Edinburgh/Hybrid
Starting Salary from £44,709 + benefits (pay award pending)
SCTS a great place to work, learn and develop
SCOTTISH COURTS AND TRIBUNALS SERVICE (SCTS)
SCTS plays a key role in the administration of justice. We fulfil our purpose by providing the people, buildings and services needed to support the judiciary, the courts, devolved tribunals and OPG. Our work focuses on improving access to justice, reducing delay and cost within the justice system, modernising our services in line with reform, and using leading technology to improve our services for everyone.
The role:
SCTS are recruiting for qualified Senior Financial Accountant to join the Finance and Procurement team in a key strategic role. You will play a crucial role in the management of the SCTS annual reporting and accounts process. Working as part of a highly specialised team you will be leading on the management of complex capital accounting and provide expert support to the wider business on technical matters.
The role involves preparing complex financial statements and reports in compliance with IFRS, providing guidance on new accounting standards and delivering high quality recommendations to senior stakeholders. In addition to supporting the audit process you will collaborate with cross functional teams to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. Supporting strategic decision making is a central part of this role through accurate and timely financial reporting.
Experience of working in the public sector is not essential for this role but you must be a qualified accountant who can demonstrate excellent technical accounting skills. This experience can come from working in the private sector or within a firm of chartered accountants.
Responsibilities include:
* Manage the planning, preparation and delivery of the SCTS annual report and accounts.
* Liaise with external auditors to meet audit deliverables
* Review and maintain the capital policy and guidance to ensure compliance with accounting standards
* Assurance reporting to senior management
* Budget and forecast for depreciation and lease accounting
* Provide technical guidance and advice on the application of accounting standards
* Collaborate with Finance Business Partners
Our benefits include:
* A supportive and professional induction programme with regular check-ins with your line manager
* Job stability and security with excellent and varied career prospects
* Flexible working arrangements
* 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 4 years’ service) plus 11.5 public and privilege holidays
* Special leave and paid leave for study or voluntary public service
* Excellent Civil Service Pension Scheme
* Family friendly policies
* Free and confidential Employee Assistance
* A variety of staff discounts and offers with major retailers
* Payment of professional membership fees
* Access to opportunities across all Civil Service departments that are not available to non-Civil Servants
* Security of full pay when unwell (up to a maximum of 6 months)
* Learning and development (including digital) opportunities
About SCTS
The work of SCTS covers a broader range of issues than you may think. In providing support to Scotland’s courts, devolved tribunals and the OPG, we touch the lives of many people on a daily basis – be that through formal court or tribunal business, fulfilling your civic duty as a juror, paying fees or fines, seeking help in managing the affairs of an incapable adult or dealing with the estate of a loved one who has passed away. SCTS deals with over a quarter of a million cases and applications each year. Behind each one of these is an individual – looking to the system to help them assert their rights, address wrongs or provide support in a time of need. It is this work – which takes place every day in our courts, tribunals and administrative centres across Scotland – that consumes most of the time, energy and skill of our staff. We take pride in working as one team and providing high levels of service to all those who use the courts, tribunals and OPG. We are always looking to improve the services we provide – through innovation and development. Whilst delivering our core services is our priority, considering how we can improve and develop is also crucial to keep delivering the highest quality service.
To help direct us towards achieving our purpose successfully, we embrace three key values of respect, service and excellence.
These guide our behaviour, decisions and actions - in pursuit of fulfilling our purpose to the highest standard.
To apply please visit our website.
The closing date for the post is: Thursday 27 November 2025.
Interviews are expected to be held 11 and 12 December 2025.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is exempt from the protections of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This permits us to ask applicants details of both spent and unspent convictions, along with details of any formal cautions that you may have. Individuals without existing security clearance will always be considered as all successful applicants will require a standard level Disclosure check completed before employment can commence.
Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting us at recruitment@scotcourts.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.