Finance & Accountancy Adviser

Lorien; City of Edinburgh, Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 84,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Lorien is recruiting an experienced Finance & Accountancy Adviser for a key public sector client. The role provides specialist financial advice across reporting, governance, annual accounts, audit activity and longer-term planning.

You will assess existing processes, drive improvements and provide senior-level support to Boards and Audit Committees. The position suits a qualified accountant who can work independently in a hybrid Edinburgh/Glasgow environment, with a 12-month term and potential

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant status (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA/ICAS or equivalent).
• Experience in public sector finance and governance is required.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial management skills.

Responsibilities

• Review and assess existing finance, accounting and reporting processes.
• Evaluate financial reporting arrangements and recommend improvements.
• Support development of financial controls, governance and reporting standards.
• Prepare and support annual accounts in line with accounting standards.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors.
• Produce monthly financial reporting and management information.
• Support reporting to Boards and Audit Committees.
• Manage lease accounting, including IFRS16 requirements.
• Develop financial models to support planning and forecasting.
• Support annual budget setting and longer-term strategy development.
• Deliver analysis and reporting on financial performance and key metrics.
• Provide coaching to finance staff and support capability development.
• Assist with ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting needs.
• Experience within complex governance environments and WGA helpful.

Skills

Budgeting & Forecasting

Financial Modelling

Advanced Excel

Governance & Reporting

Stakeholder Communication

Independent Working

Audit Coordination

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS or equivalent)

Tools

Oracle Financials

Job description

Lorien are supporting a key public sector client for an experienced Finance & Accountancy Adviser to provide specialist financial advice and support across financial reporting, governance, annual accounts, audit activity and longer-term financial planning.

This role will suit a qualified accountant who can operate independently, assess existing finance processes and controls, deliver practical improvements, and provide senior-level financial support to stakeholders, Boards and Audit Committees.

• Start Date: December 2026
• Duration: 12 Months (potential 12 month extension)
• Location: Edinburgh / Glasgow Hybrid
• Commitment: 56 Days Across 12 Months
• IR35: Inside IR35
• Rate: Up to £525/day

Key Responsibilities

• Review and assess existing finance, accounting and reporting processes
• Evaluate financial reporting arrangements and recommend improvements
• Support ongoing development of financial controls, governance and reporting standards
• Prepare and support annual accounts in line with relevant accounting standards and guidance
• Coordinate and liaise with internal and external auditors
• Produce and review monthly financial reporting and management information
• Support reporting to Boards and Audit & Risk Committees
• Manage financial elements of lease accounting, including IFRS16 requirements
• Develop and maintain financial models to support planning and forecasting
• Support annual budget setting and longer-term financial strategy development
• Deliver analysis and reporting on financial performance and key finance metrics
• Provide coaching and guidance to support capability development within the finance function
• Support ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting requirements
• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS or equivalent)
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial management experience
• Excellent technical accounting skills
• Extensive experience preparing year-end accounts and supporting external audit
• Monthly management accounts and financial reporting experience
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability
• Experience presenting financial information to senior stakeholders
• Ability to work independently in a changing environment whilst managing competing priorities
• Experience developing or coaching finance staff
• Public sector finance experience
• Oracle Financials knowledge
• Experience working within complex governance environments
• Knowledge of government budgeting cycles
• Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) experience