Head of Exchequer Funds and Accounts
HM Treasury
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 24th November 2024
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Salary
If the successful candidate is a current Civil Servant joining on level transfer, HM Treasury will honour their current substantive salary if higher.
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Corporate Finance
Finance
Governance
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About the job
Job summary
HM Treasury
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.
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
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
The Exchequer Funds and Accounts (EFA) team plays a fundamental part of the operation of government delivering a business-critical role for HM Treasury. It has responsibility for the management of the central Exchequer Funds involving the operation and accounting (including production of statutory accounts) for the National Loans Fund, Consolidated Fund and the Contingency Fund, and funding of all government departments. It manages the day-to-day issued gilts, International Monetary Fund transactions and issuing loans and taking deposits.
EFA has oversight of the accounts and governance assurance of the Exchange Equalisation Account (EEA), managed by the Bank of England on behalf HM Treasury.
EFA also manage the forecasting and monitoring of government cash flows (amounting to more than £2 trillion per annum) and leads on cross-government cash management policy.
EFA has approximately 20 staff based across the London office and the Darlington Economic Campus.
About the job
As Head of Exchequer Funds and Accounts, you will have a wide and varied role with responsibility for leading business critical areas within HM Treasury.
The system of annual reports and accounts 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 government to account.
You will play a key part in the accountability framework leading on the production of the four Exchequer central funds accounts ensuring high quality reporting and driving forward good practice. You will also lead on the production of the management information for the central funds ensuring that key financial controls have operated effectively for assurance to the Accounting Officers.
In addition, you will have responsibility for the oversight of the Bank of England’s management of HM Treasury’s gold and foreign currency reserves and the funding of Supply payments to government departments, standing service payments, Consolidated Fund receipts, pay overs and payrolls as well as daily management of gilts, IMF transactions, loans and deposits.
You will lead on policy advice relating to the central funds and will collaborate closely with key senior stakeholders including the National Audit Office, as the department’s external auditors, the Treasury’s Audit and Risk Committee, Bank of England, Debt Management Office and Permanent Secretary.
You will need to demonstrate excellent technical expertise in International Financial Reporting Standards as well as strong problem-solving skills. 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 look to identify and implement efficiencies and innovation into processes and drive forward a programme of continual improvement to ensure the Annual Report and Accounts meet standards of good practice in financial reporting.
You will also be a strong leader with the skill to articulate a vision, engage and motivate people to deliver results. You will support the ongoing learning and development of your team and demonstrate dedication to inclusive team values.
The key accountabilities include:
Annual Report and Accounts, Management Accounting and Funds Operations
- Deliver the four central funds annual report and accounts, prepared according to International Financial Reporting Standards, meeting the financial accountability requirements of the public sector.
- Lead the production of the management accounts for the central funds accounts and ensuring that key financial controls have operated effectively providing relevant assurance to the Accounting Officers.
- Lead engagement with external auditors to agree appropriate accounting treatment including on new policy areas affecting the financial statements.
- Lead the funding of Supply payments to government departments, standing service payments, Consolidated Fund receipts, pay overs and payrolls as well as daily management of gilts, IMF transactions, loans and deposits.
- Oversee the Bank of England’s management of HM Treasury’s gold and foreign currency reserves to ensure compliance with departmental and fiscal objectives.
Technical accounting and contribution to the development of policy advice
- Liaise with policy teams to provide financial reporting and funds related support and advice on the implications of government interventions and policy development on the central funds accounts, acting as an EFA representative on steering boards of significant projects as needed.
- Analyse technical financial issues and communicate complex financial information and risk to a wide range of senior stakeholders.
Business continuity and system support
- Lead the business continuity and risk management function for the central funds.
Management Responsibilities
- Lead an inclusive EFA team with strong alignment to HM Treasury values, including ensuring sufficient ongoing development opportunities are provided to all staff.
- Lead a programme of continual improvement in financial reporting and identify and implement efficiencies.
- Contribute to the wider management of the EFA and Finance teams through working with the other branch heads and the Deputy Director Finance, Exchequer Funds and Accounts.
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.
- Evidence of extensive experience of financial reporting and accounting and applying IFRS in the financial services sector or of a government funded body (Experience).
- Evidence of the ability to analyse technical financial issues communicating with confidence and credibility complex financial information and risks to a wide range of stakeholders (Communicating and Influencing)
- Evidence of the ability to drive forward efficiencies, innovation, and automation for continual improvement to financial reporting processes and reporting (Changing and Improving)
- Evidence of a dedication to leading and motivating a diverse and inclusive team to deliver ambitious objectives to competing timescales (Developing Self and Others).
The lead criterion: Experience
If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.
Required Qualifications:
- CCAB or equivalent qualification
Required Membership:
- Membership of a professional accountancy body
Candidate Guidance Support Session
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach; top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time.
Thursday 14th November at 12:30: Join the meeting now
Qualifications
Memberships
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Developing Self and Others
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)
- Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
- Generous parental and adoption leave package.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28%
- Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site
- A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes
- A range of active staff networks, based around interests and diversity
Flexible Working Arrangements
HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.
At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, it’s important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.
The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Recruitment Timeline
Closing date: 24th November 2024
Shortlisting: w/c 25th November 2024
Interviews: w/c 9th / 16th December 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.
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Security Check (SC).
To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed.
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
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 : Vikki Lewis
- Email : vikki.lewis@hmtreasury.gov.ul
Recruitment team
- Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Further information
