AMS PSR

On behalf of The Home Office, we are looking for a Head of Financial Accounts (Inside IR35) for a 4 months (likely extension) contract based REMOTELY (occasional trips to Liverpool mainly around audit time)

The first duty of Government is to protect the public. Since 1782, the Home Office has led work to keep the country safe from those who seek to do it harm; in doing so, we make a vital contribution to HM Government’s plan for a stronger, fairer, outward-looking and united Britain.

The Home Office covers three systems Homeland Security, Public Safety and Borders, and Immigration and Citizenship. These systems work collaboratively to deliver our cross-cutting priorities, whilst providing increasingly efficient and secure services for the public. These are difficult areas that can rapidly change in the global environment we work in – this makes us one of the most exciting and stimulating government departments in which to work.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is an arm's‑length body of the UK Home Office—specifically, an executive non-departmental public body—responsible for helping make recruitment safer by processing criminal record checks and managing barred lists for individuals working with vulnerable group

As a Head of Financial Accounts, your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead and motivate the Financial Accounts team, fostering a high-performance culture and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain robust financial controls ensuring accuracy and integrity of the general ledger.
• Manage the production of annual audited financial statements and maintain strong relationships with external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with finance and accounting policies, latest standards, and stakeholder requirements.
• Collaborate with senior finance leaders to improve systems, processes, and deliver accurate management information.

Essential:

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA) with strong technical accounting expertise.
• Proven experience leading financial accounting teams and managing statutory reporting including ARA delivery
• Demonstrated ability to develop financial controls and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Experience managing external audits and producing audit-ready financial statements.

Desirable:

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, the Home Office 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

The Home Office guarantees 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".