Lead Financial Accountant - National Security Secretariat

Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AS

About the job Job summary:

This role offers a rare opportunity to work closely with the United Kingdom’s Security and Intelligence Agencies, providing them with the support and scrutiny they need to respond to strategic opportunities and challenges.

You will work with the Cabinet Secretary, the Deputy National Security Adviser and colleagues in HM Treasury, and the national security departments to make sure that the Agencies are effectively governed, meet their statutory financial reporting requirements, and have the funding necessary to secure the Prime Minister's priorities and keep the country safe.

You will be part of a wider team of advisers that specialise in strategy, governance, performance and finance. You will manage a sub team focused on the financial management of the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC).

You will lead on all aspects of Financial Accounting for the Single Intelligence Account, providing the first point of contact for financial accounting and audit queries, taking the lead on financial accounting, financial operations and audit for the Single Intelligence Account. You will also contribute to the Principal Accounting Officer’s quarterly governance boards, attended by the Agency Heads and senior officials from the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury which scrutinise the intelligence community’s performance and corporate management.

Job description

The successful candidate will support the Cabinet Secretary in his role as Principal Accounting Officer for the Single Intelligence Account by:

• Leading on the preparation and consolidation of the Single Intelligence Account, including development of underlying processes with the United Kingdom Intelligence Community (UKIC).
• Overseeing operational financial activities, including monthly cash flow, and reviewing, understanding, and consolidating UKIC's monthly forecasts.
• Managing the audit of the consolidated Single Intelligence Account, ensuring all necessary documentation is available to the National Audit Office.
• Overseeing that relevant systems, cash management and cash forecasting regimes run securely, smoothly and efficiently.
• Leading on the Estimates process (Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates) for the Single Intelligence Account, working closely with internal colleagues, UKIC and Other Government Departments.
• Responsible for the Whole of Government Accounts submissions for the Single Intelligence Account, ensuring that submissions are timely and accurate.
• Provision of expert technical financial advice to stakeholders on financial issues - which can include sensitive and complex accounting and budgeting issues.
• Promoting sound financial management across UKIC, reviewing financial operations and performance, and offering appropriate support and challenge.
• Developing and supporting a high-performing team and contributing to other key team and directorate priorities as necessary.

The successful candidate will also build effective relationships with Agency Finance Deputy Directors, Accounts Teams, Strategic Finance Teams, Corporate Services, HMT, and other stakeholders to:

• Provide briefing to the Cabinet Secretary, ministers and officials on Agency financial plans and performance.
• Act as an impartial broker between the Agencies and HM Treasury balancing scrutiny and advocacy of the Agencies.
• Complete UKIC’s external financial reporting including the consolidated Annual Report and Accounts and the Whole of Government Accounts and liaise with the NAO on the audit of these. 
• Oversee the production of consolidated estimates for the Single Intelligence Vote, including managing OSCAR processes.
• Lead review of the monthly forecast of the Intelligence Agencies, alongside the monthly Cash Management process.

Person specification

• A full Accountancy qualification (CCAB or equivalent) is required.
• Experience of financial accounting processes, production of Annual Report and Accounts and be able to apply the requirements that underpin sound financial control.
• Excellent level of technical accounting and financial management knowledge.
• Highly effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to build and sustain strong relationships, influence and negotiate in a range of situations with a range of stakeholders across Government.​
• Strong people management and leadership experience, ensuring professional training and development requirements are met to maintain a high-performing team.
• Strategic thinker, capable of setting direction and seeing the big picture.
• A proven track record of operating flexibly and delivering results in challenging circumstances.​
• Experience of Internal Audit (desirable not essential)

Additional information:

Candidates are required to be a fully qualified accountant, CCAB or equivalent.