Finance Governance

On behalf of AWE, we are looking for a Finance Governance & Policy Accountant (Inside IR35) for a 18 Months contract based 2-3 days per week in Reading

What if you could work on something that you can't test… but cannot afford to fail? Something that could have spent years on a submarine, is launched into outer space (where the temperature is below -250c), comes hurtling through the atmosphere, being heated up and shaken and then must work? Some challenge. That's exactly what the team of over 6,500 people at AWE do every day delivering important work, in support of the most important mission - keeping the nation safe.

AWE plays a crucial role in national nuclear security. Their role in nuclear deterrence and their specialist technical assistance to nuclear threat reduction is vital in the defence against the most serious threats faced by the UK. Working to support the defence of our country, AWE has a clear mission to keep everyone, the environment, their products and information, sites, and everything around them, safe and secure.

We are seeking a Finance Governance & Policy Accountant to join our Financial Compliance team. This is a critical role responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining robust financial policies and controls that ensure compliance with government accounting standards and regulatory requirements. You will play a key part in shaping financial governance, supporting decision-making, and driving best practice across the organization.

As a Finance Governance & Policy Accountant . your main responsibilities will be:

• Develop, review, and update financial policies, procedures, and guidance to ensure compliance with government frameworks, accounting standards (IFRS), and internal governance requirements.
• Implement, monitor and maintain policies and financial controls, ensuring they are effective, documented, and consistently applied across all business units.
• Provide expert advice on financial policy interpretation, supporting stakeholders in applying policies correctly and mitigating risks.
• Lead on policy impact assessments, identifying implications for financial reporting, budgeting, and operational processes, and AWE as a whole.
• Support internal and external audits by ensuring compliance with financial control frameworks and providing necessary documentation.
• Collaborate with finance teams and policy colleagues to embed best practice financial governance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and guidance for senior management and policy teams, translating complex financial regulations into actionable insights.
• Contribute to training and upskilling of finance and non-finance staff on policy and control requirements

Essential:

• Strong knowledge of public sector financial frameworks, accounting standards (IFRS,), and government finance policies.
• Experience in designing and implementing financial controls and governance frameworks.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial regulations and assess policy impacts.
• Strong communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-finance stakeholders.
• Proficiency in financial systems and tools (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Power BI).

Desirable:

• Experience in policy development within a government or public sector environment.
• Knowledge of audit processes and risk management frameworks.
• Professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or equivalent experience.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

AWE's ambition is to create workplaces that recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and where people feel able to be themselves at work. They strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, AWE guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

AWE guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".