Senior Management Accountant

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Defra Group Finance team, as a Team Leader in the Specialist Finance Operations Team (SFO). You will play a key leadership role overseeing the delivery of finance processes in the Project Ledger (PL), improving data quality, and driving smarter, more efficient ways of working, ensuring accuracy of the accounts is maintained.

You'll be responsible for leading a team that ensures transactional finance activities such as project setup, salary recharges, accruals, and cost transfers are delivered accurately and on time. You’ll work across the wider finance function and support customers, helping translate complex system workflows into clear, user-friendly guidance. You’ll also contribute to the development of a self-service culture by simplifying processes and improving customer experience.

As we prepare for a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, your experience will help shape future processes and support

Job description

Lead and manage the delivery of key project-related finance processes across the PL.

Ensure high-quality data that underpins accurate reporting and sound business decisions.

Proactively identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste, risk, and duplication.

Build resilience within the team by upskilling others and developing standardised procedures.

Support wider efforts to simplify and digitise financial services for our customers.

Develop, maintain and present finance guidance and training materials for internal and external audiences.

Act as a subject matter expert for processes, controls, and data integrity.

Support change and transition activity as we prepare for a future ERP system.

Person specification

We are looking for someone with:

Experience managing and developing people in a fast-paced finance environment.

Strong understanding of finance systems (e.g. Oracle) and how different modules interact. Use / Understanding of Projects Ledger would be an advantage

Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex concepts clearly

Proven track record in improving processes and delivering automation or digital solutions.

Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to change.

A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to collaborate across teams.

Experience supporting or leading financial data improvement and quality assurance.

Essential Skills and experience

Fully or part-qualified (CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA, or ACA), fully qualified AAT, or qualified through relevant professional experience.

Proven experience of leading, managing and developing a high-performing team.

Strong background in management accounting, particularly an understanding of projects, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.

Proven ability to influence and build effective relationships with non-finance stakeholders, simplifying complex financial information.

Strong Excel skills and working knowledge of finance systems such as Oracle and reporting tools like Qlik & Power BI.

Able to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a continuous improvement mindset.

Experience supporting or delivering digital, IT, or transformation programmes.

For CCAB / CIMA candidates, this post is eligible to be considered for an accountancy allowance up to £3,107 National and up to £4,495 London. The allowance is determined for each level of qualification (part qualified 1, part qualified 2, accountancy qualified). Line managers must see certificates from the professional body to confirm the individual has passed the relevant examinations before awarding the various stages of the allowance.

To achieve fully qualified status, the individual must pass the final level examinations and complete the relevant portfolio or logbook which must be certified by the professional body.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,665, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £12,360 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%

Things you need to know

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. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, 1000 words personal statement and 250 words on the Behaviour "Leadership"

Your CV needs to demonstrate that you have undertaken similar roles and activities as shown in the job specification and essential criteria.

Sift

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Behaviour "Leadership" and candidates need to meet the required sift score for their application to be progressed.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to a video assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

Candidate successful at sift stage will be invited to a video interview (1hour 15mins) that will consist of a blended interview of Behaviours, experience and Strengths.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spen