Description Are you eager to develop your career by supporting key financial activities for flagship policies and services? Join one of the Scottish Government’s Financial Management and Reporting teams, an innovative, forward-looking division with a vision to apply global best practices and a commitment to supporting staff in growing their professional knowledge, skills, and experience. The Financial Management and Reporting teams are central to the Scottish Government’s Financial Management Directorate, providing robust monitoring and advice to support effective decision making on the allocation and management of resources. We ensure the Scottish Government (SG) maintains its reputation for prudent fiscal management and value for money, overseeing £50 billion in public spending and fulfilling compliance and reporting requirements. You will lead continuous improvement within the finance team, adapting to changes and maximising the benefits of new financial systems and policies. You will manage tasks and projects flexibly, collaborating with colleagues across the Team, Division, Directorate, and wider SG. Responsible for budget monitoring for a specific part of the SG, you will produce monthly finance reports to provide senior officials with timely, high-quality financial information. Strong financial skills, communication, and effective stakeholder relationships are essential, as Finance Teams connect business areas with the wider Corporate Reporting Division. As a Finance Manager you will lead a Finance Team with support from Assistant Finance Managers, reporting to a Senior Finance Manager. Responsibilities Ensure the timely and accurate completion of budget monitoring and reporting exercises, providing management with robust information and explanations to assist in making informed decisions. Provide financial management advice to stakeholders through the delivery of financial reporting and analysis, offering high-quality, regular financial updates to key stakeholders. Lead, support, and line manage finance colleagues through change by ensuring the delivery of team priorities, offering support and guidance to direct reports, and identifying and developing improvements and efficiencies. Maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders, both internal and external, while managing the timing and quality of information, using knowledge of local business and policy issues to scrutinise information and provide expert advice to resolve the root cause of issues. Develop and manage effective relationships to provide advice and assistance to stakeholders, understanding the drivers of risk across the organisation, and identifying opportunities to influence the strategic direction of business areas and related decisions. Identify potential improvements to finance processes and ways of working, with a particular focus on using core financial reporting systems to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of organisational financial management. Ensure the completion and quality assurance of areas’ input for the annual accounts in accordance with the corporate timetable, making sure working papers provide a full audit trail and are retained and easily accessible during the audit process. Engage with colleagues across the Financial Management Directorate, business areas, and public bodies to work effectively together in delivering corporate financial exercises. Qualifications Qualifications The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified (or equivalent) with up-to-date CPD. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: Financial Management and Reporting – Practitioner Level. Stakeholder Management and Communication – Practitioner Level. Analysis and Use of Evidence – Practitioner Level. People Management and Operational Leadership – Practitioner Level. You can find out more about the skills required here: GFF Skills Capture Assessment To access the skills capture tool you will be required to register with OneFinance, which is a website available to civil and public servants only. Experience: Experience working in a finance or accountancy environment. Behaviours: Managing a quality service – Level 3. Communicating and Influencing – Level 3 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here How to Apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words ) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a job simulation exercise. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 17 March 2025 however this may be subject to change. About Us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Equality Statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. Apply before: 28 February 2025 (23:59)