Financial Accountant (Ref: 92288)

DEPARTMENT NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICEPOST VACANT SEO - Financial AccountantLOCATION Belfast or LondonDURATION Two year loan or Fixed Term Appointment with the possibility of a thirdSALARY Salary scale: Inner London - 47,657- 52,040 National - 41,463- 45,276Inclusion and diversityThe Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.We particularly welcome applications from Minority Ethnic (ME) candidates, as they are under-represented within the NIO at this level.The Northern Ireland Office strives to be an inclusive employer and is recognised by its staff and externally as being an employer where Diversity and Inclusion are valued.We hold a Diversity & Inclusion Charter Mark and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader organisation.In March 2018 we won the award for Best Employer for Diversity & Equality in Northern Ireland (small employer category) in a Gala Award ceremony hosted by Legal-Island, a multi-award winning workplace compliance company based in Northern Ireland.We have an active D&I network supporting colleagues through D&I Advocates, championed by our Directors.We want all our people to feel valued for who they are and we are confident that you will find the NIO a warm, welcoming and inclusive place to work.What we doBackgroundThe Northern Ireland Office represents Northern Ireland interests at a UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. We have a wide range of responsibilities, including: underpinning political stability in Northern Ireland; overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement; leading on national security policy in Northern Ireland; addressing the legacy of Northern Irelands past; delivering elections and constitutional reform in Northern Ireland; playing a key role in rebalancing the NI economy; representing NI interests, including on the border with Ireland, as the UK exits the EU. Our small size and diverse portfolio create a stimulating, fast-paced and challenging working environment, with regular engagement with a range of Ministers and senior officials. We support flexible working and have a modern, flexible IT system which helps enable this.ABOUT THE ROLE:The Northern Ireland Office is seeking to recruit a Financial Accountant to sit within the Financial Accounts and Reporting team. The Finance Accounts and Reporting Team lead on all statutory financial requirements within the NIO, and support a number of the NIOs Arms Lengths Bodies (ALBs). Additionally the Finance team are leading a transformation programme to better deliver our finances and maximise value to the business. This transformation will put finance at the heart of business decision making, driving greater understanding, control and value for money across the organisation. This role will support the transformation through the review, design and implementation of new financial systems, processes and controls supporting statutory requirements and that ability for the business to draw upon accurate financial data to facilitate decision making.The role will be responsible for the key element of the Financial Account processes reporting to the Head of Financial Reporting and Accounting. The successful candidate will take on key responsibilities as part of the production of the annual reports and accounts, support the provision of financial schedules to support year end audit. The role will lead on the NIOs input into the whole of Government Accounts (WGA) and provide support to the forecasting of the departments cash position and managing it within budgetary limits, oversight of VAT and providing wider financial support & advice across the organisation.The post is based within the Corporate Operations Group in the Northern Ireland Office, a high performing and responsive team that provides high standards of corporate services to support the delivery of the NIOs objectives and deliver Ministerial priorities.KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: Support the production of financial statements including notes to the accounts, commissioning and collating information required for the accounts Lead elements of HMT and Cabinet Office reporting, while providing support to the accounts team for key functions including banking, and VAT. Lead the production of the NIOs Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) submission. Support the Head of the Financial Accounts Team on the relationship with National Audit Office and external auditors during external audit of the ARA, ensuring a good working relationship, excellent communication and delivery of on-time and accurate financial and other information Liaising with colleagues throughout the department to obtain audit evidence, including review to ensure the quality and ease of use of the evidence provided to the NAO Providing technical accounting advice, acting as subject matter expert on the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), Managing Public Money, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and Cabinet Office spending controls Support the NIOs relationship with AccountNI, the provider of the NIO accounting system. Supporting the continuous improvement of business and financial control processes and helping build and develop financial capability and professionalism both inside the function and across the business.ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:1. Level 4 qualification with AAT, CCAB or CIMA.2. Demonstrable experience of design and implementation of new financial processes and controls.3. Experience of building positive and effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and having a credible impact with senior colleagues.4. Demonstrable experience of supporting the delivery of the annual accounts production process.DESIRABLE CRITERIA:1. Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent (ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS, Chartered Accountants Ireland) or Working towards qualification. Experience of building positive and effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, and having a credible impact with senior colleagues.2. Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to comprehend complex technical information and distil it into a format that is widely understandable.Please Note: please upload a suitability statement of no more than 1000 words setting out how you meet the essential and any applicable desirable criteria. BEHAVIOURS:We will assess you against the following Success Profiles behaviours: Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Communicating and influencingMore information on Behaviours and Success Profiles can be found here.The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience, and technical knowledge. Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.As part of the application process you will be asked to submit a CV and personal statement of suitability. Your personal statement of suitability (maximum 750 words) should outline how you meet the essential/desirable criteria. Applications will be sifted on CV and Statement of Suitability.The interview will consist of behaviour and technical skills questions.SECURITY CLEARANCE Security clearance to SC level is required for this post.ELIGIBILITY SIFT An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore important that all applicants demonstrate in their application how and to what extent their behaviours are relevant to the above criteria. Those candidates who do not clearly demonstrate that they meet the experience and behaviours will not be invited to interview.PAY AND ALLOWANCES The successful candidate will adopt the terms and conditions of the NIO for the length of their appointment. Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post.FURTHER INFORMATION Further information about the post may be obtained from the Head of the Financial Accounts Team via e-mail to [email protected] You can apply for this post through the Civil Service website at: civilservice.gov.uk. Once logged onto the site go to the civil service jobs page and then search for jobs in the Northern Ireland Office where the application form can be found.Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview.Home Civil Service applicants who, because of disability, need assistance in completing the application form should contact MoJ Shared Services on 0845 010 3512.All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment.Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following interview.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFurther information about usWe are a small and friendly department of approximately 170 staff. Due to our size we are able to offer staff more exposure to ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting, though often challenging, work environment.Other BenefitsThe NIO offers a pleasant, modern work environment which allows consideration of a range of flexible working arrangements which support a good work/ life balance. These include flexible/ alternative working patterns, part-time and job-share ...