Finance Business Partner

Are you looking for a role with autonomy and the opportunity to work closely with government colleagues

We are seeking a motivated finance professional to play a key role in supporting the effective financial management of Higher Education Student Support within the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). As an Executive Agency operating on behalf of the Scottish Government SAAS delivers a high volume high impact service within a complex policy and governance environment. As the Finance Business Partner you will contribute to ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly transparently and in accordance with Scottish Government financial frameworks.

This role sits within the Business Partnering Team in the Finance Directorate and provides broad experience across budgeting forecasting financial analysis and financial accounting. You will support key planning and reporting cycles produce highquality financial information and provide clear evidencebased analysis to inform operational and strategic decisions. Working closely with colleagues across SAAS and the Scottish Government the role requires strong analytical skills effective communication and sound professional judgement and offers a high degree of autonomy opportunities for professional development and the chance to contribute to robust financial stewardship across a critical national service.

• Provision of high quality monthly financial reports to required timescales providing accurate relevant and timely management information.
• Provide financial advice and assistance to stakeholders and build and maintain effective working relationships with business areas including with the wider Scottish Government.
• Contribute to the completion and quality assurance of input to corporate financial exercises in accordance with corporate timetable. Ensuring working papers provide a full audit trail and are retained and easily accessible during the audit process.
• Providing assistance in updating the financial ledger for example performing monthly reconciliations and preparing and processing journal entries.
• Review budget monitoring returns undertake the first check of forecasts year to date actual and budget data and ensure that explanations make sense and support the figures challenging areas where more explanation is required.
• Assisting in the maintenance of overall financial control to ensure the integrity of financial data on the ledger and the accuracy of the supporting systems and records.
• Ensuring adequate financial controls and clear audit trails are in place around accounting and reporting processes.
• Working flexibly across the team and shifting direction quickly to meet changing priorities and demands.
• Management of staff across the finance function.
• Leading the annual accounts and audit processes.

You must be fully CCAB (or equivalent) qualified with up to date CPD and relevant finance experience.

Please confirm in your CV/Personal Statement the qualification you hold. If you do not provide this information your application will not be considered.

SAAS is an executive agency of the Scottish Government and responsible for assessing and paying student awards for Scottish domiciled students in Higher Education throughout the UK. We administer budgets of around 1.4 billion each year making payments to both educational institutions and over 190000 students a year. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.

More information on SAAS can be found on our website

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education health the economy justice housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of theUK Civil Service working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more aboutwhat we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. This role requires in person attendance of 6 days per month minimum with more regular attendance as required to support the leadership and strategic direction of the team. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. Flexible working patterns will be considered in line with business needs.

SAAS has separate arrangements from core Scottish Government for Public and Privilege holidays. SAAS office is fully closed between Christmas and New Year.