Head of Finance Business Partnering

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

- 427312

**Salary**:

- £74,480 - £85,964
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Grade 6
- C2

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Type of role**:

- Finance

**Working pattern**:

- Full-time

**Number of jobs available**:

- 2

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- Glasgow, Scotland, G2 7ER

**About the job**:
**Job summary**:
This is a challenging, energising and fast-paced role which acts as key support for the Head of Finance, Director of Finance & Corporate Services, other Transport Scotland Directors and Senior Managers in our supported arm’s length bodies, providing high quality advice with an opportunity to deputise on a regular basis, as well as regular access to Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers.

This role sits within the Finance and Corporate Services (FCS) Directorate which is one of eight directorates within the agency. FCS consists of four distinct functions - Corporate Services, TS Finance, Sponsorship and Transport Portfolio Finance.

Reporting into the Head of Finance, you will lead one of the two Finance Business Partnering Teams. The team consists of approximately 6 members of staff and delivers key finance business partnering and management accounting to the Transport Scotland Directorates who are responsible for our public bodies, including rail and ferries. The team develops awareness of drivers of financial performance to date, and accurate forecasting and outturn reporting and provides professional financial advice to support achievement of objectives within available resources.

**Job description**:
**Responsibilities**
- Provide effective leadership, oversight and strategic and operational support to your Finance Business Partnering Team in the provision of management accounting support, financial and commercial advice and guidance to your allocated Transport Scotland Directorates.
- Work with colleagues across the agency to develop provide professional financial and strategic advice to support the achievement of objectives within available resources, bringing constructive challenge to ensure robust decision-making.
- Bring extensive knowledge of commercial finance to assist Transport Scotland Directorates with high profile financial and contractual negotiations and transactions.
- Robustly assess projections of future expenditure and ensure regular updates to financial plans to support corporate and Scottish Government budgeting, risk management and long-term financial planning.
- Support the Portfolio Finance team, stakeholders and Ministers by engaging in the budget setting process, contributing to the development of applicable documents and advice for Transport Scotland.
- Deputise for the Head of Finance or Director of Finance & Corporate Services as appropriate in matters relating to finance business partnering and management accounting.

**Person specification**:
**Qualifications**

**Success profile**

**Technical / Professional Skills**

**1. Government Finance - Working.**
- Government Finance Guidance - Standards as set out within guidance documents including handbooks, advisory documentation, accounting treatment handbooks specifically for government organisations, such as the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM), Consolidated Budgeting Guidance (CBG), the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) etc.
- Government Financial Management - Management of financial matters, allowing government organisations to be more efficient, more resilient, and make better decisions, supporting organisations delivering on Value for Money Responsibilities.
- Understanding of Accounting Officer Responsibilities - The accounting officer responsibilities outlined in the SPFM, understanding of Accounting Officer tests and use to manage resources and finances across government.
- Understanding the Role of Audit Scotland - Understanding the role and remit of both Internal and External audit processes.
- Understanding Taxation - Accurate recording of transactions and treatment of financial records in accordance with relevant taxation law.

**2. Budgeting, Forecasting and Costing - Practitioner.**
- Understanding of Budget Guidance - Clear on budget process including required inputs, outputs, performance indicators and timescales for preparation to ensure that the organisation fulfils its statutory and regulatory obligations according to Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, professional accounting standards and other standards as necessary.
- Budget Management - Work closely with the business to manage and prepare the budget submissions, support monitoring, conducting analysis and updating assumptions, including taking a forward view to support planning of activities.
- Understanding of Forecasting - Knowledge of the forecasting mechanisms including frequency of preparation and depth of detail in collaboration with stakeholders adhering to deadlines.