4,032 Jobs

Job summary

Join the Finance & Commercial Operating Group at the Insolvency Service!

Do you have a passion for finance and a desire to make a real impact? Are you based in Manchester or Birmingham?

The Insolvency Service is a leading Government Agency, playing a crucial role in supporting businesses and individuals facing financial difficulty. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where you can develop your expertise and contribute to the Agency's success.

The Agency is seeking to recruit a job share role as the Head of Income & Estates Financial Accounts Team within our Finance & Commercial Operating Group. This role reports to the Head of Core Finance and has line management of 1 SEO directly and 1 SEO indirectly.

The work within this team is unique and at the heart of the Insolvency Service Finance team, it offers flexibility and the opportunity to learn transformational skills.

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 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 first key element of the role is to lead the provision of technical and accounting advice for the Agency’s 16 fees and charges, which total approximately £68m. This includes overseeing annual reviews to ensure charges appropriately recover the cost-of-service delivery, while ensuring compliance with HM Treasury requirements and international accounting principles.

The role also works in close partnership with Strategic Finance, supporting the effective implementation of change and providing expert advice on technical accounting implications. More broadly, it offers trusted advice and assurance to the Finance & Commercial Director, Accounting Officer, Executive Committee and Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee on the overall health and sustainability of Agency income.

The second key element of the role is to lead the delivery of the Agency’s Annual Insolvency Service and Investment Published Accounts, representing approximately £1bn of activity. This involves working closely with the National Audit Office and senior leaders across the Official Receiver Service, while also supporting strategic cash decisions that help maintain the financial health of third-party cash bank accounts.

Overall, the role combines strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement with hands-on delivery, with responsibilities broadly balanced between leading and supporting key stakeholders and directly delivering high-quality financial outputs.

Responsibilities

Fees and Charges

• lead the annual review of each of the 16 fees and charges, ensuring they support full cost recovery and remain aligned with relevant financial and governance requirements
• partner with Strategic Finance Senior Leaders to provide clear analysis and effective handover, supporting successful first-time implementation of agreed changes
• assess the technical accounting and financial implications of strategic, policy and project-related change proposals
• work closely with the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury on netting-off agreements and approvals for fee changes
• support production of the Agency’s Annual Report and Accounts, including the audit of income-related policies and procedures
• ensure Agency compliance with Managing Public Money, International Financial Reporting Standards, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and the Financial Reporting Manual

Annual Insolvency Service Account and Investment Account

• lead the preparation and delivery of the annual Insolvency Service and Insolvency Investment Accounts, relating to the Agency’s third-party cash holdings. Ensuring laying pre-parliamentary summer recess
• lead engagement and support for National Audit Office reviews of the accounts
• lead an annual financial health review of the Insolvency Service Accounts to support Audit Risk and Assurance Committee on its assessment around the Agency’s stewardship of funds
• oversee the production of regular management reporting on payments, receipts and balances for the Official Receiver Service operations
• oversee monthly bank reconciliation assurance for cashflow across relevant bank accounts
• oversee support to Treasury Management teams on the application and review of working capital policies, including the direct and indirect collection of outstanding cash liabilities each quarter

Person specification

Essential criteria:

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• strong technical accounting knowledge, with the ability to explain complex accounting concepts clearly and confidently to non-finance stakeholders
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly, accurately and persuasively
• experience of interpreting and applying International Financial Reporting Standards, alongside a sound understanding of relevant legislative principles
• strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a range of stakeholders and support the delivery of successful business outcomes
• strong organisational and self-management skills, with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and respond effectively to emerging challenges

Desirable criteria:

• knowledge of system accounting and experience of using Power BI to support analysis, reporting and insight
• experience and knowledge of central government financial reporting requirements, including the Financial Reporting Manual, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and Managing Public Money
• previous experience of fees and charges accounting and/or laying accounts, although this is not a prerequisite
• experience of preparing submissions and papers for senior forums, such as Boards, Audit Committees or other governance groups.

Essential Requirements

Fully qualified and active membership with a CCAB or CIMA professional body or equivalent. Please direct questions about qualifications to: scott.barrett@insolvency.gov.uk

Further Information

Both Grade 7's will drive all elements of the job description, but this part of the role will be assigned Income as their specific area of delivery.

Due to the requirements of the existing job-share arrangement, the working pattern for this post is fixed at Wednesday to Friday and cannot be amended. You will be working alongside an existing job-share partner who works Monday to Wednesday.

We encourage prospective applicants to get in touch if they have any questions about the role, working pattern or recruitment process before submitting an application.

Qualifications

Full CCAB or CIMA qualification or equivalent.

Memberships

Full active membership of CCAB or CIMA.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Presentation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,367, Insolvency Service contributes £16,619 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

Some benefits may be adjusted proportionately to reflect the contracted hours worked. Full details will be provided to the successful candidate.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

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

• CV
• Personal Statement

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 CV, 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.

Where high volumes of strong applications are expected or received, we may raise the ‘benchmark’ minimum score required at the sift stage. If a high volume of candidates meet the benchmark score, we may further raise the score required for interview selection. Scores will be applied fairly and consistently. Applicants eligible under a recruitment scheme may, where appropriate, continue to be considered against the agreed ‘benchmark’ score, to support the purpose of the scheme.

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 500 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, as well as any desirable criteria. This will help provide a clearer basis for scoring and will be particularly useful in the event of tied scores.

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

• Behaviours - assessed through:
• Behaviour 1 - Making Effective Decisions
• Behaviour 2 - Communicating and Influencing
• Behaviour 3 - Seeing the Big Picture
• Behaviour 4 - Delivering at Pace

• Technical Skills - Technical skills test presentation with details shared ahead of interviews.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – week commencing 17/08/26

Interview – week commencing 07/09/26

Location - North West Regional Centre - Manchester

Your interview will be conducted face to face. 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.

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

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

Queries and Support

When contacting us or the Government Recruitment Service (GRS) using the contact details at the bottom of this advert, please include the 6-digit Vacancy ID, job title, your full name and, where applicable, your 8-digit Applicant ID in the email subject line. This will help us process your enquiry more efficiently.

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 : Scott Barrett
• Email : scott.barrett@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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)