Assistant Finance Manager

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only. Job Title – Assistant Finance Manager Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy Grade – B2 Advert type – Temporary Level Transfer - EOI Duration - 6 months Eligibility - Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only. Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK. Overview We have an exciting opportunity to join the Corporate Reporting team as a B2 Assistant Finance Manager for 6 months (with possibility of extension). This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career at the heart of the organisation supporting key financial reporting to Ministers and Senior Leaders. As an assistant finance manager within the small Corporate Reporting team you’ll use your analytical capabilities to produce a range of monthly reports for a range of stakeholders. You’ll also have an important role in monthly budget monitoring processes, and contribute to the Scottish Government provisional and final outturn statements to the Scottish Parliament. Reporting to a B3 Finance Manager, this is a key role which requires effective analytical capabilities, good organisation and prioritisation skills, and the ability to produce clear insights to inform strategic decision making across the organisation. You’ll be joining an innovative, forward-looking division with a vision to apply global best practice, and a commitment to support all staff to grow their professional knowledge, skills, and experience. This role is within the finance profession. While it does not require you to hold a professional accountancy qualification, the successful candidate will be part qualified or be willing to work towards qualification. Full support for this will be provided. Responsibilities Contribute to timely and accurate delivery of monthly Corporate Board and Cabinet financial reporting, producing high quality information to support senior decision making. Associated data analysis, profiling and trend analysis, forecast accuracy assessments, and explanations of variances. Build and maintain effective working relationships across Finance and the wider organisation to deliver financial exercises and support system and process improvements. Support the Scottish Government Budget Monitoring process, including maintaining timetables, providing guidance to business areas, and related monthly tasks. Lead key aspects of General Ledger period opening and closure, ensuring desk instructions are maintained and issues are resolved collaboratively with ledger and technical teams. Contribute to Provisional and Final Outturn exercises by undertaking reconciliations and variance analysis, and supporting documentation and briefings. Undertake ad hoc analysis and data insights to support governance, ministerial, and senior management requirements. Provide Budget Centre Liaison Officer support for Corporate Finance Division. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on, you should provide evidence of how you meet these in your statement. Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions (Level 3) Communicating and Influencing (Level 3) Delivering at Pace (Level 3) You can find out more about Success Profiles on gov.scot. Technical: Budgeting, Forecasting and Costing (working) Government Financial Management (working) Working with Data in Finance (practitioner) You can find out more about the finance profession capability framework . Experience : Use of analytical skills and tools to produce reporting Working pattern This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 6 months, with potential for extension. Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. How to Apply Please submit a Supporting Statement (maximum 500 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Vacancies close at 11:59pm on the date displayed in the table, unless otherwise stated on the job advert. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of a light touch interview. Interviews to be confirmed For any questions relating to your expression of interest please contact [email protected]. Recruitment Principles As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases. 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 observing the Civil Service Code and 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 . Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide . 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.