Lead Financial Accounting Manager – RPA

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking a qualified financial professional to lead its financial accounts team. This critical role involves preparing the annual accounts report, managing audit processes, and providing technical accounting advice. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and experience in financial management within the public sector. Join us to drive efficiency and deliver high-quality financial services.

Qualifications

• Qualified and experienced financial professional.
• Highly developed planning and organisational skills.
• Strong oral and written presentational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production of the Accounts Report and Accounts (ARA).
• Manage the Client Liaison Schedule and accounts production timetable.
• Provide technical accounting advice and manage audit requirements.

Skills

Planning and organisation

Stakeholder relationship management

Oral and written communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

CCAB, CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Oracle/SOP

Job description

Location

National

Job summary

The 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 Defra’s 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 Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The primary objective of the teams is to deliver an audited RPA Accounts following completion of the interim and final audit exercise each year, provide technical accounting advice, and be the key point of contact for the external auditors, the National Audit Office (NAO).

Job description

The postholder will provide strong leadership, directly managing one colleague 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 RPA and the NAO, building relationships with others, managing the audit timetable and provision of audit evidence through to successful laying of the RPA Accounts.

The postholder will be the main point of contact with the NAO and 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 ARA for RPA, including working with Finance Business Partners (FBPs) to prepare the financial statements and collating information from other stakeholders in preparing the annual report.
•Working collaboratively with the group accounts team to consolidate with the group ARA.
•Managing the Client Liaison Schedule and overall accounts production timetable in line with group and parliamentary timescales.
•Working with the NAO, building relationships and taking the lead on the provision of audit evidence and sample requests to ensure the interim and final audits are completed successfully each year.
•Providing technical accounting advice and reviewing accounting papers, backed up by an in-depth knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and HMT guidance such as the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), Consolidated Budgeting Guidance (CBG) and Managing Public Money (MPM).
•Leading and supporting improvement activities in response to NAO Management Letter Points and audit opinions, to strengthen financial management across Defra group.
•Management of risks and issues in relation to the delivery of the ARA.
•Line management of one colleague.

Person specification

•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.
•Producing financial statements in a large public sector organisation.
•Working with auditors and managing audit requirements in relation to the annual report and accounts.
•Managing a project to challenging timescales.
•Preparing and reviewing accounting papers and providing detailed technical accounting advice based on knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards.
•Managing a geographically dispersed team and providing leadership for wider finance colleagues.
•Working with Oracle/SOP and related applications.

Qualifications

Fully qualified and experienced financial professional (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent).

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.