Job Description
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is Scotland’s national awarding and accreditation body. We are trusted to oversee thousands of qualifications that are available in schools, colleges and workplaces, not just in this country, but around the world.
We are looking for an Accountant to work within the Finance team.
The successful candidate will be required to provide accurate and timely financial evaluations, management information, budgets and forecasts as well as monitoring SQA’s financial performance against plan to support management decision making. To act as the interface to main business areas alongside the Finance Business Partners. In order to do this you must be able to demonstrate experience in the following specific duties:
1. Prepare monthly management accounts and variance analysis to enable budget holders to effectively gauge the financial performance of their area of responsibility
2. Provide financial management information and reports for external stakeholders as required and to agreed timescales
3. Co-ordinate, communicate and plan the budget and forecast processes to enable completion within agreed timescales and to achieve the overall financial aims of SQA
4. Analyse budget and forecast returns and highlight areas where action is required to ensure budget holder assumptions and rationale can be properly challenged if necessary
5. You may be asked to support the financial accountant with tasks relating to the year end accounts
6. You may be asked to support and provide cover to the finance officer in relation to banking tasks.
Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:
7. Provide guidance to budget users in the planning, creating and monitoring of budgets and forecasts to ensure accurate information is provided on which to base financial assumptions
8. Responsibility for review and improvement of financial controls
9. Contribute to the development of financial systems, processes and procedures to support the overall aim of continuous improvement
10. Excellent MS Excel skills are desirable
Applicants, as a minimum, should be educated to SCQF Level 8 (HND/Degree in a financial discipline) and/or be a part qualified accountant associated with one of the CCAB accounting bodies or be able to demonstrate at least 3 years of direct relevant experience for the role
In return, SQA offer a fantastic benefits package for your talent. These include but are not limited to a career average pension scheme; staff well-being and health assistance programmes; development opportunities and 27 days annual leave in addition to 14 days public holiday.
If you think you’ve got the skills, knowledge and experience required to succeed in this exciting opportunity please apply below.
SQA welcomes applications from every section of the community. SQA has a Gaelic Language Plan and is committed to its purpose.Tha Plana Gàidhlig aig SQA agus tha sinn a' creidsinn gu h-àrachdach agus na h-amasan a tha air cur a-mach sa Phlana Nàiseanta don Ghàidhlig.
We are an Equal Opportunities employer and encourage applications from all members of the community. We are committed to the Disability Confident Initiative and offer a guaranteed interview to any applicant who considers themself to be disabled and who meets the competency requirements for the post.