Locations: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford

 

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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

 

The DESNZ Efficiency, Corporate & Reporting (ECR) team are looking for an outstanding finance professional with the required experience, skills and personal qualities to fill a Grade 7 Financial and Technical Accountant role. This is a pivotal role to provide 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 produce the Whole of Government Accounts return.

The role sits within the Financial Accounting & Reporting Team, one of three teams within the ECR team which sits within the Finance Directorate. The successful applicant will report to the Head of Financial Accounting & Financial Reporting.

The requirements of the role may evolve but are currently driven by the complex nature of some of our current and new accounting models, both within Core and Group ALBs.  The main function of the role will be to review and advise on technical accounting issues. This will require the post holder to develop excellent working relationships with colleagues, including Finance Business Partners and ALB contacts. 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 Financial and Technical Accountant will also be responsible for producing the Whole of Government Accounts return to HM Treasury, and where necessary, contributing to the preparation of the Department's Annual Report & Accounts - specifically to ensure adherence to guidance such as the Financial Reporting Manual, Managing Public Money and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

The successful post-holder will be able to deliver at pace, acting as the focal point for technical accounting queries and providing 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 and support the target of laying of unqualified Annual Report & Accounts pre-parliamentary recess.

Key responsibilities for the Financial and Technical Accountant role will vary but may include:

• Providing expert accounting advice under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IAS);
• Ensuring that all the technical aspects of the accounts production process are consistent with HM Treasury guidance and specifically the requirements of the FReM;
• Working with ALB finance colleagues and FBPs to ensure that we apply technical accounting concepts accurately, especially where there are differences with ALB treatment;
• Where appropriate, collaborate closely with HM Treasury colleagues on technical issues and cross Whitehall accountancy issues;
• Producing the Whole of Government Accounts return to HMT;
• Engaging with the National Audit Office, our external auditors. to ensure that the audit process runs efficiently and effectively;
• Any other relevant tasks which become due as required by the Department, especially in line with new accounting models.
  
  

Essential Criteria 

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIPFA or CIMA);
• Strong technical accounting skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with several teams;
• Effective communication and problem solving skills;
• Excellent Excel and presentational skills.
  
  

Experience

Experience of applying/advising on application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Desirable Criteria

• Preparation or audit of Central Government or public sector financial statements;
• Expert knowledge of application of IFRS/IAS in Government;
• Preparing the Department's Whole of Government Accounts return;
• Involvement in external audit cycles in Central Government/public sector.

 

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

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
  
  

Alongside your salary of £55,105, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £15,963 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
  
  

Office attendance

The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

 

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

 

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

 

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Job contact

• Name: Joannah Dobbie
• Email: [email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email: [email protected]