About The Role
Working pattern: This is a full-time post however we are happy to talk about flexible working. We’re committed to supporting staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance. This is a hybrid role, working from Holyrood, and from home.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is responsible for providing the Parliament with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. We place a high value on excellence, and we are continually looking to improve how we can deliver the Parliament's core purpose of representing the people of Scotland by debating issues of national importance, passing legislation and holding the Scottish Government to account. We are a diverse workforce, and our embedded values shape the way we work and treat each other. We have a culture of respect and inclusion, and everyone has the ability to make a difference. Here is the link to our organisation chart.

The Finance Office (FO) is made up of eleven staff incorporating Financial Accounting and Transactions, System Support and Business Partnering. The Office is responsible for preparing and presenting the annual budget; managing payments and receipts for goods and services; cash-management; all accounting including capital and fixed assets; providing high quality and timeous management information and forecasts throughout the year; preparing monthly and statutory accounting and returns; maintaining all financial policies and internal financial controls and supporting colleagues across the organisation with all finance-related matters.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead the small Business Support team which is responsible for preparing key annual budget information - including staff costs and project spend - by collating budget bids, constructively evaluating and challenging spend and investment proposals and presenting the draft budget to the Chief Financial Officer. As business partners to the wider organisation, the team are also expected to provide ongoing financial advice and support to colleagues as required, including assistance with budget management decisions, business case preparation or other financial analysis requested. You will be responsible for preparing high quality monthly management information reports for the Senior Executive Team (SET) and for the ongoing maintenance of system data on Oracle Fusion EPM (including budget phasing and forecasts) through timeous updates and reconciliation of data as required. You will be expected to identify areas for improvement and work with the Finance system lead to realise these benefits.

The role will involve managing and being supported by a qualified Assistant Business Accountant and be responsible for ensuring that the core services of the Business Support team are delivered. You will support and encourage a culture where your team members are empowered to deliver high quality work which will enhance the reputation of the Parliament. You’ll also champion collaborative working with colleagues across the parliamentary service, promoting positive and open communication, as well as our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a Minority Ethnic background and Disabled candidates. All appointments will be made on merit. We have a values-based culture of respect and inclusion embedded in our organisation, and everyone has the ability to make a difference.

We offer a great range of benefits including: 41.5 leave days (including public holidays), flexible working, paid professional subscriptions, family-friendly policies, Season Ticket advance loans, an onsite gym, Health and Wellbeing Schemes including discounted gym membership, a confidential counselling and information service, and the Cycle to Work Scheme.

You’ll also have the opportunity to join the Alpha Civil Service pension scheme, where we’ll offer you an employer contribution of 28.97% of your basic salary.

For further information about the role please contact beki.stark@parliament.scot

Please apply before 11.59pm, Wednesday, 20 November 2024 Full details of our selection process are outlined below.
About You
The successful candidate will be a fully qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant, experienced in the preparation and maintenance of complex annual budgets and forecasts, including staffing budgets and vacancy management.

You will be able to demonstrate experience of building successful and constructive relationships with non-Finance budget managers through proactive engagement, understanding their operations and establishing how the Finance Office can best help them to achieve their objectives and add value.

You will demonstrate a high level of personal credibility and be confident with influencing and challenging colleagues where necessary, whilst maintaining good long-term relations.

Naturally curious, inquisitive and tenacious, you will be adept at spotting data anomalies, analysing root causes and asking the right questions in order to get to the underlying reasons for unexpected variations. You will be able to distil the financial impact of information and intelligence gathered from any source in order to inform forecasts and financial out-turns and to create succinct, clear reports which will be understood by non-finance colleagues. You will have a high level of skill in Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel and as an excellent communicator, you will be able to liaise with colleagues at all levels verbally and in writing.

You will be a resilient manager and inspire colleagues to deliver high performance results in line with our values. You’ll have a proven track record of working inclusively with a diverse range of people and groups. You’ll have outstanding mentoring and coaching skills and be passionate about contributing to an inclusive and collaborative working culture which values diversity and encourages openness.

For full information about the role, have a look at the job description and our application pack.

The Scottish Parliament

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