Finance Accountant
Environmental Standards Scotland
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) is an independent corporate body, directed by a Chair and Board. ESS is a Non-Ministerial Office, part of the Scottish Administration, and employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website Home - Environmental Standards Scotland.
ESS was established by the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, which received royal ascent in January 2021. ESS was established and gained its statutory functions and powers on 1 October 2021.
ESS has been set up to ensure environmental laws and standards are adhered to in Scotland, replacing the European Union’s scrutiny and enforcement role after Brexit.
The remit of ESS covers a broad range of environmental law, including all aspects of environmental protection and harm, particularly in relation to human beings and their enjoyment of the environment.
ESS’ role is to scrutinise, investigate and secure improvements in public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of environmental law, and the way it is being implemented and applied in Scotland.
The body has published a Strategic Plan, setting out how it will operate and function, including how it will act objectively, impartially, proportionately and transparently. ESS is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the effective performance of its functions.
The organisation will carry out its role by:
- monitoring information about the quality of the environment in Scotland and the effectiveness of environmental law, including representations brought forward by citizens and interested groups
- seeking information from public authorities, including the Scottish Government, and working with the public authorities to understand the background to regulatory policies and practices
- selecting a small number of cases for detailed investigation, prioritising cases where there is the greatest risk to the environment
- working with public authorities, where necessary, to seek to agree changes in practice to reflect environmental law, or develop advice on recommended changes to the law to improve its effectiveness
Job description
As the only Financial Accountant within ESS, you will ensure the organisation maintains accurate accounts and records which meet the high regularity and propriety standards expected of a public body. You will lead on the annual accounts and related external audit requirements, alongside ongoing financial reporting requirements across the year. For example: update reports to the Executive Team and Board; attendance and reporting at Audit and Risk Committee meetings; reporting to Scottish Government on staffing and lease arrangements; and medium and long-term financial projections.
You will also lead on streamlining ESS’ finance functions, implementing action plans and improvements in response to need, alongside audit actions arising from external and internal reviews. For example: the development of ESS’ annual budget; the implementation of an ongoing review of ESS financial accounting policies; ensuring compliance of related processes and controls with the latest accounting standards and guidance; and supporting the on-boarding of the new Oracle finance system (due to take place on 1 October 2024).
You will report directly to the Head of Corporate Services and Communications, with support from the Business and Finance Manager (responsible for the operational delivery of ESS services) and two Business Support Officers (all of whom work across a range of services). There are no current line management responsibilities. Learning and development opportunities are also available as set out below.
What will the successful candidate be doing?
This is a key role within the Corporate Services and Communications team. You will work with the ESS Board, colleagues and stakeholders, across all levels, to assist with the work of ESS. You will need an eye for detail and the ability to be creative in your approach to challenges, alongside being proactive in seeking to continuously improve existing processes and procedures.
Person specification
Key duties and responsibilities will include:
- planning for and preparing ESS’ annual accounts in accordance with the SPFM, the FReM and other accounting guidelines
- supporting the development and reporting of ESS’ annual budget
- assisting in the co-ordination of the annual external audit and liaising with external and internal reviews
- continuously reviewing and implementing opportunities to raise reporting standards and improve operational effectiveness and consistency through process, technology and/or people capability development
- assessing ongoing current and future organisational challenges through finance scoping and profiling, and supporting the general longer-term ESS financial strategy development
- using initiative to address novel issues and resolve the root cause of financial situations which may arise
- providing (or supporting the provision) of financial reporting to the ESS Board, Audit and Risk Committee and Scottish Government, ensuring all reconciliations and other key controls are up-to-date
- supporting ESS with the move from the current finance system (SEAS) to a new Scottish Government shared service finance system (Oracle Cloud) on 1 October 2024, to ensure ESS’ needs are being met and factored into planning
- supporting the development of robust business processes, providing guidance and support in accordance with recognised best practice to deliver positive outcomes
- supporting the gathering and analysis of finance related PMIs
- working with the ESS Corporate Services and Communications team to develop effective services. For example, coaching to build professional expertise
Essential Criteria
- Excellent understanding and experience of budgeting and financial management processes and reporting.
- Excellent technical accounting skills and solid, comprehensive experience in compiling year-end financial accounts for external audit. You will also have solid experience in monthly management accounts preparation.
- Strong financial modelling skills using applications such as Microsoft Excel.
- Proven ability to work on your own initiative, coping with the demands of a fast changing environment where opportunities need to be quickly realised, whilst managing competing priorities and ensuring deadlines are met.
- Effective communication and presentation skills, with evidence of presenting complex information to senior managers.
Desirable Criteria
- Good knowledge of SEAS / Oracle and the Scottish Government’s procurement process.
- Knowledge of the Scottish Government budgetary cycle.
- Practical experience of using Oracle Financials.
- Experience of completing the Scottish Government Consolidation and Whole of Government Accounts packs.
Qualifications
Professionally qualified accountant – CCAB professional accountancy body or equivalent with up to date CPD (candidates who are at an advanced stage in studying towards a professional accountancy qualification will also be considered).
Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact the recruiting manager named at the bottom of the advert to discuss.
Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Communications & Engagement
- Analysis & Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Self Awareness
Benefits
Benefits
ESS is a small organisation focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, and that can work as part of a small multidisciplinary team.
In return, we offer a competitive employment package, including the civil service pension and a strong commitment to investing in each member of our teams personal and professional development. We also offer opportunities to work on some of the most significant and meaningful environmental challenges facing us today and the chance to play a part in helping to improve the quality of the environment for the people of Scotland.
As a new organisation we are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability and your CV .
If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.
Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
The Skills for Success Competencies required for this role are shown below. You will be tested against these competencies at interview.
- Communications & Engagement
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Self Awareness
In addition to setting out information on your work experience, please submit a personal statement (no longer than 1,250 words) explaining why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion. You should aim to use approximately 250 words per criteria.
Sift and Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.
We would wish, where possible, to hold interviews in person. This will be managed in a safe and appropriate way within the ESS offices at Thistle House in Edinburgh.
If an alternative virtual interview is required, we will ask all applicants to ensure that they have a suitable space to complete the online interview. In addition, a personal device of choice that can access MS Teams will be required, alongside access to personal Wi-Fi/Broadband that has capacity to carry both audio and video feeds.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Alasdair Dewar, Business and Finance Manager
- Email : Alasdair.dewar@environmentalstandards.scot
Recruitment team
- Email : enquiries@environmentalstandards.scot
