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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
18-Sep-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
21813

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title

Lead Capital Accountant MOJ IFRS16

Grade

G7

Business Group

Chief Operating Officer

Contract Type

Permanent

Directorate

FMC

Team

Capital Accounting Team

Location

National

Information about the MoJ and its priorities can be found at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about

Finance / Strategy, Performance and Innovation

The Ministry’s Financial Management and Control directorate brings together multiple teams from across the Ministry into consolidated teams and centres of excellence to deliver high-quality financial management and reporting services for the Ministry.

The Ministry is looking to recruit a technically strong Accountant to join the Capital Accounts team, primarily to lead on lease accounting across the Group. 

The Financial Accounting Leads play a key role in developing the MoJ Financial Accounting Centre of Excellence. Alongside strengthening capacity and capability, we need to ensure that the financial accounting function is agile and able to quickly prioritise work across the organisation to meet competing demands, therefore it is expected that this position will gain a solid understanding of accounting practices across the whole of the Ministry and is able to take on specific tasks/prepare advice in all areas as required.

About the Role

We are looking to recruit an experienced practitioner with an ability to analyse complex information, provide written and verbal advice and explanations that can be easily understood by both finance professionals and non-finance stakeholders. Experience of financial accounts production or external audit would be highly beneficial and expert knowledge of IFRS16 Leases  as adapted for government in the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) is crucial.

Main Activities / Responsibilities

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Managing lease accounting in accordance with the principles of IFRS16 as adapted by the FreM across MOJ group, including HMPPS and HMCTS, including maintenance and management of the Planon system
  • Supervision of MOJ Core capital accounting processes
  • Contributing to the production of the capital elements of the financial statements including notes to the accounts, commissioning and collating information required for the accounts
  • Contributing to the production of financial accounts information for consolidation in MoJ departmental accounts
  • Working with Stakeholders in SSCL, Financial Business Partnering, Management Accounts and the Valuation Office Agency to ensure timely completion of annual activities affecting fixed assets, and the maintenance of good quality audit evidence to support actions taken
  • Liaising with National Audit Office during external audit of annual report and accounts ensuring a good working relationship, excellent communications and delivery of on-time and accurate financial and other information
  • Providing technical accounting advice, acting as subject matter expert on the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), Managing Public Money, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and Cabinet Office spending controls
  • Deputising at Board, Executive Committees and Audit Committees as required
  • Supporting the continuous improvement of business and financial control processes and helping build and develop financial capability and professionalism both inside the function and across the business
  • Identifying and ensuring appropriate management of risks to delivery
  • Managing and coaching staff and ensuring that all professional training and development requirements are met

Management of Resources

Line management of 2-4 staff

Essential Criteria

  • Comprehensive knowledge of IFRS, especially IFRS16 Leases, and the adaptations for government as defined in the FReM;
  • Comprehensive knowledge of FReM reporting requirements for central government;
  • Experience of accounting systems and lease accounting software;
  • Proven ability to meet tight deadlines within unpredictable and demanding environments whilst delivering high-quality products;
  • Excellent team leadership skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven record of building strong working relationships with stakeholders; and
  • Experience of dealing with external auditors

Qualification

You must be a CCAB qualified accountant, or part qualified and working towards qualification

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience of Oracle Financials accounting system (referred to as SOP in MOJ)
  • Experience of Planon lease accounting software
  • Significant understanding of Public Sector Expenditure framework (Managing Public Money, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance etc)
  • Experience of producing financial accounts

Please note that whilst we don’t assess or score ‘desirable’ criteria, we may consider evidence provided that demonstrates meeting the desirable elements of the role, only after essential criteria is assessed and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates. 

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

Sift

Behaviours

Please provide examples of how you have met each of the behaviours below:

  • Leadership (Lead Behaviour)
  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service

Experience

  • Experience of managing IFRS16 leases as adapted by the FReM

Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details, including by grade:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-behaviours#why-we-assess-behaviours

If we receive a large number of applications, we will carry out an initial sift on the lead criteria of Experience question

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams. During the interview, we will be assessing you on Behaviours, Technical and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework.

Behaviours

Please provide examples of how you have met each of the behaviours and experience criteria

  • Leadership (Lead behaviour)
  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service

Technical

You will be asked a question on the topic of IFRS.

Specialist Allowances

In addition to salary, a pensionable, non-contractual specialist allowance may be applicable if you are qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent. Specialist allowances apply to certain roles only, are non-transferable to other roles and are subject to annual review.

Contact: 

Jenny Wilcocks (Jenny.Wilcocks@justice.gov.uk)

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours 

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits 

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension 

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training 

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks 

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

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

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 21813

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Allowance

Finance allowance of £2000 if fully qualified CCAB

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Experience Questions
Experience Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Evidence of Experience
Experience Questions

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected September 2026
Behaviours
Leadership
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Technical
IFRS16 accounting entries
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.