Job Description

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Do you have excellent attention to detail, strong analytical capabilities and experience of working in a finance team? If the answers to the above are yes, then this exciting opportunity could be for you.

This post is embedded in the National Records of Scotland (NRS) Finance Team, part of the Corporate Services Directorate.

This role is offered as a 6-month Fixed Term Appointment (Fair and Open) and provides a unique opportunity to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including NRS Senior Management and Budget Managers. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and working closely with the NRS Accountable Officer, you will help ensure the delivery of value-for-money outcomes across the organisation.

You will lead the financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting on our varied core budgets and income. You will provide robust management information and financial challenge, technical accounting expertise and broad technical financial insight to support delivery of NRS priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support the CFO in producing the NRS Annual Report and Accounts, coordinating contributions from staff and consulting with the Chief Executive and Directors as required. Select appropriate accounting policies, oversee key accounting judgements, ensure the accounts are free from material misstatement, and lead engagement with external auditors.
• Contribute to Spending Reviews, Portfolio Budget processes, and Autumn and Spring Budget Revision submissions, including negotiations with Portfolio and Scottish Government finance colleagues.
• Lead the annual budget commissioning exercise and mid-year financial review, working closely with budget holders to monitor performance against budgets and provide professional accounting, budgeting and financial advice to Directors and senior managers.
• Maintain and continuously improve financial processes to ensure expenditure on NRS Corporate budgets complies with NRS and Scottish Government financial governance requirements, advising on governance and control improvements where necessary.
• Deputise for the CFO on the Executive Management Board and Audit and Risk Committee, providing authoritative financial advice and insight, and contributing to discussions and decision-making on organisational management and strategic priorities.
• Provide accounting expertise and financial insight to corporate strategic planning activities and business cases, ensuring financial plans support and align with organisational objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across organisational boundaries and professional groups, particularly with Directors, promoting good financial practice and supporting the planning and delivery of business priorities.
• Lead the NRS Corporate Finance Team (currently comprising 2 B3s, 4 B2s, 1 B1, 2 A4s and 1 A3), ensuring effective day-to-day oversight, appropriate resourcing, training and development, efficient financial procedures, and compliance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM), the UK Government Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

Qualifications

Must be fully CCAB qualified with relevant post qualification experience in a similar financial environment and up-to-date CPD.

Technical / Professional Skills:

1. Budgeting, Forecasting and Costing (Practitioner)
2. Government Financial Management (Practitioner)
3. Strategic Financial Analysis and Insight (Practitioner)
4. Understanding International Accounting Standards (Practitioner)
5. Data Analysis (Expert)

You can find out more about the skills required, here: Finance Profession Capabilities Framework

Experience

• Strong technical accounting skills and ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and succinctly to a wide range of audiences, including to non-finance colleagues.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate effectively with key stakeholders and a proven ability to explain financial information effectively to stakeholders and non-financial professionals.
• Strong planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a diverse workload and team, and able to adapt to changing situations and manage competing priorities.
• A track record in leading and managing teams to deliver a range of finance and/or management functions. Demonstrating effective leadership and delegation skills and the ability to develop and motivate staff.

Working pattern

This role is a Fixed Term Appointment for 6 months.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us

How to apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 grade employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Friday 25 September.

If you have questions about your application please contact Tracey.Thompson@nrscotland.gov.uk

Selection Process

All applicants will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager. There will be no formal testing or assessment.

Discussions are expected to be scheduled for w/c TBC

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About us

National Records of Scotland (NRS) is Scotland’s record keeper. Our purpose is to collect, preserve and produce information about Scotland's people and history and make it available to inform current and future generations. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

NRS is a Non-Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government & and our staff are part of the UK 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 about what we offer.

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

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week, we offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options, office working is required for a minimum of 1-2 days per week, days to be determined based on business requirements. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. 

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

For further information about the role, please contact Tracey Thompson at Tracey.Thompson@nrscotland.gov.uk

Apply before: 25/09/2026 (23:59).