Job Description

As Management Accountant you will be responsible for the production and reporting of the monthly financial position and for providing an accurate monthly forecast annual outturn position for all budget areas to inform operational and strategic decision making. The post holder will lead the annual and quarterly budgetary cycles and subsequent budget revisions, working with budget holders to identify cost pressures and areas for improvement.

The main duties would be:

• Manage the month end accounting and reporting process and work with the management accounts team and transaction teams and other units/sections to deliver accurate financial reporting information in line with timetables.
• To lead the production of the monthly management accounts and investigate and report on significant budgetary variances, advising on the necessary remedial action and monitoring the implementation of these actions, supporting the financial management of functions and projects and key cost drivers at the Organizations consolidated level.
• Manage the annual and quarterly budget process including the production of key data and financial analysis in line with timetables. Maintain the organization’s budgeting and forecasting information, updating and tracking any changes as required and ensuring that all funding requirements have been accurately and comprehensively recorded, obtaining sign off as appropriate.
• Support senior managers and budget holders by providing specialist advice on key strategic financial management issues including capital accounting, VAT compliance, budgeting and forecast outturns, financial planning and risk management.
• Responsible for capital accounting in accordance with the relevant IFRS accounting standards, policies and procedures. Liaising with business partners to ensure accurate profiling of capital budgets, valuations, impairment review and balance sheets classification.
• Responsible for the management of the Fixed Asset Register (Real Asset Management: Asset 4000) ensuring that all capital assets are accounted for appropriately, providing accurate monthly and annual financial reports including fixed asset additions, disposals and verifications.
• Responsible for ensuring the integrity of the capital expenditure incurred and implementing any internal or external audit recommendations.
• Collaborate with the Financial Accountant to produce timely and relevant monthly financial and management reports to the EMT, ARC, Board and the Scottish Government.
• Be a key point of contact for Management Accounts team and other Finance staff, providing support and guidance on financial management including budgeting and forecasting.
• Collate, analyze, and present appropriate financial data for information and decision-making purposes as required e.g. Pay Remit, VAT returns, unit costing, Freedom of Information requests, Scottish Government returns.
• Ensure finance guidance documents are accurate, up to date and are in line with best practice.
• Provide an overview on capital spend across the organization
• Undertake investment appraisal as required
• Support the preparation and delivery of the year end accounts and provision of supplementary accounting information.
• Work with others within the Organization and outside agencies to continuously improve service provision and make suggestions for improvements to systems and processes.
• Assist in the development of and presentation of a Financial Training programme for all staff involved in Finance.
• The role may have some line management responsibilities so the post holder may need to manage, support, and develop a small team
• Any other ad-hoc duties commensurate with the role/grade

Essential
Leading and communicating

• Experience of managing a team, with the ability to communicate complex issues simply and effectively to a range of audiences

Collaborating and partnering

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate the strategic implications of complex financial issues

Analysis and making effective decisions

• Strong analytical skills - able to provide constructive challenge, identify opportunities for improving and streamlining processes, and encouraging colleagues to think innovatively in order to make improvements.

Delivering value for money

• Demonstrates a commercial, financial and sustainable mind set to ensure all activities and services deliver added value. Works collaboratively to ensure that the Organization delivers its strategic outcomes within the resources available.

Delivering a quality service

• Ability to work across teams, planning and driving forward longer-term work whilst managing shorter term demands to deliver to deadlines, and leading teams to deliver high quality outputs under pressure.

Demonstrating commitment and drive

• Adaptable and willing to review role and priorities to meet the current and future needs of the organization. Demonstrable ability to think strategically about financial management issues.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Membership of a CCAB professional body (or equivalent). Competent in the use of finance systems. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and Word.Experience in a senior finance role within public sector providing effective professional advice.