical advice to finance colleagues across the Scottish Government.
• Supporting the Technical Accounting Lead to conduct thematic reviews and addressing implications of new accounting standards and changes to the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).
• Ensuring that key internal accounting policies remain up to date, identifying areas of improvement on accounting and budgeting issues, and promoting consistent application across the Scottish Government.
• Establishing and supporting a virtual team of key stakeholders to ensure that fiscal implications of the UK public expenditure framework are factored into decision-making.
• Supporting financial reporting projects, including Whole of Government accounts and Scottish Public Sector accounts and other transparency developments.
• Working in and across teams flexibly on a project-basis and supporting technical development of staff across the Finance Profession.

Qualifications Required:

The successful candidate must be fully CCAB or CIMA qualified (or equivalent) with up-to-date CPD.

Technical / Professional Skills:

• Understanding International Accounting Standards - Expert
• Understanding the role of Audit - Expert

Experience:

• Technical financial accounting skills and ability to communicate financial information clearly and succinctly to a wide range of audiences, including to non-finance colleagues.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use information from multiple sources to inform decision making and identify areas for improvement.

Behaviours:

• Developing Self and Others (Level 3)
• Communicating and Influencing (Level 3)

How To Apply:

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for week commencing 30 June however this may be subject to change.

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, 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. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Equality Statement:

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