Overview

Location

Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Swindon

About the job The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern, cost-effective real estate service solutions.

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. And we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service. Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Job description

Please note: Part-time working is supported for this role however due to business needs a minimum of 4 working days per week is required.

This post includes a 12-month reserve list for candidates who achieve a qualifying score but are not immediately successful.

The Senior Financial Accountant supports the production of the GPA Annual Report and Accounts which is independently audited and laid in Parliament to strict deadlines. The post holder will also support the production of consolidation returns for the Cabinet Office departmental accounts and Whole of Government Accounts.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the production of the GPA Annual Report and Accounts including provision of consolidation returns for Cabinet Office departmental accounts and Whole of Government Accounts
• Maintain and analyse accurate accounting records including preparation and monitoring of Statement of Financial Position reconciliations and accrual and other journals
• Monitor the effectiveness of key controls including those operated by outsourced service providers
• Prepare tax returns to deadlines including monthly VAT return and Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) returns
• Support the delivery of internal and external audits including provision of fully supporting and signposted evidence, monitoring of requests and responding to auditors in a timely way
• Support continuous process efficiencies and improvements across the function
• Build relationships with key staff across Finance and the business in order to maintain effectiveness and relevance during change

The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade.

Qualifications & Experience

Experience & Technical Skills

Essential criteria:

• Good experience of financial accounting
• Good knowledge and experience of VAT
• Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse and interpret significant amounts of financial data
• Ability to seek out new information and self-develop
• Experience of using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
• Proficient using Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work to tight deadlines

Desirable criteria:

• Good experience of financial accounting in a public sector context

Qualifications & Accreditations

Essential criteria:

• Must hold a CCAB or equivalent qualification

Qualifications

Must hold a CCAB or equivalent qualification

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We\'ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.

• Customer Perspective
• Commercial Acumen
• Property Market Knowledge
• Innovation