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Scottish Government; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) seeks a qualified Financial Accountant to lead the Financial Accounting team and provide expert accounting advice. Based in Aberdeen, the role covers annual accounts, VAT, cash forecasting, and treasury activities.

The post emphasizes robust internal controls and timely financial reporting to support statutory obligations and priorities. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Head of Finance & Procurement and liaise with Audit Scotland to implement

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with strong financial accounting background.
• Experience delivering internal controls and governance.
• Ability to lead financial reporting across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Financial Accounting team and set objectives.
• Develop and implement internal controls per SPFM guidance.
• Prepare annual accounts and disclosures for audit.
• Oversee VAT, asset registers, reconciliations, and cash forecasting.
• Coordinate audits with Audit Scotland and address recommendations.

Skills

Financial accounting

Internal controls

Team leadership

Stakeholder comms

Education

Chartered accountant

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Location - This post is based in Pilgrim House, Aberdeen but the post holder can be based at another SG Building.

Closing Date - 16th October 2026 at 23:55

Job ID - 4797

Employment Type - Permanent

Overview:

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) was established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non-ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from, the Scottish Government. Our primary concern is consumer protection – making sure that food is safe to eat; ensuring consumers know what they are eating and improving nutrition.

The Financial Accountant role sits in the Finance & Procurement Branch, responsible for delivering corporate functions of finance and procurement in Food Standards Scotland (FSS), to enable the organisation to deliver its statutory obligations and corporate priorities.

Are you a detail-driven Financial Accountant ready to make a real impact on business performance and decision-making? FSS is seeking a qualified accountant looking to take the next step in their accounting career where your expertise will help shape our success.

The post holder will lead the Financial Accounting team in providing and implementing robust financial internal controls and you will act as the primary source of financial accounting advice and expertise for the organisation.

The post holder is also responsible for key areas of the business including the preparation of the annual accounts, charging model, treasury functions (cash and banking) and accounts payable/receivable.

Main Duties:

• Manage the Financial Accounting team, ensuring that objectives are set, tasks are prioritised and capabilities within the team continue to be developed. Contribute to the annual branch business plan.
• Work with the Head of Finance & Procurement to develop and implement robust internal controls in line with the Scottish Public Finance Manual to deliver appropriate elements of the FSS scheme of delegation relating to use of finance systems (Oracle) and procurement cards.
• Manage the Accounts Payable & Receivable functions (including debt management), ensuring payments to suppliers within the Scottish Government (SG) 10 payment target and the invoicing service to customers are completed whilst ensuring the appropriate controls and reconciliations are in place.
• Manage the work for VAT returns, FSS fixed asset register, bank reconciliations, cash forecasting and drawdowns, ensuring all tasks are completed in a timely manner and that internal processes are fit for purpose.
• Oversee the production and publication of the quarterly disclosures under the Public Services Reform Act (PSRA) including the report for electronic procurement cards (ePC) Expenditure (over £500).
• Complete monthly account checks and balance sheet reconciliations to provide accurate and timely advice as well as reporting the financial reviews to the branch head.
• Prepare the Annual Accounts in line with the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and relevant Internal Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and ensure that they are signed off by the FSS Accounting Officer with subsequent unqualified audit opinion. Ensure that all disclosures are updated and produced in line with existing, updated and new standards. Produce FSS return for the Whole of Government Accounts.
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to review internal controls, systems and processes across both teams as well as capacity and capability of the finance function in FSS.
• Liaise with Audit Scotland to manage the completion of internal and external audits, and the subsequent implementation of any recommendations.

Further Information:

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].