Head of Financial Accounts

DEFRA is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. Defra group has a unique operating model delivering corporate services centrally to the core department (Core Defra) and four of its Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) Environment Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Natural England, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The Compliance and Financial Accounting Team lead on preparation of accounts for Defras ALBs, the core department (Core Defra) and the Defra group Accounts Report and Accounts (ARA). This is a critical role leading the financial accounts team which supports the core department (Core Defra).The primary objectives of the teams are to: deliver audited Core Defra Accounts following completion of the interim and final audit exercise each year; provide technical accounting advice; complete in-year Statement of Financial Position assurance; and be the key point of contact for the external auditors, the National Audit Office (NAO)., The postholder will provide strong leadership, leading a team of eight and more widely supporting other areas of finance and the business with financial accounting advice, direction and knowledge. The role requires close working with senior stakeholders (within finance and business areas) in the core department (Core Defra) and the NAO. The postholder will lead teams responsible for: the preparation and audit of the Core Defra Accounts, providing high quality technical accounting advice, in-year Statement of Financial Position assurance and the main point of contact with the NAO. The postholder will collaborate with ALB-facing accounts teams to help provide an effective group-wide financial accounting Centre of Expertise. Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to: -

• Leading the production of the core department (Core Defra) Accounts and working collaboratively with the group accounts team to consolidate Core Defra in the Defra group ARA.
• Supporting Defra Finance projects to ensure the Defra group ARA is laid pre-recess and without qualification.
• Working with the NAO, business areas and other areas of finance and their teams, building relationships and providing a high level of customer service.
• Providing high quality technical accounting advice and reviewing accounting papers, backed up by an in-depth knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and HM Treasury guidance such as the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and Managing Public Money.
• Management of risks and issues in relation to the delivery of the core department (Core Defra) Accounts and its impact on the overall Defra group ARA.
• Lead the team responsible for:
• Preparation of the interim and year-end Core Defra Accounts and the template for consolidating Core Defra into the Defra group ARA.
• Co-ordination and quality assurance of Core Defras interim and year-end audit sampling responses.
• Monitoring risks relating to the Core Defra Statement of Financial Position.
• Providing technical accounting advice to Core Defra, to both finance and non-finance professionals.
• Monitoring of key reconciliations.
• Be the key point of contact for technical accounting advice, queries and guidance, liaising with peers to determine the most appropriate accounting treatment for the core department (Core Defra), ensuring the approach is consistent across Defra Group.
• Lead the implementation of the Technical Accounting Centre of Excellence.
Initially this post is only Core Defra Accounts but its possible this will be expanded in future to cover other areas in the Compliance and Financial Accounting Team portfolio. Person specification, As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, Personal Statement (previous skills and experience) and four behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Your CV needs to demonstrate that you have undertaken similar roles and activities as shown in the job specification. In the Personal Statement (previous skills and experience section), you need to provide about 750 words max, showing that you have skills/experience relevant to the role. Sift Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture and candidates need to meet the required sift score for their application to be progressed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to a video assessment/interview. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Interview Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to a video assessment/interview (1 hour) that will consist of a blended interview of Behaviours and Strengths. A presentation or additional exercise relative to the role will also be assessed, further details will be given to candidates selected for interview. Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview. Reserve A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Location As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert (Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Leeds, London, Newcastle-upon Tyne, Peterborough, Reading, Warrington, Worcester, Worthing, York). The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s). Ad hoc travel to other office locations may be required. Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defras location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee. Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD. Merit Lists Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application. Salary New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. Visa Sponsorship Statement Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Criminal Record Check If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Reasonable Adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Internal Fraud Database Check Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. NSV For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting Higher Security Clearance Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter. All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. Childcare Vouchers Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups:
• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  Qualified and experienced financial professional (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent).
• Highly developed planning and organisational skills in a finance environment, with experience of delivery and meeting tight timescales.
• Able to think creatively and strategically to solve problems and manage risks.
• Adept at building strong stakeholder relationships, using your network to support delivery against your objectives.
• Strong oral and written presentational skills, with ability to explain complex financial issues to non-specialist audiences.
• An authentic and credible leader, with the ability to engage and motivate those around you and lead an inclusive culture.
• Ability to see change as a chance to drive efficiency and innovation; acting as an agent for change wherever you identify the opportunity to protect, drive and add value.
Qualifications
• Fully qualified and experienced financial professional (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent).
Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
  
  Alongside your salary of 65,430, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes 18,955 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.