Job Description

Job Category: Operational, Professional & Managerial
Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree
:
Job title: 1005-393 Peatland Action Assistant Accountant | Grade: D | Hours: 35 | Vacancy type: Permanent | Location: Scotland, home and hybrid working considered. | Closing date: 13 July 2025 | Internal Interviews: 5th August 2025 | External Interviews: 12th August 2025 | Salary: 38,616 to 42,906
Job purpose summary
Reporting to the Business Support Accountant, you will support the Head of Peatland ACTION and Strategy and other non-finance colleagues in NatureScot with financial management of the Peatland ACTION programme.
Context
NatureScot's Peatland Programme delivers actions to care for Scotland's peatlands. It is integral to the government's determination for peatland protection, restoration and management to reduce carbon emissions and contribute wider benefits for biodiversity, water management and green growth. The Peatland Programme covers the requirements under the Scottish Government ring-fenced Peatland ACTION support for restoration and the wider NatureScot work on valuing, protecting and managing peatlands.
NatureScot has dual role on Peatland ACTION:

• providing leadership on shared services/business solutions across all five Peatland ACTION delivery partners (NatureScot, the two National Parks, Forestry & Land Scotland and Scottish Water); and,
• increasing the pace/scale of peatland restoration projects on the ground.

The NatureScot Peatland ACTION role is expanding in support of the government's 10 year, 250m commitment for restoration. It has an annual budget of ~20m and comprises over 60 posts employed/supported by NatureScot.
The role
The role will provide key financial support to our growing Peatland ACTION programme. The focus will be on financial review and analysis, including:

• Work with Managers and Funding Officers to lead production and review of monthly budgets, forecasts and cash flows for all Peatland ACTION work streams for budget totaling 21m in 2025/26
• Perform secondary review of forecasts produced by the Peatland ACTION Funding Team
• Support production of Programme Plan budget with the Head of Peatland ACTION Programme and Strategy and Peatland Programme Officer - Governance and Coordination
• Review budgets and forecasts produced as appropriate for reporting internally and to Scottish Government
• Work with the Green Finance Manager developing an appropriate method of calculating, recording and monitoring the Carbon Credit liability and ensure appropriate accounting treatment is used
• Support production of PA staff cost forecast for headcount of approximately 50 FTE and reconcile to payroll records regularly
• Compare actual spend to budget and cash flow forecast and challenge discrepancies with budget holders throughout the year
• Targeted financial analysis as required to support the Peatland ACTION Programme
• Provide support to Governance and Coordination Team on financial matters where appropriate
• Support the Head of Finance, Planning & Performance Team and internal audit to ensure that NatureScot financial controls are applied to Peatland Action

Skills (Please refer to these in your supporting statement).

• Direct experience of providing advice on public sector financial regulations
• Experience of supporting complex programmes of work and the production of robust business cases and rolling financial forecasts using best practice
• Up to date accounting knowledge and skills and desirable to have or be working towards Professional accountancy qualification (CCAB or equivalent)
• Familiar with the general functions and statutory duties of NatureScot, and the Peatland Action Programme
• Excellent communication skills with a collaborative and inclusive work style, ability to clearly explain financial issues to non-financial staff, an effective ambassador for finance both within NatureScot and externally
• The ability to collaborate and work with others including non-financial colleagues in the application of finance policies and internal controls
• Experience and understanding of financial management
• A proactive and flexible approach, able to respond positively to changing requirements
• Excellent IT skills including knowledge of MS Office suite, particularly MS Excel.

Prerequisites

• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract

NatureScot's Net Zero commitment
Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.
Application Process
Before applying for this post:

• Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575)
• External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide

All Applicants please note if you have already applied for a vacancy on Fusion please ensure you remove the supporting statement saved in your profile and upload your new supporting statement.
Interviews
External candidates will be invited to interview if we are unable to recruit internally
For information regarding the vacancy please contact
Tessa Foster, Business Support Accountant
Email:
Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.
About Us:
Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.