Job Description

Vacancy Type
Permanent
Location
Headquarters/Hybrid
Pay Band
F
Salary
50,221 - 53,607

Closing Date

02/06/2025, 10:00
Hours of work
All Hours required
Full or Part Time
Full-Time
Weekly Hours
35
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Strategic Financial Planning & Analysis Manager, you will be responsible for the co-ordination and support of the annual financial planning cycle including: completion, submission and review of financial plans whilst ensuring that total budget allocation is within the Budget Statement Funding. You will ensure that additional funding requirements have been through appropriate approval levels.



You will be responsible for the monitoring and detailed analysis of the in-year budget position, including querying and challenging monthly submissions made by Finance Managers. You will be required to prepare information for and attend monthly/quarterly budget meetings with Finance Managers.



The post-holder is responsible for assisting the Strategic Financial Planning & Analysis Manager with meeting all management reporting requirements, including reporting the SPS' corporate budget position and forecast outturns to SPS Board and the Scottish Government through monthly reporting and the budget review process (SBR and ABR).



You will have line management responsibility for the Assistant Management Accountant.



Responsibilities
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.

Person Specification

SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Competencies for Success Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are eight, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them, you will be assessed on those identified as key to role.
Qualification Requirements
Membership of a recognised professional accountancy body e.g. ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Requirements

FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE

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.

MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Previous management experience within a Finance function with the ability to successfully manage people ensuring all tasks are completed within required timescales.

ACCOUNTANCY EXPERIENCE

Experience in supporting the production of statutory accounts under IFRS, including preparation of supporting schedules.



Behaviour Requirements
Accountability & Initiative

Solve Problems & Make Decisions

Relationships & Collaboration
Plan & Organise
Selection method 1
Presentation
Selection method 2
Interview