Financial Accounting Manager

Financial Accounting Group Manager

Full time/Part Time

Salary: £52,944 - £59,975 pa, with potential for further progression to £67,530 pa with our pay progression scheme.

Location: Wilmslow

Contracted to our Wilmslow office, however, through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. 

Why work for the ICO?

·Pay progression scheme.

·Hybrid and flexible working options. 

·25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.

·Flexi leave (up to 24 additional days leave per year).

·Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).

·Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.

·Health Cash Plan.

·Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website .

About us

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data. 

As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful. 

Job Summary

Reporting into the Head of Finance you will be strengthening and streamlining the processes of the Finance function and wider organisation and implementing implementing action plans and improvements to respond to audit actions arising from external and internal audits.

Job Description

The post holder will ensure that the ICO maintains proper accounts and records to ensure that regularity and propriety are achieved to the high standards expected from a public body.

They will take a lead role in the development, implementation and ongoing review of the ICO financial accounting policies, working with the Financial Control Group Manager on related processes and controls, to ensure that these remain compliant with the latest accounting standards and guidance and can meet expectations of the Department for accurate and timely submissions and uploads into EPM and whole of government accounts consolidation process.

Key Responsibilities

• This post may involve some direct management or supervisory aspects for certain tasks and activities. Co-ordinating activity and ensuring that team members are clear about expected standards of performance, are motivated and professionally developed to provide excellent Finance services.
• To share financial accounting requirements across the wider finance team and to contribute to building understanding and practice.
• To keep abreast of accounting standard changes through horizon scanning, ensuring that impacts affecting ICO are considered well in advance.
• Lead on developing and implementing effective and appropriate Finance policies and procedures to meet accounting standards, reflecting good practice and enabling the organisation to achieve its objectives.
• Responsible for the integrity of the balance sheet, ensuring appropriate reviews are in place throughout the financial year to do so e.g. maintenance of various asset registers and asset existence testing.
• To work with the Financial Control Group Manager on maintaining key ICO finance policies, processes and governance. They will support the regular review of existing policies to ensure they are fit for purpose and relevant within a fast moving political environment as well as compliant with the high standards required as a regulator.
• Completion of the Annual Report and Accounts financial statements section for review by the Head of Finance ensuring disclosures meet the government financial reporting manual (FReM) requirements.

·The role holder will also lead the analytical returns process and yearend reporting and consolidation to the sponsor Department (DSIT).

• Support the month end processes to help ensure they are completed on time, accurately and any queries resolved.
• Liaise with external stakeholders where necessary including, but not limited to, sponsor department, internal and external auditors.
• Manage and lead on Finance projects and initiatives as required ensuring that implementation is achieved on time and within budget.
• Design and manage the long term financial model including aspects of planning and cashflow.
• Deputise for the Head of Finance as appropriate.

Essential criteria assessed at application stage

·Experience working in a financial accounting environment

·Experience of delivering or supporting annual financial statements and dealing with audit queries

·Strong analytical and numerical skills demonstrating an ability to identify and react to emerging issues.

·Ability to deal with a demanding workload which will include conflicting demands on time.

·CA or ACCA Qualified or equivalent

·Excellent standard of literacy and effective written communication skills for preparing financial reports.

Essential criteria assessed at interview stage

·Up to date knowledge of current trends and practices relating to (public sector preferably) finance and strong experience of relevant financial reporting standards.

·Strong interpersonal skills, ability to influence and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders.

·Experience of designing, implementing and managing finance processes and policies to meet accounting standards, including asset accounting processes.

·Experience of delivering month end processes and reporting and experience of using computerised finance packages.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website. 

If you have a disability or impairment and have difficulty using our online application system, please email the HR team who can arrange for you to submit an application via an alternative method.

Closing Date

Please submit your CV by 23:59, Sunday 9th June 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.