Finance Manager

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an Agency of the Scottish Government, working in partnership with organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver safe and secure custodial services that empower offenders to take responsibility and to fulfil their potential. We employ over 4500 people in a diverse range of professions across our 13 prisons, Headquarters and the SPS College.

About the Role

The role of finance manager within HQ is to deliver financial support to the functions of a corporate directorate. The role will work as part of a team of Finance Managers, with line responsibility for associated finance staff. This position helps ensure the integrity of financial data for all HQ directorates and help deliver financial understanding and scrutiny across all levels of the directorate.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with Directors and their senior management to help deliver financial plans, sharing knowledge and ideas, providing input into not only business as usual but also ad hoc project work and business case build up. The finance manager will confidently share knowledge, ideas and drive forward the finance agenda of strong financial management, risk, accountability and governance.

This role lends itself to Hybrid working, in line with policy. While the main office location will be HQ there may be some travel to establishments to aid in the understanding of the operational issues.

Financial Management: Lead the directorate financial management, which includes preparation and submission of monthly variance reports, forecast outturns, and annual financial planning submissions. Attend regular meetings with Directors and their senior managers/budget holders to ensure accurate reporting of forecast spend, understanding wider implications and making recommendations where appropriate. Ensure that all procurement activities conducted by the establishment comply with Procurement policies and procedures.

Financial Reporting: Responsible for the management and reporting of month end processes including accruals, prepayments and reconciliations. Submission of the directorate year-end pack for inclusion in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Financial Planning: Plan and manage the annual financial planning exercise for the directorate. Support Directors and senior managers in their financial submissions; ensuring financial plans are aligned to the directorate/corporate strategy and annual delivery plans. Assist in the development of business case proposals prior to formal submission.

Project and Programme Management (PPM): An understanding of PPM which facilitates the monitoring of major projects within the directorate ensuring accurate reporting of forecasts, categorisation of spend, VAT treatment, profiling and the impact on current and future budgets. The post holder will also be involved in other areas of Directorate business helping to support diverse Projects that help both our routine business delivery, as well as contributing towards SPS achieving its Corporate Plan objectives.

People Management: Educate and train non-finance colleagues in SPS’ Policies and Procedures. Ensure that staff have the necessary skills to carry out their role. Drive forward finance training for finance/non-finance staff using motivational and leadership techniques. Aid in development of E band finance manager, with initial oversight of submissions.

About you

• Possession of a CCAB accountancy qualification, or in final year of qualification. Essential
• Financial management- Experience in the management of control accounts and financial reconciliations. Proficient in budget/forecast setting, management and analysis. Essential
• Financial Planning - Experience in the management of accounts payable and receivable ledgers, calculation of accruals and prepayments and variance analysis and understanding.
• Financial Reporting - Experience of report writing and briefing to inform organisational direction and delivery, using a variety of mediums.
• Business Improvement - Ability to assess and review information and recognise potential issues and the ability to interrogate and interpret financial/business data that will provide management information and support decision making.

Benefits on offer include (but are not limited to):

• An attractive Civil Service Pension – employer contributions of 27.1% to 27.9%
• Hybrid working policy – supporting flexibility in work arrangements
• Ongoing professional development
• Opportunity for progression
• Annual Leave – 34days rising to 42days
• Sick Pay
• Discounts on High Street stores, supermarkets and restaurants through our partners at Blue Light Card, Edenred and Civil Service Sports Council

For further information on this opportunity, including full job description, person specification, assessment process and to apply, please visit www.sps.gov.uk/careers.