Senior Qualified Accountant

Job summary

Can you provide expert advice and insight that helps shape key business decisions and drive organisational success?

Have you built strong relationships with stakeholders and delivered value through sound financial and assurance practices?

Are you looking for a rewarding career with a forward-thinking team committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and professional development?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Finance and Assurance Services (FAS) Directorate at DVLA is a vibrant and dynamic place to work. We play a key role in supporting the Agency to achieve its strategic aims and to deliver effective value for money by providing clear advice and robust insight to inform decisions. We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities for continuous improvement. We also offer modern, flexible ways of working and opportunities for you to develop as part of a welcoming and innovative team, and we are recognised as a ‘Platinum Employer’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Our strategy is to be at the heart of decision-making. We are experts in our field and pride ourselves on providing a professional service to all of our customers and stakeholders. We operate within seamless governance and assurance processes, and we are fully committed to developing all of our staff to their full potential through formal learning and development courses and more informal shadowing and mentoring opportunities.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA:

DVLA – Home , Civil Service Careers

Job description

The Senior Qualified Accountant role being recruited is pivotal in supporting financial planning, analysis and decision-making across the Agency, helping to ensure robust financial management and compliance with government frameworks and professional standards.

As a Senior Qualified Accountant, you will provide high-quality financial advice, analysis and professional expertise to support strategic decision-making, drive continuous improvement and deliver value across DVLA. You will work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, applying your technical expertise to provide insight, challenge and support across a range of financial activities.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

1.Undertaking detailed financial analysis and presenting insights clearly and effectively to senior stakeholders.

2.Leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of financial policies, processes and controls.

3.Delivering a range of strategic, operational and ad hoc assignments in line with agreed priorities.

4.Developing subject matter expertise and providing professional advice on financial activities, standards, policies and best practice.

5.Ensuring the accuracy, integrity and quality of financial information used to support decision-making.

6.Building effective relationships and collaborating with colleagues across the Finance and Assurance Services Directorate and wider Agency.

7.Developing, maintaining and analysing cost models to support financial planning, forecasting and strategic decision-making.

8.Providing constructive challenge and support to stakeholders to promote sound financial management and value for money.

For further information about the responsibilities, please see the attached candidate pack.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills set out in the Civil Service Line Management Standards.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile.Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

We are looking for individuals who hold a recognised CCAB or CIMA professional qualification and can demonstrate:

1. Strong technical accounting skills and the ability to apply them in a complex organisational environment.
2. The ability to build effective relationships and communicate financial information clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.
3. Experience of providing high-quality financial advice and support to inform decision-making.
4. A proactive and collaborative approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
5. Adaptability and resilience, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities.

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Additional Information

To apply for this role, please visit the Hays Recruitment website here - https://www.hays.co.uk/job-detail/senior-qualified-accountant-swansea_4825400?&jobSource=HaysGCJ

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Memberships

Candidates must hold full CCAB or CIMA membership

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

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 and Experience.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

1. Experience applying technical accounting knowledge in a complex environment.
2. Experience providing high quality financial advice to support business decisions.
3. Strong stakeholder skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
4. Experience improving processes, solving problems, and adapting to changing priorities.

The sift will take place from 21/09/2026

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – Delivering at Pace, Communicating and influencing
• Experience

You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Behaviour Communicating & Influencing. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place week commencing 12/10/2026

This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office (DVLA, Longview Road, Morriston, Swansea). Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

Please visit the Hays Recruitment website to apply for this role.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for.

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

• Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour
• Threats or acts of violence
• Illegal activity or substance misuse
• Sexually explicit material
• Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle - it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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.

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 : Louis Chapman
• Email : louis.chapman@hays.com

Recruitment team

• Email : jenny.leyshon@dvla.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission

Attachments

Candidate Pack - SEO Opens in new window (pdf, 950kB)Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 205kB)