Financial Accountant

at  Department for Energy Security Net Zero

JOB SUMMARY

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work at the forefront of current policy making decisions? Do you want to have an impact on the UK and beyond? If yes, then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.
Here at DESNZ we are delivering our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, with clean electricity by 2030 and accelerating the UK’s journey to net zero. Our work is helping ensure clean energy for all, keep bills down and seize the opportunities to lead the world in new green industries, taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it’s impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are bold, we are collaborative, we are inclusive, and we learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive
We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ - pronounced DEZ-NEZ) Financial Accounting and Reporting team sits within the Efficiency, Corporate & Reporting function of the Finance Directorate and supports the Core Department and its Partner Organisations in all financial accounting and reporting matters, including the production of the Department’s Annual Report & Accounts.
The Financial Accountant role has a lead in areas of maintaining the Core Department ledgers, preparing the Core Department accounts, contributing to the preparation of Department’s Annual Report & Accounts and audit by the National Audit Office (NAO).
This is an important role within the finance function requiring the ability to work as part of a team to deliver the Departmental Core accounts and provide accounting expertise to support the Department.
The role provides an excellent opportunity to contribute towards the production of the Departmental accounts, build strong relationships with stakeholders and be involved in areas outside of key responsibilities alongside learning and development opportunities.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

All roles within Financial Accounting and Reporting team act as the face of the overall Financial Accounting and Reporting Team. The successful post holder will be able to deliver at pace, whilst working together with a range of colleagues and stakeholders and able to see the importance of the integrity of the department’s ledgers.
The successful candidate will have experience in the application of IFRS accounting standards to support ensuring that the Department’s financial records are free from errors and the annual report and accounts are laid within set timescales.
The successful candidate will be a driven, collaborative colleague, with good attention to detail, have experience of working to tight deadlines and will possess the ability and communication skills to build strong working relationships at all levels across the DESNZ family.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Fully or part qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA);
• Experience of application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS);
• Experience of finance systems including associated reporting tools
• High proficiency in MS Excel;
• Transactional accounting experience – general, purchase and sales ledgers.
• Using MS excel to interrogate data to identify and resolve discrepancies/reconciling items.

Technical Skills (will be assessed at interview stage):

• Double entry bookkeeping and application of accounting standards

Desirable Skills:

• Preparation or audit of financial statements or assisting in the process.
• Understanding Oracle system including the operating environment, eg. EPM and CDM.

QUALIFICATIONS

Full or Part Qualified Accountant - CCAB, CIMA or equivalent

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Accounting

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £40,950, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £11,863 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• £8,838 p.a accountancy allowance for fully qualified.

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 a new window)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Managing and maintaining aspects of the Core Department’s general ledger and financial statements;
• Engage effectively with the wider finance team and Finance Business Partners;
• Ensure all technical aspects of the Core Department accounts production process are consistent with HM Treasury guidance and specifically the requirements of the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM);
• Provide technical accounting advice under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and guidance relating to new and existing Departmental activities;
• Where appropriate, collaborate closely with HM Treasury colleagues on technical issues and cross government accountancy issues;
• Engaging with the external auditors, the National Audit Office (NAO), to ensure the audit process runs efficiently;