Qualified Accountant

Defence Equipment & Support

Qualified Accountant

£62900

Defence Equipment & Support, Barrow-in-Furness

  • Full time
  • Permanent
  • Onsite working

Posted 2 weeks ago, 3 May | Get your application in now before you miss out!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: c57b1a7147fd4de4afce1d0c6f671c6a

Full Job Description

Do you thrive developing positive and engaged relationships in a complex and ever-evolving environment? This could be the perfect position for you! We at the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) are seeking an experienced leader to join our team as a Senior Qualified Accountant in Barrow-in-Furness.

You will have the opportunity to work alongside projects offering significant scope, with responsibility across delivery, policy, strategic direction, and leadership, whilst working closely with suppliers and a wide stakeholder base. You will strategically lead an experienced and dynamic financial team, encouraging a culture of imaginative thinking, learning from experience, and driving for improved quality by challenging the status quo.

As a Senior Qualified Accountant, you will ensure that project costs are rigorously controlled, and relevant financial and performance reporting requirements are met through the provision of specialist financial services. You will enable the Project Team to deliver on scope, to time and to budget and make informed strategic decisions.

Want to find out more about what we do in the SDA? Discover more below:

  • Discover the Submarine Delivery Enterprise

  • Why people like working for the SDA


  • For tips to help you with your application, please follow this link.

    At the SDA, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be a minimum of 40%) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

    This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you have been recruited for. If it isn't obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn't obtained within 12 months.,
  • Lead an experienced and dynamic financial team ensuring appropriate delegation of work, support, and capability development opportunities for the team

  • Oversee the monthly financial forecasting process for the Project Team, including financial risk, and accurate and insightful commentary, challenge, and variance analysis. Lead on the Financial input and information at the monthly forecast reviews to empower stakeholder decision making

  • Oversee the Financial input to the Annual Budget Cycle (ABC) process in conjunction with Project Managers (PM)/Project Control Manager (PCM) also with the production of the Programme Cost Review (PCR) forecasts and the provision of the ABC Briefing Pack

  • Work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders in providing technical accounting guidance, advising of key risks, and ensuring the accuracy and robustness of reporting. Develop Cost Models in support of business case approvals. Also, to monitor project expenditure against approval. Lead the team in actively supporting audit and internal compliance. Advise on accounting and forecasting implications of policy and programme decisions. Liaise with Finance & Accounting (F&A) colleagues to ensure that VAT and FOREX treatment is correct

  • Provide key support to the business area to analyse, understand and report on financial performance against delivery schedules and targets, provide analysis of risks and opportunities, and working collaboratively, provide prompt evaluation of proposals and Business Cases

  • Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis to demonstrate project performance and analyse variances to plan, determine impact on the schedule and cost to complete the scope of work. Ensure consistency with IYM and EVM reporting, 1. Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.

  • 2. Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
    3. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. When two (or more) candidates are on equal interview scores, positions will be offered based on the scores assessed at interview, in this order - 1st) Technical competence, 2nd) CV Review, 3rd) Behaviour one, 4th) Behaviour two.

    Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

  • Qualified Accountant CCAB (including CIMA, ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS, Chartered Accountants Ireland, or International equivalent qualification), with full membership (with letters) of the relevant accounting body and up to date CPD records

  • Extensive experience in Management Accounting or Financial Accounting, presenting financial information or public sector accounting

  • Demonstrable experience in a strategic financial role delivering against a complex and challenging financial environment

  • Previous leadership experience with exposure to senior stakeholders, and the ability to work to own initiative


  • In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
  • Cost Management (Expert)

  • Financial Planning, Reporting and Resource Allocation (Practitioner)

  • Leadership

  • Communicating and Influencing

    £58,500 - £62,900 p.a. (plus generous benefits), Alongside your salary of £58,500, Ministry of Defence contributes £15,795 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

  • 25 days' annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King's birthday

  • Flexible and hybrid working options

  • Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 27%

  • Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards

  • Access to specialist training and funded qualifications

  • Support for progression

  • Huge range of discounts

  • Volunteering days

  • Enhanced parental leave schemes


  • Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you're looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you'll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know., £58,500 - £62,900 p.a (plus benefits)