Head of Financial Operations & Control

This role is in the central Financial Accounting and Control Team (FACT). In addition to being DCMS’ financial accounting Centre of Excellence, the team leads in the production of the consolidated accounts of the DCMS Group (with 39 of its 47 Arms Length Bodies directly consolidated)  and manages the National Lottery Distribution Fund.

The team is the hub for all financial operational and control functions including treasury management, VAT, purchase to pay support and manages the relationship with DCMS’ shared services provider.

The DCMS Finance team (of which FACT is an integral part) is relatively small and this provides opportunities for development not always found in a bigger department. Finance is high on the agenda and provides the opportunity to influence the direction of the Department for the future.

You will lead a team of upto 8 with 3 direct reports, reporting to the Deputy Director, Financial Accounting and Control (FACT), your primary responsibilities are:

• The provision of sound technical financial advice to internal and external stakeholders (ALBs).
• ·Lead on the preparation of the DCMS core accounts including, developing underlying systems and processes and assist the Head of Financial Accounting & Consolidation  with the year-end annual report and accounts as required.
•  Delivery of the National Lottery Distribution Fund including production of the Annual Accounts. 
• Delivery of the Section 70 report on grants and other regular and ad hoc reporting on financial systems and compliance
• Lead on developing and implementing the financial control framework for the Department  in line with finance functional standards including relevant GIAA recommendations.
•   Lead on all accounting operational activity including cash flow management, Purchase to Pay (P2P)support, managing the relationships with DCMS’ shared services provider and the provision of VAT advice.
• Trusted financial accounting  expert on the  DCMS’ shared services  agenda jointly working  with the  Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) function and the cross departmental shared services cluster.

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience:

Essential Requirements

• Strong leadership skills, and the ability to motivate and develop a diverse finance team. Promoting consistent excellence in the team’s output whilst balancing working at pace to manage a workload with conflicting priorities
• Demonstrable experience in working with the National Audit Office (NAO), external auditors, senior external stakeholders. Ability to influence, through excellent interpersonal and communication skills including building and maintaining networks and relationships.
• A proven ability to advice on  complex accounting issues, including interpretation of accounting standards, lead on accounting policy and assurance issues in collaboration with the NAO and internal stakeholders.
• Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent with demonstrable post qualifying experience in a large finance team.
• Experience in producing consolidated accounts.
• Advanced Excel skills 
• Excellent project management skills

Desirable Skills

• External audit background 
• Experience and knowledge of any or all of IFRS, UK GAAP and Charities SoRP
• Experience of preparing central government accounts
• Knowledge and experience of the FReM, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance (CBG), Managing Public Money and the Treasury’s supply estimates manual. 
• Previous experience of being an “expert” user of a financial system.

DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working – DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home

• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service

• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice

• 3 days of paid volunteering leave

• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave

• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year

• Occupational sick pay

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice

• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks

• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work

• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.

Job contact :

• Name : Robertson Bell
• Email : DCMS@robertsonbell.co.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk