Navy Command Head of Financial Reporting and Accounting

UK Ministry of Defence; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth as Head of Financial Reporting and Accounting. Lead a team in delivering accurate financial outputs, engage with stakeholders, and ensure compliance with financial policies. Enjoy a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Personal & professional development

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Qualifications

• Experience in leading high performing finance teams.
• Ability to collaborate with various stakeholders.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial reporting and analysis.
• Engage with stakeholders on complex issues.
• Lead team and ensure compliance with financial policies.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

CCAB / CIMA

Job description

Portsmouth

Job Summary

Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) in Whale Island, Portsmouth, is the nerve centre of the Naval Service. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, people, aircraft and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy.

The NCHQ supports all the Royal Navy’s activities from front-line operations to personnel support and training, finance and governance; safety; equipment acquisition; programmes and planning; and Defence Engagement. Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines, from finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning and managing contracts, to media and communications.

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled and motivated individual to join the finance leadership team at Navy Command as Head of Financial Reporting and Accounting. The successful candidate will lead their team in the delivery of timely and accurate outputs which includes provision of clear advice, guidance and direction to senior stakeholders within the Navy and MOD.

This role is at the forefront of financial reporting for Navy, managing the production and review of financial accounts with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to quality. It provides critical analysis and interpretation of financial data, delivering insights that inform senior managers and decision-makers. Providing reports to the Audit Committee and other key stakeholders which highlight key issues, risks, and opportunities, ensuring that the financial health of the organisation is clearly communicated.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting and Analysis - Manage the production and review of financial accounts, ensuring quality and accuracy. Provide critical analysis and interpretation of financial data for senior managers and decision-makers. Draft reports for the Audit Committee and other key stakeholders, highlighting key issues, risks, and opportunities
• Stakeholder Engagement - Engage with Strategic Head Office, auditors, and other stakeholders to provide updates on material or complex issues. Act as a liaison between Navy Command, Head Office, and auditors on accounting policy. Work closely with Commercial as the Navy finance lead for procurement related matters.
• External Reporting - Manage external reporting outputs, including responses to Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Ensure compliance with accounting standards and financial policies
• Continuous Improvement - Share best practices and refine standardised processes across the MOD finance function. Seek feedback on services provided and continuously strive to improve service provision
• Team Leadership - Empower, motivate, and coach team members to enable effective delivery. Support individual development and leadership skills within the team
  
  

We are seeking a skilled and motivated individual to join the finance leadership team at Navy Command as Head of Financial Reporting and Accounting. The successful candidate will lead their team in the delivery of timely and accurate outputs which includes provision of clear advice, guidance and direction to senior stakeholders within the Navy and MOD.

This role is at the forefront of financial reporting for Navy, managing the production and review of financial accounts with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to quality. It provides critical analysis and interpretation of financial data, delivering insights that inform senior managers and decision-makers. Providing reports to the Audit Committee and other key stakeholders which highlight key issues, risks, and opportunities, ensuring that the financial health of the organisation is clearly communicated.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting and Analysis - Manage the production and review of financial accounts, ensuring quality and accuracy. Provide critical analysis and interpretation of financial data for senior managers and decision-makers. Draft reports for the Audit Committee and other key stakeholders, highlighting key issues, risks, and opportunities
• Stakeholder Engagement - Engage with Strategic Head Office, auditors, and other stakeholders to provide updates on material or complex issues. Act as a liaison between Navy Command, Head Office, and auditors on accounting policy. Work closely with Commercial as the Navy finance lead for procurement related matters.
• External Reporting - Manage external reporting outputs, including responses to Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Ensure compliance with accounting standards and financial policies
• Continuous Improvement - Share best practices and refine standardised processes across the MOD finance function. Seek feedback on services provided and continuously strive to improve service provision
• Team Leadership - Empower, motivate, and coach team members to enable effective delivery. Support individual development and leadership skills within the team
  
  

Person specification

The Successful Candidate Will

• have experience in leading high performing finance teams in the delivery of a range of financial outputs in complex organisations.
• an ability to collaborate really effectively with a range of different internal and external stakeholders.
• have a proven commitment to continuous improvement with demonstrable experience of challenging and improving business processes and systems.
• demonstrate excellent analytical skills including review and challenge of a range of financial submissions.
• have experience of providing complex technical accounting advice and guidance.
• have a commitment to continuing professional development.
  
  

Qualifications

CCAB / CIMA

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

Alongside your salary of £59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other Benefits For Navy Command Civil Servants Include

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes.
• Bicycle / season ticket loans.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year.
• 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%
  
  

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to up-skill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree. Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months - 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement. (500 Word Count)

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV, Statement of suitability and the following:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

At Interview, You Will Be Assessed Against The Following

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
  
  

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Lindsay Bell
• Email : [e-mail]
• Telephone : [phone]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [e-mail].