1994 - Head of Accounts – Core

The Welsh Government is seeking to recruit a Head of Accounts – Core – the equivalent to a financial controller position. This role is a key position within the finance leadership community across an organisation which is increasing in size and complexity. This role is essential for ensuring timely and compliant financial reporting.

The Welsh Government is responsible for securing the best possible value for money from over £20 billion of taxpayers’ funds allocated by the Senedd. The finance function plays a crucial role in enabling Welsh Government to fulfil its strategic objectives. As Head of Accounts - Core this role is pivotal in developing and maintaining the financial reporting processes and systems across the Welsh Government to ensure the good stewardship of taxpayers’ funds, supporting the Principal Accounting Officer to discharge his fiduciary responsibilities.

This role is responsible for the management and delivery of the Welsh Government Core and Welsh Consolidated Fund Accounts and is critical to the timely and quality delivery of the Welsh Government Consolidated Accounts which allow the Senedd to scrutinise the spending of the Welsh Government, significantly contributing to the Welsh Government public accountability requirements.

We are looking for an enthusiastic self-starter who will thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Job description

This role requires strong communication and influencing skills allied to excellent technical skills to provide advice, challenge and scrutiny to senior colleagues. This role is key to the effective working relationships between business areas and the central finance function to ensure ministerial priorities are delivered safely and effectively.

Your technical knowledge and ability to work constructively with senior teams will make you a valued contributor to the decision-making process and a champion for change within your business area, in support of Welsh Government 2025 our major change and development programme and in wider public sector projects. These post holders will need to establish and develop effective working relationships with a number of stakeholders, including the Welsh Government Centres of Excellence, Directors, Deputy Directors, Internal and External Audit.

We would expect all applicants to be able to demonstrate a high level of expertise in and experience of financial matters in the public sector.

The postholder will manage a team of five colleagues comprising a range of grades.

• Candidates must hold a CCAB or equivalent accountancy qualification and hold membership of a professional accountancy institute, with a minimum of three years post qualification experience.

Person specification

Financial Reporting:

• Lead the team responsible for the production of the Welsh Government financial reporting and delivery of a high-quality Welsh Government Core and Welsh Consolidated Fund Annual Report within tight timescales. The Welsh Government Core Accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adapted by the Government Financial Reporting Manual (‘FReM’).
• Lead the planning, development, maintenance and operation of Welsh Government’s financial reporting and data collection process, including ledger controls.
• Lead engagement with external auditors through the planning, interim and final audit periods to ensure smooth progression of the accounts timetable and to agree appropriate accounting treatments, including for new policy areas.
• Provide support across Welsh Government to ensure the proper accounting for transactions, which are increasing in complexity and scale as the Welsh Government Group grows, and increasingly innovative ways of delivering policy are identified such as for property transactions.
• Acting as a subject expert, analyse technical financial issues and communicate complex financial information and risk to a wide range of senior stakeholders.
• Lead the identification and implementation of financial reporting systems and process developments across Welsh Government to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Financial Reporting.
• Analyse current processes to identify and implement ways to improve processes and financial control. Lead a programme of continuous improvement in financial reporting, including the implementation of new accounting standards, such as IFRS 17.

Leadership and Management:

• Manage and motivate people to optimise performance and effectiveness, including staff development and coaching of colleagues. Set a clear direction encouraging engagement with wider organisation initiatives and promote cohesion within the team.
• Play an active role as part of the senior financial and governance leadership team in the Directorate, Group and Welsh Government.
• Be proactive and strategic in anticipating organisational needs while recognising the wider business environment.
• Be a key part of plans to take forward Welsh Government 2025 and help shape our plans and approach to future financial management, reporting and governance.

Qualifications

Do you hold a CCAB or equivalent accountancy qualification
Candidates must provide a copy of their accountancy qualification and membership.

Memberships

Hold membership of a professional accountancy institute, with a minimum of three years post qualification