AMS PSR

On behalf of Department for Business and Trade , we are looking for a Financial Accounting and Risk Lead - (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract working on a hybrid basis and with an expectation of 3 days attendance in the London, Darlington or Salford offices

Description:

The role-holder will act as the key in-house source of accounting expertise across (i) work that they lead directly, (i) work co-developed with the NDP, and (i) work to provide assurance on the NDP’s advice. This will require a flexible and responsive approach.

As a Financial Accounting and Risk Lead - (Inside IR35), your main responsibilities will be:

Accounting and Modelling

• Lead on all IFRS9 modelling, calculations, and stress-testing for the SSA programme, including expected credit losses (ECL), probabilities of default (PD), loss given default (LGD), and exposure at default (EAD), to ensure robust loss provisioning and effective budget management in compliance with CBG and FTCF.
• Assess and monitor the accounting implications of equity investments, working with the National Delivery Partner (who will lead on valuation and modelling) to ensure that fair value adjustments, impairments, and structural events are effectively accounted for in the department’s finances, with accurate forecasting and updates.
• Support DBT Finance with financial reporting, compliance, and audit processes.

Portfolio Risk Oversight

• Monitor portfolio investments to assess credit quality changes, identify early-warning signals, and ensure the Investment Board and Ministers are kept informed on key risks.
• Assess and manage portfolio-level financial risks across the SSA programme, including sector and geographic concentration and fiscal headroom within the budget.
• Develop and iterate financial risk appetite statements and limits, and oversee scenario analysis frameworks, working closely with the NDP.

Deal Structuring and Review

• Advise on the national accounts treatment and classification of proposed deal structures, ensuring consistency with the FTCF and minimising the risk that SSA investments lead to private sector investees and their assets and liabilities being brought onto the Government’s balance sheet.
• Review investor and deal documentation, including financial statements, business plans, investment models, and cashflow forecasts, to provide risk assessments for the SSA Investment Board and Ministers, working closely with the NDP.
• Prepare robust counterfactual and additionality analyses for each investment proposition, including deadweight assessment, displacement analysis, and economic impact modelling as required by the Green Book framework.

Leadership and Capability Building

• Establish quality standards, templates, and methodologies for financial analysis across the SSA programme, ensuring consistency in preparing businesses cases and appraising investments.
• Build DBT’s capability to deliver Financial Transactions, supporting finance, legal, and policy leads to apply the FTCF and develop institutional expertise; and working with officials in HMT, UKGI, BBB, and other organisations to share and shape best practice.
• Upskill colleagues in the Office for Investment on core finance and accounting concepts, including classification logic, so the team can engage confidently in deal discussions and stakeholder conversations.

Essential

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Proven experience in financial modelling, including loans and equity investments
• Strong understanding of government accounting standards and their practical application
• Experience working collaboratively with departmental finance teams and wider finance communities
• Strong track record of delivering clear, accurate, and effective financial reporting
• Experience engaging with the National Audit Office (NAO) and supporting audit processes
• Good understanding of public finance frameworks and government budgeting environments

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, CLIENT guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.

DE&I Commitment

Department for Business and Trade guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant 

Department for Business and Tradeguarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".