Financial Accountant
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 1st November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions? Do you want to have an impact on the UK and beyond? If yes, then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.
Here at DESNZ we are delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. Our work is helping ensure clean energy for all, keep bills down and seize the opportunities to lead the world in new green industries, taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are bold, we are collaborative, we are inclusive, and we learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive
We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
Find Out More
We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process.
You can sign up for upcoming events here https://forms.office.com/e/pqUhdr3L72
You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/
Job description
The Financial Accountant role has a lead in areas of maintaining the Core Department ledgers, preparing the Core Department accounts, contributing to the preparation of Department’s Annual Report & Accounts and audit by the National Audit Office (NAO).
This is an important role within the finance function requiring the ability to work as part of a team to deliver the Departmental Core accounts and provide accounting expertise to support the Department.
The role provides an excellent opportunity to contribute towards the production of the Departmental accounts, build strong relationships with stakeholders and be involved in areas outside of key responsibilities alongside learning and development opportunities.
Person specification
Key responsibilities
- Managing and maintaining aspects of the Core Department’s general ledger and financial statements;
- Engage effectively with the wider finance team and Finance Business Partners;
- Ensure all technical aspects of the Core Department accounts production process are consistent with HM Treasury guidance and specifically the requirements of the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM);
- Provide technical accounting advice under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and guidance relating to new and existing Departmental activities;
- Where appropriate, collaborate closely with HM Treasury colleagues on technical issues and cross government accountancy issues;
- Engaging with the external auditors, the National Audit Office (NAO), to ensure the audit process runs efficiently;
Skills and experience
All roles within Financial Accounting and Reporting team act as the face of the overall Financial Accounting and Reporting Team. The successful post holder will be able to deliver at pace, whilst working together with a range of colleagues and stakeholders and able to see the importance of the integrity of the department's ledgers.
The successful candidate will have experience in the application of IFRS accounting standards to support ensuring that the Department's financial records are free from errors and the annual report and accounts are laid within set timescales.
The successful candidate will be a driven, collaborative colleague, with good attention to detail, have experience of working to tight deadlines and will possess the ability and communication skills to build strong working relationships at all levels across the DESNZ family.
Essential Skills:
- Fully or part qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA);
- Experience of application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
- Experience of finance systems including associated reporting tools
- High proficiency in MS Excel;
- Transactional accounting experience – general, purchase and sales ledgers.
- Using MS excel to interrogate data to identify and resolve discrepancies/reconciling items.
Technical Skills (will be assessed at interview stage):
- Double entry bookkeeping and application of accounting standards
Desirable Skills:
- Preparation or audit of financial statements or assisting in the process.
- Understanding Oracle system including the operating environment, eg. EPM and CDM.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Accounting
Benefits
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
- A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
- Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
- £8,838 p.a accountancy allowance for fully qualified.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 01/11/2024, If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and one 250 word Behaviour statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to address the key responsibilities and experience requirements for the role.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the lead behaviour statement - 'Changing and Improving'.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour, technical and strength-based questions.
Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift dates: w/c 04/11/2024
Interview dates: w/c 18/11/2024
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DESNZ Candidate Guidance. A DESNZ Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Further Information
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
DESNZ does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).
DESNZ cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DESNZ holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Joseph McQuade
- Email : joseph.mcquade@energysecurity.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : desnzresourcing.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
