Senior Financial Reporting Accountant

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ); Bristol; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK is seeking Senior Financial Reporting Accountants to provide accounting expertise supporting impactful policy decisions. The role entails ensuring compliance with financial standards, engaging with auditing bodies, and leading the preparation of annual financial reports. Candidates should possess strong IFRS knowledge and the ability to build relationships across departments. This position offers substantial opportunities for professional growth and contributes directly to the UK's clean energy goals.

Benefits

Flexible working options

World-class pension

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS and government financial reporting.
• Experience in applying IFRS in Government contexts.
• Expertise in consolidation or auditing of financial statements in Central Government.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across Financial Accounting and Reporting issues.
• Ensure compliance with HM Treasury guidance.
• Engage with the National Audit Office to ensure efficient audit processes.

Skills

IFRS knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Excel proficiency

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIPFA or CIMA)

Partially qualified with commitment

Job description

Location

Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford

About the job

Job summary

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions? Do you want to have an impact on the UK and beyond? If yes, then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.

Here at DESNZ we are delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. Our work is helping ensure clean energy for all, keep bills down and seize the opportunities to lead the world in new green industries, taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.

Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are bold, we are collaborative, we are inclusive, and we learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive.

We offer great working benefits including a world‑class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see Civil Service People Plan and Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Find Out More

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/pqUhdr3L72

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/

Job description

We are looking for up to 3 Senior Financial Reporting Accountants to take up interesting and challenging roles providing accounting expertise to support the Department and its Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs), contribute to the Department’s delivery of the Core and Group Annual Report & Accounts, and support the production of the Whole of Government Accounts return. The roles sit within the Financial Reporting and Financial Accounting Teams which are responsible for delivering the DESNZ Group Annual Report and Accounts and a clean audit to a pre‑summer recess timetable. This means that roles in the team centre on providing technical accounting advice, delivering high quality financial reporting, improvements to our operational finance processes and consolidation of accounts from DESNZ Arm’s Length Bodies, all in line with HM Treasury’s Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Successful candidates will need to develop excellent working relationships with Finance Business Partners, Finance Managers, contributors to the Annual Report, and Finance colleagues in Arm’s Length Bodies. There will also be a need to engage with the National Audit Office (NAO) to provide robust evidence and assurance for our accounting processes and transactions. The successful post‑holder will be able to deliver at pace, in support of departmental objectives, acting as the focal point for technical accounting and system queries, and provide timely and consistent advice in often complex areas of Government Finance. They will make effective decisions in providing sound guidance on the application of International Accounting Standards/International Financial Reporting Standards (as interpreted by HM Treasury in the Financial Reporting Manual), to ensure the Core and Group accounts are free from error.

Person specification

Key responsibilities for the roles will vary but may include:

• Providing expert leadership across Financial Accounting and Reporting issues, including specific accounting advice under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IAS).
• Ensuring that all aspects of the accounts production process are consistent with HM Treasury guidance and specifically the requirements of the FReM.
• Build responsive working relationships with Arm’s Length Bodies and internal stakeholders to ensure submission of accurate financial data on time, with fully evidenced and agreed accounting judgements, liaising with the National Audit Office as required on planning and arising issues.
• Engaging with the National Audit Office to ensure that the audit process runs efficiently and effectively.
• Lead elements of the preparation/consolidation/production of DESNZ’s Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), ensuring compliance with the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and IFRS.
• Lead in‑year consolidation exercises as required, ensuring accurate group‑level eliminations and adjustments. Working with a diverse array of stakeholders to ensure that we apply technical accounting concepts accurately.
• Close collaboration in support of directorate objectives and improvements in ways of working, including Finance Business Partners, sponsorship teams, those in Arms Length Bodies, and HM Treasury.
• Support the production of Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) returns and other statutory reporting requirements as required.
• Confident leadership of staff members and assigned areas of expertise, deputising for G6 where required, directing workload and supporting the wellbeing and development of staff.

As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.

Essential Criteria

Skills and Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIPFA or CIMA) or partially qualified and committed to qualifying within a reasonable timeframe.
• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS and government financial reporting requirements.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills, including the ability to explain complex financial issues to non‑specialists.
• Navigating complex departmental governance to deliver finely tuned judgements under time‑pressure.
• Building capability and influencing change beyond team boundaries.
• Excellent Excel and presentational skills.

Experience

• Experience of applying/advising on application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Expert knowledge of application of IFRS/IAS in Government.
• Involvement in the process of consolidation or auditing of financial statements in Central Government / public sector.

Desirable Criteria

• Preparation or audit of Central Government or public sector financial statements.
• Knowledge of the WGA cycle from a Central Government departmental perspective.

Qualifications

Full or Part completion of CCAB or CIMA Accountancy qualification

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Delivering at Pace

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