Financial Reporting and Accounting Manager - Public Sector

Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING MANAGER

Background

Finance functions in the public sector continue to face increasing demands as they try to balance the financial stability of the organisation whilst having to deal with increased complexity, regulatory, structural and accounting changes. These demands and complexities place increasing pressure on the capability and capacity of a number of finance teams. As we look forward these finance functions that have already been through so much, will continue to face challenges and opportunities, whilst trying to deliver the best service to the people they serve.

Recognising the challenges faced by many of these finance teams, Grant Thornton is growing its team providing Accounting, Financial Reporting and Finance Function Support to Public Sector organisations. This is a really exciting time to join a growing team passionate about supporting public sector organisations deal with a variety of interesting and complex, financial reporting and accounting challenges.

We are looking for a Manager to join the team as it continues to grow and evolve. This will provide the individual with a unique opportunity to be involved in the development and growth of the service, in addition to directly supporting Public Sector organisations through their current challenges.

Why Grant Thornton

Our Public Sector Financial Reporting and Accounting Support (“FRAS”) team sits within the Public Sector Assurance practice. The FRAS team provide support to non-audit clients across a range of areas from accounting, financial reporting, finance function support. The broad range of services are all aimed at supporting Finance Directors and finance teams in the public sector find sustainable solutions to complex financial, accounting and finance function challenges.

Our UK audit practice is built of over 2300 people working across 24 locations, led by Wendy Russell and supported by 50 audit partners. We’re really proud of the strong position our audit practice is in from a wellbeing, resource and quality perspective, the latter of which is shown through our recent positive AQR results. Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals. Our tailored and responsive approach provides the expertise our clients need, enabling them to grow and make the right decisions about their future.

Our Public Sector Audit team (of over 470 people) works with some of the country’s largest NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Public Sector bodies. This service expands the work that we do from an assurance perspective beyond audit, building on the reputation and profile the firm has from its audit service, thought leadership and insight.

Our size and culture allows us to give you more opportunities within your career. You will have more responsibility for client outputs and more variety in the work you take on and the clients you work with, from NHS to Local Government. You can develop your career in a way that works for you, and the firm, and we’ll support you with development programmes and opportunities along the way.

Life is about more than work
 

The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, whether that’s reduced or condensed hours, job shares, we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance. Everyone in the firm is encouraged to work in a hybrid way, want to go for a run at 3pm, or collect children from school? That’s fine with us if it fits with your client work. Our framework for how we work underpins our approach, giving us all the confidence to make decisions that work for us, and our teams.

Knowing we’re right for you
 

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone.  Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

A look into the role

As a manager within our public sector financial reporting and accounting support team, you will:

• Be responsible for the delivery of a number of non-audit engagements across the range of services provided. Focussed on ensuring quality standards are met.
• Use problem solving skills to work with clients to solve a number of complex technical matters. This could include, for example: specific accounting issues, implementation of new standards, financial reporting review and creation and financial management/ governance.
• Take opportunities for wider team responsibilities through training and pitching new projects
• Be involved in business development and the generation of ideas for new service offerings.
• Oversee members of the team in project delivery.
• Supporting the oversight of project finances and budgets.
• Responsible for client onboarding.
• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with your team and our clients.
• Constantly strive to push yourself, and the business, further, knowing you are supported at every stage.

Knowing you’re right for us

Joining us as a manager, the minimum criteria you will need is:

• Professional Accounting qualification (ACA, ICAS, CA, ACCA or CIPFA)
• Post qualification experience either in providing professional services (External Audit/ Consulting) to Local Authorities and Health bodies or from within a Local Government or Health finance functions.
• Strong grasp of IFRS accounting standards and their implementation in the public sector to be able to respond client accounting and financial reporting queries.
• Excellent knowledge of financial reporting in the public sector.
• Project management experience
• Experience in leading and developing relationships
• Business development experience would be beneficial
• Experience of coaching junior colleagues

Beyond the job 

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.

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