Job Summary

About the Job

Do you have excellent attention to detail, strong analytical capabilities and experience of working in a finance team? If the answers to the above are yes, then this exciting opportunity could be for you.

Job Description

This post is embedded in the National Records of Scotland (NRS) Finance Team, part of the Corporate Services Directorate.

This role is offered as a 6-month Fixed Term Appointment (Fair and Open) and provides a unique opportunity to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including NRS Senior Management and Budget Managers. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and working closely with the NRS Accountable Officer, you will help ensure the delivery of value-for-money outcomes across the organisation.

You will lead the financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting on our varied core budgets and income. You will provide robust management information and financial challenge, technical accounting expertise and broad technical financial insight to support delivery of NRS priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support the CFO in producing the NRS Annual Report and Accounts, coordinating contributions from staff and consulting with the Chief Executive and Directors as required. Select appropriate accounting policies, oversee key accounting judgements, ensure the accounts are free from material misstatement, and lead engagement with external auditors.
• Contribute to Spending Reviews, Portfolio Budget processes, and Autumn and Spring Budget Revision submissions, including negotiations with Portfolio and Scottish Government finance colleagues.
• Lead the annual budget commissioning exercise and mid-year financial review, working closely with budget holders to monitor performance against budgets and provide professional accounting, budgeting and financial advice to Directors and senior managers.
• Maintain and continuously improve financial processes to ensure expenditure on NRS Corporate budgets complies with NRS and Scottish Government financial governance requirements, advising on governance and control improvements where necessary.
• Deputise for the CFO on the Executive Management Board and Audit and Risk Committee, providing authoritative financial advice and insight, and contributing to discussions and decision-making on organisational management and strategic priorities.
• Provide accounting expertise and financial insight to corporate strategic planning activities and business cases, ensuring financial plans support and align with organisational objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across organisational boundaries and professional groups, particularly with Directors, promoting good financial practice and supporting the planning and delivery of business priorities.
• Lead the NRS Corporate Finance Team (currently comprising 2 B3s, 4 B2s, 1 B1, 2 A4s and 1 A3), ensuring effective day-to-day oversight, appropriate resourcing, training and development, efficient financial procedures, and compliance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM), the UK Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.