About the job

Job summary

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.  

Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.  

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us stronger and better at developing policy that reflects the needs of every community. We embrace different views and experiences and value the new perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.  

We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you! 

Job description

About the Group

Corporate Centre

The Corporate Centre Group delivers a wide range of corporate services to enable people at HM Treasury and many of the other organisations who form part of the Treasury Group (including the Government Internal Audit Agency and the Debt Management Office) to operate effectively and efficiently. We are a diverse group, both in terms of our professions and in our ways of working. Our colleagues are based across 3 sites in London, Darlington and Norwich. 

The Corporate Centre Group consists of a range of teams and is led by two directors (one of Finance and one of Operations); 

• Correspondence and Information Rights
• Finance & Commercial
• People & Capability
• Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
• Treasury Business Solutions
• Multisite Darlington Economic Campus team
• Exchequer Funds & Accounts team 

About the Team

As the Treasury's Finance Team, within the Corporate Centre Group, we have responsibility for providing sound financial management advice and high-quality accurate information for parliamentary control and public accountability purposes. We also cover counter fraud, risk and assurance. We are part of the wide Government Finance Function (GFF), which represents and supports around 10,000 members of the finance community across the civil service.  

Finance is made up of approximately 50 staff based across London, Norwich and Darlington sites. Finance is high on the agenda and provides the opportunity to influence the direction of the Department for the future.

This role is in the central Financial Accounting and Reporting Team (FAR). In addition to being HMT’s financial accounting Centre of Excellence, the team leads in the production of the consolidated accounts of the HMT Group manages several unique balances and transactions.

About the Job

The annual report and accounts (ARA) is central to financial accountability in the public sector. It enables Parliament and the public to understand and consider the value for money offered by public spending and, ensures Parliament can hold the government to account.

As Senior Financial Accountant (Systems) you play a key part in the accountability framework. You will produce HM Treasury Group’s ARA. You will handle and maintain the systems used to ensure high quality reporting.

You will be at the forefront of an exciting transformation project. You will identify and implement efficiencies and innovation into systems, processes, models and drive forward improvements in financial reporting.

HM Treasury has a number of arm’s length bodies (ALBs) within its group. This is an opportunity for you to gain experience working with these unique entities, set up to deliver government policy and financial stability.

You will collaborate closely with the NAO and other customers to ensure comprehensive and informed advice is provided. You will provide accountancy support for the group, advising arms-length bodies and internal partners on completing consolidation packs alongside any financial accounting treatment.

You will need to demonstrate excellent numerical and problem-solving skills as well as knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). You will have the capability to clearly explain your thinking both in writing and in person.

You will be tenacious in overcoming challenges and see your ideas through into action and delivery. You will also be a teammate with the skill to articulate a vision, engage and motivate people to deliver results. You will support the ongoing learning and development of staff and demonstrate dedication to inclusive team values.

The key accountabilities include:

1. You will lead on the interim and year-end preparation of the HM Treasury’s ARA and Whole of Government return, involving the consolidation for the department’s agencies, non-departmental public bodies, and companies.
2. You will lead on a transformation project, which will involve the implementation and configuration of a new consolidation system. Maintaining processes and procedures used in the consolidation project.
3. You will handle and maintain the systems used to create the ARA to ensure high quality financial reporting. Driving forward innovation to achieve efficiencies in the accounts production and consolidation process.
4. Lead on the preparation of counterparty eliminations and consolidation packs for HMT ALBs.
5. Liaise with external auditors over the completion of the audit of HM Treasury’s ARA.
6. Various ad-hoc projects that may come up during the year, for example data returns to the central team or other projects to improve processes and controls relating to accounting models, systems and balance sheet items.
7. Develop good relationships with a range of customers, including policy teams within HM Treasury, finance colleagues from arm-length bodies, Audit and Risk Committee, obtaining relevant information to sign-off and provide ad-hoc advice when appropriate.
8. Direct line management of one Range D (HEO) staff to assist in production of the Accounts and other work to support the Finance team, ensuring sufficient development opportunities are provided.

Candidate Drop-In Session 
 
We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time. 

24th May 2024 12:00-1300 Join the meeting now

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Ollie Lamb – ollie.lamb@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Person specification

We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.  

1. Evidence of the ability to drive forward efficiencies, innovation, and automation for continual improvement to financial reporting processes and reporting. Experience with Oracle Consolidation and Close software would also be desirable but not essential. (Changing and improving)
2. Experience of financial statements preparation and accounting for complex consolidations, including experience of applying IFRS. (Experience)
3. Strong numerical, analytical and MS Excel skills with ability to analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to help support decisions. (Managing a quality service)
4. Ability to work independently and handle a full workload at key times in the year to deliver priorities. (Delivering at pace)

The lead criterion is: Changing and Improving

If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,960, HM Treasury contributes £14,299 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 and Experience.

Recruitment Timeline 

• Closing date: 2nd June 2024
• Shortlisting: W/C 3rd June 2024
• Interviews:  W/C 17th June 2024

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline. 

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile. 

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

Location-Based Reserve Lists 

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a post immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be approached for roles in merit order according to the first preferred location stated on your application form. 

Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer. We would still encourage you to apply for other HM Treasury opportunities that you are interested in. If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or you are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances. 

Eligibility Statement  

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information. 

Individuals appointed to the Treasury Group will be subject to National Security Vetting. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out applicants will normally need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. A lack of UK residency in itself is not always a bar to security clearance but the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis using all information that can be obtained following a successful application. 

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.  

For many roles, security clearance is also required. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements of the role before they can be appointed. The level of security clearance required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)  

Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you.  

Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.  

These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting.  

If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.