As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We’re an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it’s where we go next that makes things really interesting. In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won’t become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring. That’s where you come in. Because we can’t do this without you. Job Overview Salary: £45,000 per annum plus £6,000 non-consolidated accountancy allowance Contract type: Permanent Band: F / Senior Executive Officer Closing date: Sunday 16th February 2025 at midnight A fabulous opportunity has arisen to further your accounting career and learn best practice in the Award Winning Finance team at The National Archives based on one site in the beautiful surroundings of Kew, Richmond. A non-ministerial government department The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for the UK government, and for England and Wales. We are the guardians of some of our most iconic national documents, dating back over 1,000 years. Our 21st-century role is to collect and secure the future of the government record, both digital and physical, to preserve it for generations to come, and to make it as accessible and available as possible. Based within the Management Accounting team of 6 and reporting to the Head of Management Accounting (HoMA), we are looking for someone fully qualified CCAB with at least two years PQE in management accounts, budgeting and decision support. Our ideal candidate will have strong communication and finance system skills including advanced Excel, show attention to detail and be able to provide strong customer support. The role would ideally suit someone looking to gain experience in government accounting. This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time. How to apply: To submit your application please click the 'Apply' button on this page. You will be asked to provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. In your statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section. We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources to assist with your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice. Job Description Job Purpose Operating within the Management Accounting team, the role holder will act as a Senior Management accountant for the business area(s) for which they are made responsible. Working directly with budget holders / project owners, Heads of Department and Directors, they will manage all aspects of their management accounting and financial planning services providing incisive, value-add financial support and analysis which facilitates effective decision making. The role requires internal liaison with business staff at all levels, but most notably at the Director and Head of Department level, as well as close working with the Finance Business Partners and the rest of the Management Accounting Team along with the wider Finance Department. Role and Responsibilities Financial reporting / control Be responsible for the provision of timely, accurate, relevant management information to all levels of management within assigned Directorate(s), regularly reviewing this information with the senior management team. This will include provision of monthly reports, critical review of results, value-add analysis, explanation of variances and early identification of potential issues / opportunities. Provide tailored financial reporting to support and advice on policy development, provide management advice and forecasting and support the business to deliver their objectives. Critically analyse management information, identify trends and develop future scenarios / ‘what-if’ Be a key focal point for complex financial queries, providing advice to stakeholders. Be accountable for providing financial monitoring services for investment / project spend, including tracking efficiency savings versus business case targets. Proactively provide improvements to procedures, applying sound judgement based on knowledge and experience. Liaise with the wider Finance team to ensure the accuracy of in-year reporting and Directorate (s) compliance with The National Archives Accounting Policies, Government legislation and accounting standards. Deputise for other members of the Head of Management Accounting team as required Decision Support Be responsible for providing analysis that informs and supports effective decision making Apply various tools such as investment appraisal techniques to better inform decision making. Support the business in gathering evidence to assess the costs, benefits and risks of a wide range of delivery options when making commercial decisions, and provide advice which helps secure value-for-money (vfm). Support the business in the development of detailed business cases. Act as a finance lead / participate in projects as a team member, presenting recommendations and building on others’ ideas, questions and input. Collaborating, Partnering & capability building Act as a key point of liaison between the Directorate (s) and other elements of the Finance & Corporate Services Directorate, most critically with other areas of the Finance function. Build strong and positive relationships with budget holders and senior managers (notably heads of Departments), providing the necessary assistance and professional advice to assist them with the financial aspects of their duties. Proactively manage own career development plan and identify own learning needs. Identify and devote time to train and coach others, both within the Finance function and within the business e.g. training for non-finance managers External stakeholders Where appropriate, work with Internal and External Audit to ensure audit work is conducted effectively and matters arising are cleared satisfactorily. Working Conditions Normal office environment Display Screen Equipment user Person Specification Essential criteria: CCAB qualification Strong analytical skills, able to identify and interpret trends and improve financial forecasting Ability to understand the strategic business goals of an organisation, able to ‘look beyond the numbers’ and understand the wider business context. Ability to collect and interpret financial and operational data (e.g. performance metrics) to assess efficiency and effectiveness, undertaking analysis and reporting and making recommendations as appropriate Team player, with exceptional interpersonal skills, able to work with a diverse and broad range of stakeholders across the organisation. Demonstrable ability to influence. Good written and oral communication skills, able to communicate clearly, concisely, accurately and in ways that promote understanding but stands ground when needed Experience of working to tight deadlines, ability to work well under pressure and to be able to prioritise a heavy workload Strong finance system skills including advanced Excel skills Desirable criteria: Understanding of accounting policy and an appreciation of the implications for an organisation of Government legislation and accounting standards The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. Benefits Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum. Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ ( opens in new window) Reasonable adjustments If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact The National Archives via careersnationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window) Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. (opens in new window) The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. (opens in new window) Contact point for applicants: Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team Email: careersnationalarchives.gov.uk Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careersnationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)