The Insolvency Service
Head of Agency Financial Accounts Team
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Job Summary
The Insolvency Service is a leading government agency providing essential services to the public and to business. The Agency is seeking to recruit a Head of Agency Financial Accounts Team within our Finance & Commercial Operating Group. This role reports to the Head of Core Finance and has line management of 2 SEOs directly and 2 HEOs indirectly. The work within this team is at the heart of the Insolvency Service Finance team, it offers flexibility and the opportunity to learn transformational skills.
Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives.
We offer full-time, part-time, job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, through our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.
The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!
Job Description
Lead a talented team of finance professionals to deliver the Agency’s Annual Report and Accounts, covering approximately £1bn of financial activity. You will oversee the statutory accounts, consolidation returns and financial reporting, work closely with the National Audit Office throughout the audit cycle, and collaborate with the sponsor department and HM Treasury to support prompt, accurate and well-governed reporting.
Provide technical accounting leadership across the Agency by assessing and implementing new accounting standards and HM Treasury guidance, advising on strategic initiatives and major change programmes, and driving the successful delivery of audit recommendations and continuous improvement. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Finance and the wider organisation to turn complex requirements into practical, effective solutions.
This is a high-profile role offering the opportunity to shape the Agency’s financial reporting, strengthen governance and influence important business decisions. It combines strategic leadership, technical expertise and senior stakeholder engagement with hands-on delivery, providing a varied and rewarding opportunity to lead a high-performing team and deliver trusted financial outcomes.
Responsibilities
Agency Annual Report, Accounts and Audit
- Lead the delivery of the Agency’s statutory financial statements and accompanying disclosures, ensuring compliance with HM Treasury guidance, government reporting requirements, and relevant accounting standards.
- Oversee the timely and accurate submission of consolidation returns to HMRC, the parent department and HM Treasury’s Whole of Government Accounts team.
- Provide senior oversight of National Audit Office audits and reviews, working through the Audit Coordinator to ensure effective engagement and successful resolution of audit findings and management letter recommendations.
- Lead the production of insightful financial reporting on key financial statement movements, including monthly assurance over bank reconciliations and cashflow across Agency bank accounts.
- Partner with Treasury Management teams to shape and review working capital policies, supporting the effective management and collection of outstanding cash liabilities.
Technical Accounting and Leadership
- Work closely with Financial Control colleagues to assess the impact of new accounting standards and HM Treasury guidance, ensuring successful implementation across the Agency.
- Provide expert technical accounting advice on strategic initiatives, policy developments and major change programmes, helping to inform business decisions.
- Champion compliance with Managing Public Money, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and the Financial Reporting Manual.
- Oversee the delivery of Government Internal Audit Agency actions relating to Finance & Commercial, driving continuous improvement and strong governance.
- Support the Estates Financial Accounts Team in producing the Agency’s Insolvency Service Account and Insolvency Service Investment Accounts, including the review and enhancement of policies and procedures.
- Inspire, develop and lead a high-performing team, creating opportunities for growth while ensuring the successful delivery of key objectives.
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Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- A good foundation in technical accounting, with the ability to explain accounting concepts clearly and accessibly to colleagues from non-finance backgrounds.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to share information accurately and adapt messages for different audiences.
- Experience of interpreting and applying International Financial Reporting Standards, or the ability to develop this knowledge, together with an understanding of relevant legislative principles.
- The ability to build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, understand their needs and work collaboratively to support successful outcomes.
- A well-organised and proactive approach, with the ability to manage priorities, work independently when needed and respond constructively to new or changing requirements.
- An inclusive and supportive leadership style, with the ability to provide direction, encourage collaboration and help colleagues develop and deliver their best work.
Desirable Criteria:
- An understanding of system accounting and/or experience of using Power BI to support analysis, reporting and insight.
- Familiarity with central government financial reporting requirements, such as the Financial Reporting Manual, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and Managing Public Money.
- Experience of fees and charges accounting and/or laying accounts.
- Experience of preparing clear submissions or papers for senior forums, such as Boards, Audit Committees or other governance groups.
Qualifications
- Full CCAB or CIMA qualification
- Active membership with a CCAB or CIMA Qualification
Behaviours
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
- Technical Skills Presentation
Salary
Alongside your salary of £57,367, Insolvency Service contributes £16,619 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Benefits
- Flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
- Full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
- In addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave.
- Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave.
- 5 days paid leave for learning and development.
- 5 days paid for volunteering.
- A Cycle to work scheme.
- Staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life.
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Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:
- CV
- Personal Statement
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
Where high volumes of strong applications are expected or received, we may raise the ‘benchmark’ minimum score required at the sift stage. If a high volume of candidates meet the benchmark score, we may further raise the score required for interview selection. Scores will be applied fairly and consistently. Applicants eligible under a recruitment scheme may, where appropriate, continue to be considered against the agreed ‘benchmark’ score, to support the purpose of the scheme.
CV Guidance
Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.
Personal Statement Guidance
Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification, as well as any desirable criteria. This will help provide a clearer basis for scoring and will be particularly useful in the event of tied scores.
Interview
If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:
- Behavioural Competencies - assessed through:
- Behaviour 1 - Making Effective Decisions
- Behaviour 2 - Communicating and Influencing
- Behaviour 3 - Working Together
- Behaviour 4 - Delivering at Pace
- Technical Skills - Presentation
Expected timeline (subject to change)
- Sift – w/c 19/10/2026
- Interview – w/c 09/11/2026
- Location - MS Teams
Visa Applicants
To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.
Hybrid Working
Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Queries and Support
When contacting us or the Government Recruitment Service (GRS) using the contact details at the bottom of this advert, please include the 6-digit Vacancy ID, job title, your full name and, where applicable, your 8-digit Applicant ID in the email subject line. This will help us process your enquiry more efficiently.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
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