Assistant Management Accountant

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Chief Operating Officer Group works closely with the Home Offices policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the departments priorities.

The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Security, Estates and Information and Digital, Data and Technology.

The Finance Directorate ensures that financial decision making across the department is robust, evidence based and aligned to public value. We work closely with policy, operational commands and corporate partners to support strategic planning, strengthen financial governance, and enable effective delivery of departmental priorities.

The Management Accounts Unit (MAU) sits at the centre of this mission. MAU enables confident, well evidenced decision making by producing accurate, timely and transparent management information that explains the financial position, highlights risks and opportunities, and supports leaders in making informed, accountable decisions. As a core part of the Home Offices financial governance system, MAU provides monthly management accounts, dashboards, forecasts, deep dives, scenario analysis, and financial insight that directly shape how the department allocates resources, handles budgets, and responds to operational pressures. Working in MAU means contributing to a high performing, fast paced and purpose driven environment where your analysis supports essential public services and national priorities.

As an Assistant Management Accountant, you will own key month end processes, maintain strong financial controls, deliver high quality reporting, and provide clear insight that supports senior leaders in managing budgets and taking informed financial decisions. You will work closely with Finance Business Partners (FBPs), operational teams, and colleagues across finance to maintain a single version of the truth and strengthen financial governance.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated finance professional who enjoys analytical work, problem solving, and improving how things are done. It is well suited to someone who wants to deepen their financial expertise and play a visible role in supporting senior colleagues across a fast-paced Department.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Controls & Assurance

Ensure Metis (finance system) data integrity through proactive checks, reconciliations and variance investigation; lead core month-end activities; oversee purchase-to-pay governance and ageing accruals. Prepare and approve complex journals, escalating issues in accordance with policy and controls.

Reporting & Insight

Produce high-quality narrative for board packs and budget reporting, explaining variances, trends and issues. Identify risks, opportunities; and maintain registers with clear ownership, monitoring, and timely corrective action.

Forecasting & Budgeting

Engage with business areas to understand cost drivers and forecast changes. Support budget and forecast preparation, system loading, and reconciliation to budget allocations and control totals. Contribute to profiling, adjustments, and budget transfers, ensuring compliance with corporate deadlines.

Stakeholder & Customer Support

Act as the primary escalation for Metis queries, guiding users on reporting and processes, building strong relationships with FBPs and operational areas. Communicate complex financial information clearly and accessibly to diverse range of stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement

Enhance reporting via automation, standardisation, reducing manual effort whilst upholding MAU standards.

Line Management

The role may also include some line management responsibilities.

Working Pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 4 days/32 hours per week due to business requirements.

Travel

Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings.

Essential criteria

• Ability to maintain the integrity of financial data through strong controls, reconciliations, and issue resolution. Support forecasting and budgeting with accurate, reconciled, audit‑ready submissions.
• Strong analytical skills, able to interpret financial information, explain variances, identify risks, opportunities in a clear and meaningful way.
• Experience delivering month-end and in-year financial activities, including preparation and approval of evidence‑based journals meeting required standards and controls.
• Good working knowledge of financial systems, reporting tools and Excel, strong analytical skills using Excel and finance systems to interrogate data, troubleshoot issues, produce clear, financial analysis and stakeholder reporting.
• Clear, confident communication skills, able to translate financial information into concise, jargon-free narrative for non‑finance colleagues at different levels.
• Ability to work collaboratively across finance and operations, supporting Executive Officers, partnering with Senior Executive Officers and FBPs to deliver a high‑quality service.
• A continuous improvement mindset,driving streamlined processes, standardised user‑focused reporting and controls.

Desirable criteria

• CCAB, CIMA or AAT qualified, part qualified or currently studying.
• Significant financial experience gained over an extended period of time.