DNE-Financial Accounting Manager - Assets

Job summary

The Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) is responsible for the provision of the nuclear deterrent, encompassing our submarines and nuclear warheads, while also advising on UK nuclear planning and fostering international co-operation on nuclear matters. With a multidisciplinary team of over 700 professionals, the DNO brings together expertise in science, engineering, finance, policy, programme delivery, and more. We work in partnership with the Royal Navy, the Submarine Delivery Agency and the Atomic Weapons Establishment as the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE).

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated, and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Financial Accounting and Tax team within DNO Finance. The team leads the production of DNO’s financial accounts, manages the organisation’s relationship with the National Audit Office and provides advice on compliance with accounting standards and government financial reporting requirements.

As a Financial Accounting Manager, you will take responsibility for significant elements of DNO’s financial accounting and reporting. You will help manage and quality-assure financial information, support the production of statutory financial reports and provide clear technical accounting advice to colleagues across the organisation. You will also work closely with internal and external auditors, supporting the timely provision of evidence and resolution of accounting issues.

The role provides exposure to a broad range of financial accounting and reporting activity within a complex and high-profile organisation. You will work with colleagues across the wider finance community to identify and manage accounting risks, strengthen financial controls and improve the accounts production process. The successful candidate will need to be adaptable, comfortable working with a range of stakeholders and committed to delivering accurate, high-quality financial information to demanding timescales.

This post is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The successful candidate could work across any area of the Financial Accounting and Tax team, providing flexibility to respond to changing priorities and gain experience across DNO’s financial accounting and reporting activities. The initial posting will, however, have a particular focus on asset accounting.

This is a technically challenging and high-profile area. The postholder will be responsible for accounting for some of Defence’s largest and most complex assets, including significant multi-year projects. The role therefore requires strong technical accounting capability, sound judgement and the confidence to understand complex transactions and work with stakeholders to reach robust accounting conclusions.

Key responsibilities will include:
• Managing and quality-assuring financial information supporting DNO’s accounts.
• Leading on accounting for significant assets and ensuring balances are appropriately supported and accounted for.
• Providing technical accounting advice in accordance with IFRS and the Government Financial Reporting Manual.
• Working across the finance community to identify and mitigate accounting risks and resolve complex accounting issues.
• Building effective relationships with the National Audit Office, internal audit and other stakeholders, including coordinating audit evidence and responding to queries.
• Contributing to DNO’s consolidation and production of statutory financial reports.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to financial controls, accounting processes and ways of working.
• Sharing knowledge and best practice across the team and wider finance community.

The role offers an opportunity to develop broad financial accounting experience while taking early responsibility for a significant and technically demanding area of DNO’s accounts.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Person specification

Essential Qualifications:
Fully qualified accountant with a CCAB-recognised body or CIMA, with relevant post-qualification. Accountancy Allowances will be paid where applicable.

Essential Skills:
Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience, including the ability to interpret and apply accounting standards to complex transactions and balances.

Experience of financial accounting and financial statement production, with a strong understanding of appropriate accounting controls, reconciliations and supporting evidence.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand complex financial information, exercise sound judgement and reach well-reasoned accounting conclusions.

Ability to build effective working relationships and communicate complex accounting matters clearly to finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to demanding reporting and audit deadlines.

Desirable Skills:
Experience of accounting for non-current assets, capital projects or assets under construction, particularly in a complex project or programme environment.

Experience of applying IFRS and/or the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM).

Experience of working with external auditors and supporting the external audit cycle, ideally within central government.

Knowledge of wider government financial reporting requirements, including Managing Public Money

Qualifications

Fully qualified accountant with a CCAB-recognised body or CIMA, with relevant post-qualification

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees