Management Accountant

The Scottish Prison Service are responsible for the secure custody of around 8,000 people across Scotland. Our vision is to help build a safer Scotland by unlocking potential and transforming lives. To enable us to successfully deliver our vision, we are committed to nurturing and investing in our greatest strength and resource: Our People. The hard work and dedication of our staff is, without doubt, the most critical component to the delivery and enablement of frontline services right across the Scottish prison estate, and we are committed to ensuring they are supported, fairly rewarded, and recognised for the unique contribution they make every day.

Reporting to the Strategic Finance Planning & Analysis Manager (SFP&A Manager), you will be responsible for the co-ordination and support of the annual financial planning cycle including: completion, submission and review of financial plans whilst ensuring that total budget allocation is within the Budget Statement Funding. You will ensure that additional funding requirements have been through appropriate approval levels.

You will be responsible for the monitoring and detailed analysis of the in-year budget position, including querying and challenging monthly submissions made by Finance Managers. You will be required to prepare information for and attend monthly/quarterly budget meetings with Finance Business Partners.

The post-holder is responsible for assisting the SFP&A Manager with meeting all management reporting requirements, including reporting the SPS’ corporate budget position and forecast outturns to SPS Advisory Board and the Scottish Government through monthly reporting and the budget review process (SBR and ABR).

You will deputise for the SFP&A Manager and have line management responsibility for the Assistant Management Accountant as appropriate.

The role is based within the SPS Headquarters, situated in Edinburgh, however there may be a requirement for you to travel to other SPS sites and locations, and potentially some home working.

Key responsibilities include:

• Production of the monthly management accounts, including analysing, investigating and reporting on significant budgetary variances, advising on the necessary remedial action and monitoring the implementation of these actions.
• Management of the annual financial planning process including coordinating submissions through Finance Business Partners and reviewing financial plans to ensure high quality budget setting and monitoring.
• Providing financial support and guidance throughout SPS, including providing specialist advice on key strategic financial management areas such as: risks and opportunities within budgeting and forecast outturns, financial planning and wider risk management, decision making, capital accounting and delegations.
• Preparing materials for SPS decision making through scenario planning and attending meetings with Finance Business Partners on a monthly/quarterly basis to understand the financial environment and identify then implement effective analysis requirements.
• Assist with completion of the SPS statutory accounts in accordance with the relevant IFRS accounting standards, policies and procedures. This includes assisting with completion of the asset notes (including reviewing and authorising asset forms) and preparation of the financial performance disclosures.
• Completion of all regular financial submissions for Scottish Government, including reporting on the monthly corporate budget position and forecast outturn, preparation of the Autumn & Spring Budget revisions and budget profiling.

If you have the following, we would like to hear from you:

• Membership of a recognised professional accountancy body e.g. ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA. Candidates in the final stages of becoming qualified with relevant financial experience will also be considered.
• Financial Experience: Experience of coordinating and managing budgets, with the ability to constructively analyse, scrutinise and challenge financial plans, including providing guidance and support to a wide range of staff in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Management Experience: Previous management experience within a Finance function with the ability to successfully manage people ensuring all tasks are completed within required timescales.
• Accountancy Experience: Experience in supporting the production of statutory accounts under IFRS, including preparation of supporting schedules.
• Technical Knowledge: Detailed understanding of a financial accounting system with the ability to interrogate and report effectively from the system and using Excel at an advanced level.

This role lends itself to Hybrid working, in line with policy. While the main office location will be SPS Headquarters there may be some travel to attend other locations.

• Attractive Pension (Civil Service)
• Commitment to your personal and professional development
• Free gym and car parking
• Discounts at high street stores, supermarkets and restaurants through our partners at Blue Light Card, Edenred and Civil Service Sports Council.
• Sick Pay
• Annual Leave - 37 days rising to 42 days

For information on the job, including full job description and person specification, and to apply for these vacancies please visit the Scottish Prison Service website. We are committed to your personal and professional development and offer a wide range of career progression opportunities.

• Closing date: 8 July 2026.

Pay: £54,398.00-£58,065.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site gym

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Edinburgh EH12 9DJ