Finance Business Partners (SEO) x 4

Job summary

The Insolvency Service is a leading government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified or final-year part-qualified accountant to join the Insolvency Service as a Finance Business Partner (FBP) within the Strategic Finance Function of the Finance and Commercial Operating Group.

As part of our team, you will play a central role in supporting the financial health and planning of the Insolvency Service, whilst also providing dedicated financial support to key projects and change initiatives.

This is a high-impact, varied role combining core finance business partnering responsibilities with elements of project accounting, business case support, and investment appraisal. You will work closely with Senior Leaders and stakeholders to provide insight, challenge, and guidance that drives effective decision-making.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 9 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability network group, Employee Assistance, Representatives, FACES Network Group, LGBT+, Mind Matters, Part Time Workers, The Shed - Men’s Network Group and Women’s Network Group.

We offer full-time, part-time, job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, through our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!

Job description

The Finance Business Partnering teams support the Agency’s Operating Groups and Project Portfolio by:

• monitoring financial health and performance
• supporting with delivering of robust financial plans and forecasts
• informing strategic and operational decision-making
• providing financial oversight of projects and initiatives.

You will work collaboratively across a team of FBPs and Cost Centre Managers (CCMs), with opportunities to contribute across the wider finance function.

What We Offer

Development & Training

• Support to complete your professional qualification (if applicable).
• Opportunity to complete the CIPFA Diploma in Finance Business Partnering.
• Access to further training, e.g. Better Business Cases training.

Working Environment

• A collaborative, supportive and high-performing team.
• Encouragement and support to undertake continuous improvement activity.
• Exposure across operational finance and project finance work.

Additional Information

• Month-end is a critical period; leave at this time is approved by exception.
• We welcome applications for part time or job share arrangements, and all requests will be considered in line with our flexible working policy and business needs.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate can expect to be involved in a range of the following:

Finance Business Partnering

• Act as the primary finance contact for Directors and senior stakeholders
• Build strong, trusted relationships across our Operating Groups
• Provide clear financial advice, insight, and constructive challenge
• Support strategic decision-making discussions

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Manage the annual budget and multi-year forecast process for your business areas
• Analyse financial data and business drivers to inform planning assumptions
• Identify financial risks and opportunities, driving appropriate reporting and monitoring actions
• Produce financial reporting, insight and recommendations for senior stakeholders

Project Accounting & Business Case Support

• Provide financial support to projects and change initiatives, ensuring robust financial oversight
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of business cases, using Green Book methodology and challenging assumptions where needed
• Assess financial impacts across multiple years (e.g. capitalisation, IFRS16 considerations)
• Support project forecasting, tracking spend and ensuring alignment with approved budgets
• Provide financial input into project boards and governance processes

Financial Control & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and standards (e.g. IFRS, IAS, FReM, Managing Public Money)
• Maintain strong financial controls and perform financial health checks
• Support internal and external audit activity
• Provide advice on accounting treatment, VAT and complex transactions

Financial Management & Reporting

• Monitor spend against budgets across both BAU and project activity
• Lead forecast reviews and support month-end processes, including reporting and variance analysis
• Ensure transparent reporting of income, expenditure and benefits
• Provide consolidated returns and reporting to central Finance teams

Line Management (applies to some roles)

• Line manage a Cost Centre Manager (HEO grade)
• Support their development and performance
• Oversee cost centre management, reporting and transactional activity

Person specification

As a Finance Business Partner, you will:

• have an inquisitive mind and be able to constructively challenge at all levels to achieve the right results
• be able to keep your own and the team’s efforts focused on the goals that really matter and successfully manage, support and stretch yourself to deliver agreed outcomes by being proactive and taking ownership and accountability for decisions and commitments
• have a keen eye for detail and a tenacious approach to your work
• have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and be able to recognise patterns, trends and draw key conclusions in a wide range of information and data
• have the ability to build and establish positive relationships with a range of stakeholders to support the delivery of business outcomes and possess good interpersonal skills and communication skills, written and verbal
• be willing to occasionally travel to other offices or locations to attend meetings when required.

Essential Criteria

• IMPORTANT: you must be a fully qualified current member of a CCAB Accountancy Institute or CIMA; Or a part-qualified current member of a CCAB Accountancy Institute or CIMA and in your final level of study (i.e., for CIMA you will be currently studying Strategic Level exams, for ACCA you will be currently studying Strategic Professional exams)
• If the successful candidate is in the final level of study, they will be committed to completing their studies and log book within a maximum of 12 months of appointment (pro-rated based on exams left to complete). Successful applicants will receive funding towards their final CCAB or CIMA exams if appropriate
• Experience in Management or Project Accounting
• Be able to work autonomously without prompt
• Have a strong level of excel skills, with the willingness to enhance further

Qualifications

Applicants must be a fully qualified current member of a CCAB Accountancy Institute or CIMA; Or a part-qualified current member of a CCAB Accountancy Institute or CIMA and in your final level of study (i.e., for CIMA you will be currently studying Strategic Level exams, for ACCA you will be currently studying Strategic Professional exams).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Short accounting treatment assessment presentation.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,429, Insolvency Service contributes £14,029 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV

• Personal Statement

• Behaviours

• Behaviour 1 – Communicating and Influencing

• Behaviour 2 - Delivering at Pace

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

CV Guidance

Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.

Note: Your CV will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.

Personal Statement Guidance

Your personal statement should be no more than 750 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

• Experience

• Technical Skills

• Strengths

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – week commencing 13/07/2026

Interview – week commencing 03/08/2026

Location - MS Teams

Your interview will be conducted by video. You will be notified of this if you are selected for interview. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Visa Applicants

To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Insolvency Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via Insolvencyrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Sarah Jeffrey
• Email : sarah.jeffrey@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel there have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process or that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact hr.recruitment@insolvency.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Insolvency Service Candidate Information Pack (Sept 2025) Opens in new window (pdf, 6459kB)Applying for a Job - A Candidate Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 3061kB)