About the job

Job summary

About the job:

DEFRA is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Defra group has a unique operating model delivering corporate services centrally to the core department and four complex Arms Length Bodies – Environment Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Natural England, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. 

The Compliance and Financial Account Team lead on preparation of accounts for Defra’s Arm’s Length bodies, the corporate centre and Group accounts.

This is a critical role leading the financial accounts team which supports the Environment Agency (EA). The team’s primary objective is to deliver the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) and completion of the interim and final audit exercises each year.

Job description

This is a critical role leading the financial accounts team which supports the Environment Agency. The team’s primary objective is to deliver the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) and completion of the interim and final audit exercises each year.

The post holder will provide strong leadership, directly managing a team of seven colleagues and more widely supporting finance group with financial accounting advice, direction and knowledge relevant to the Environment Agency. The role requires close working with the National Audit Office (NAO), building relationships with our audit team and managing the audit timetable and provision of audit evidence through to successful laying of the accounts. Experience of working in an audit role previously or supporting large audit exercises,

Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Leading the production of the ARA for the Environment Agency and working collaboratively with the group accounts team to consolidate with the group ARA
• Managing the Client Liaison Schedule and overall accounts production timetable in line with group and parliamentary timescales
• Working with the NAO, building relationships and taking the lead on the provision of audit evidence and sample requests to ensure the interim and final audits are completed successfully each year
• Providing technical accounting advice and reviewing accounting papers, backed up by an in-depth knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and HMT guidance such as the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), Consolidated Budgeting Guidance (CBG) and Managing Public Money (MPM)
• Leading and supporting improvement activities in response to NAO Management Letter Points and qualified audit opinions, to strengthen financial management across Defra group
• Management of risks and issues in relation to the delivery of the ARA and the EA balance sheet

Person specification

Essential Experience and Skills:

• Producing financial statements in a large public sector organisation
• Working with auditors and managing audit requirements in relation to the annual report and accounts
• Accounting for fixed assets and capital
• Managing a project to challenging timescales
• Reviewing accounting papers or providing detailed technical accounting advice based on knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards
• Managing a geographically dispersed team and providing leadership for wider finance colleagues
• Working with Oracle/SOP and related applications

Qualifications:

• Fully qualified accountant - a professional finance qualification is essential for this role
• Qualified with CCAB,CIMA or equivalent

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,120, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £14,072 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and four behaviour statements.

The candidate's CV needs to demonstrate they have undertaken similar roles and activities as shown in the job specification.

In the previous skills and experience section, the candidate needs to provide about 500 words showing that they have skills/experience relevant to the role.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Behaviour, Delivering at pace and candidates need to meet the required sift score for their application to be progressed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to a video assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

Candidate successful at sift stage will be invited to a video assessment/interview (1hour 25 mins) that will consist of a blended interview of Behaviours and Strengths.

A presentation or additional exercise relative to the role will also be assessed, further details will be given to candidates selected for interview.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.

All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations. Candidates will need to state their region preference on the application form so we can advise appropriate office locations.

If you are successful in your application and your base working location is London, a higher level of Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC) will be required for the London office at 2 Marsham St, London.

Therefore, confirmation of appointment to the advertised post will be dependent upon successful CTC clearance being confirmed as part of pre-employment checks. 

Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

Reserve

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Salary

Existing Civil Servants moving on level transfer will retain their current salary or move onto the pay range minimum, whichever is the higher. Staff moving on promotion will have their pay increased by 10% or move onto the pay range minimum, whichever is the higher. As a general rule allowances and supplements will not be recognised.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Higher Security Clearance 

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.