Head of Financial Accounting

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 388934

**Salary**:

- £54,857
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

**Job grade**:

- Grade 7

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Business area**:

- MCA - Corporate Services

**Type of role**:

- Accountancy
Finance

**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

**Number of jobs available**:

- 1

Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Southampton

About the job

**Job summary**:
**Would you like to work with the UK’s only national emergency service that has a variety of contracts and commercial arrangements with the associated complex accounting treatments for our helicopter and aviation services?**

**Are you experienced in leading external financial reporting processes including the production of Annual Report and Accounts in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and being the main point of liaison with our External Auditors?**

**_If so, we are looking for a Head of Financial Accounting to join us at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and we'd love to hear from you_**

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
- Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas._

Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.

We are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.

We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.

This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women’s, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.

**Job description**:
**What is the Finance Function within MCA?**

The MCA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, providing multiple statutory functions as flag, port and coastal State and delivering international obligations for search and rescue, environmental protection and responding to major maritime incidents. The Finance function is a key enabler for the Agency to ensure we can deliver against this remit, managing an annual budget of c. £500m.

As part of the Directorate of Corporate Services, the Financial Accounting team is responsible for preparing external financial reporting for the Agency and ensuring robust processes are in place to give assurance on the quality of the numbers.

**What is the purpose of Head of Financial Accounting?**

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Financial Control, this role leads the external financial reporting processes for the Agency including the production of the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) and quarterly Department for Transport consolidation packs, working with finance colleagues and auditors to agree accounting treatments as necessary.

As a key member of the Senior Management Team within the Finance Directorate, the role provides effective and inspiring leadership to the Financial Accounting team, fostering a high performing culture through continuous improvement

**Your responsibilities include but are not limited to**:

- Ensure Finance processes are compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) requirements and the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM)
- Lead the production of the financial statements and associated notes and narrative in line with IFRS and FReM requirements, including presenting the ARA to MCA Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
- Lead the production of quarterly consolidation packs for submission to DfT Finance colleagues as part of the wider reporting of the Department, including ensuring the returns are consistent with the internal reporting of the Agency
- Act as the main point of liaison between MCA and External Audit, working closely with audit colleagues across the audit period to ensure smooth progression of the Annual Report and Accounts to meet the timetable for laying with Parliament
- Innovate, develop, manage and simplify financial accounting policies, procedures, guidance and related management information practices across the Agency to reflect new ideas and best practice.
- Provides accounting advice, analysis and scrutiny to support business managers in complex situations and contributes to future business strategies.

**For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.**

**Person specification**:
**About You**

To be successful as the Head of Financial Accounting, you will be:

- Qualified CCAB/ CIMA with significant relevant experience or Part Qualified CCAB/ CIMA (working towards final strategic level examinations) with significant