Management Accountant

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

Production of the monthly management accounts, including investigating and reporting on significant budgetary variances, advising on the necessary remedial action and monitoring the implementation of these actions.

Management of the annual financial planning process including coordinating submissions and reviewing financial plans to ensure high quality budget setting and monitoring.

Providing support and guidance to Finance Managers and budget holders, including providing specialist advice on key strategic financial management issues such as: budgeting and forecast outturns, financial planning and risk management, capital accounting, and delegations.

Preparing materials for and attending meetings with Finance Managers on a monthly/quarterly basis.

Assist with completion of the SPS statutory accounts in accordance with the relevant IFRS accounting standards, policies and procedures. This includes assisting with completion of the asset notes (including reviewing and authorising asset forms) and preparation of the financial performance disclosures.

Completion of all regular financial submissions for Scottish Government, including reporting on the monthly corporate budget position and forecast out turn, preparation of the Autumn & Spring Budget revisions and budget profiling.

About you

• Membership of a recognised professional accountancy body e.g. ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA.
• Experience of coordinating and managing budgets, with the ability to constructively analyse, scrutinise and challenge financial plans, including providing guidance and support to a wide range of staff in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Previous management experience within a Finance function with the ability to successfully manage people ensuring all tasks are completed within required timescales.
• Experience in supporting the production of statutory accounts under IFRS, including preparation of supporting schedules.

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.