Finance and Systems Assurance Officer

Leeds, Stratford

Job Summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

We have an exciting opportunity to join one of our Financial Accreditation (FA) Teams.

Our FA Teams have three strategic objectives; we are the finance keyholders for HMRC Change programmes, we provide assurance to CFO that changes to systems and processes meet finance requirements, whilst building a high-performing team that supports wider government economic aims through HMRC’s work.

As a principal keyholder of HMRC’s finance systems, we ensure that all changes meet our standards, summarised in five key guardrails, and provide assurance to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) that these standards are upheld. We provide expert advice and support on accounting treatments, financial controls, and risk management to programmes throughout the end-to-end (E2E) change lifecycle, ensuring that all financial aspects of change are robust, compliant, and well-governed.

You will work in a fast-paced environment, building relationships, and providing specialist financial advice and support to assist in driving forward effective transformation of HMRC’s finance systems and processes. You will specify finance requirements for change initiatives and ensure they are delivered.

This will allow HMRC to account for, receive and pay out money in accordance with strategy and Accounting Standards. This role gives an outstanding opportunity to develop key leadership, assurance and collaboration skills.

Our vacancy sits in one of the FA Teams, which forms part of Finance Systems Strategy and Change in Risk, Control & Financial Accountant (RCFA). Our team plays a key role in HMRC Transformation by ensuring excellent financial management and control throughout the HMRC Change process by accrediting changes to financial systems and processes. You will work closely with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that we design the systems and processes to support the delivery of change through key milestones by effectively managing risks, caveats, High Level requirements and produce monthly progress reports through development and production of KPI’s along with looking at ways of innovating our process.

Job Description

• Become an expert in financial accreditation processes, ensuring high level requirements are met by the Change programme for the portfolio of projects/programmes assigned to you.
• Engage with SMEs, across several finance and specialist areas to ensure change requirements are delivered and tested to our standards.
• Being a 'critical friend' with key HMRC Change Delivery programmes, whilst acting in a sensitive and diplomatic manner. Ensuring that the financial journey delivered by the project is safe, secure, auditable and allows HMRC accounts to be produced accurately.
• Communicate with senior management using appropriate styles, methods and timing, to maximise understanding and impact.
  
  

You will join a welcoming and accomplished team of accreditors, who have a wide knowledge of tax and finance accounting systems and processes.

Successful candidates will undertake a bespoke training programme enabling you to:

• Represent Finance in a project change environment, introducing and driving forward our requirements.
• Influence the financial accreditation process as the team adapts to the pace of HMRC Change and the way we deliver Financial Accreditation.
• Develop the skills needed to build co-operative partnerships with project and programs teams to ensure Finance requirements are understood and developed.
  
  

Critically you'll then be assuring the subsequent changes made to ensure that they align with internal and external standards.

We do this throughout the project lifecycle process, providing accreditation and assurance for changes to HMRCs financial systems and processes.

• Become an expert in financial accreditation processes, ensuring high level requirements are met by the Change programme for the portfolio of projects/programmes assigned to you.
• Engage with SMEs, across several finance and specialist areas to ensure change requirements are delivered and tested to our standards.
• Being a 'critical friend' with key HMRC Change Delivery programmes, whilst acting in a sensitive and diplomatic manner. Ensuring that the financial journey delivered by the project is safe, secure, auditable and allows HMRC accounts to be produced accurately.
• Communicate with senior management using appropriate styles, methods and timing, to maximise understanding and impact.
  
  

You will join a welcoming and accomplished team of accreditors, who have a wide knowledge of tax and finance accounting systems and processes.

Successful candidates will undertake a bespoke training programme enabling you to:

• Represent Finance in a project change environment, introducing and driving forward our requirements.
• Influence the financial accreditation process as the team adapts to the pace of HMRC Change and the way we deliver Financial Accreditation.
• Develop the skills needed to build co-operative partnerships with project and programs teams to ensure Finance requirements are understood and developed.
  
  

Critically you'll then be assuring the subsequent changes made to ensure that they align with internal and external standards.

We do this throughout the project lifecycle process, providing accreditation and assurance for changes to HMRCs financial systems and processes.

Person specification

Responsibilities

Working closely with experienced Accreditors, HMRC Change leads and Finance/IT specialists you will be responsible for:

• Leading the accreditation of change initiatives.
• Being a finance project stakeholder ensuring finance requirements are delivered by the project team to attain a safe, secure and auditable financial journey.
• Managing risks, issues and prioritising your own work so that you meet critical deadlines.
• Ensuring that changes made to Finance systems and processes meet Finance strategy.
• Working with an expert team of accreditors, to continually build capability that will ensure efficient delivery that meets the future demands of HMRC.
  
  

Essential Criteria

You will need to have -

• Finance skills in one or more of the following areas, risk management, systems, processes, general ledger, or change.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with evidence of influencing and engaging with business partners in a large, dispersed organisation.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and concisely.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and conflicting priorities from multiple sources.
• Ability to analyse information, summarise and use judgement on recommendations.
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• Ability to demonstrate either project management, audit or assurance skills.
• Experience of working on transformation programmes, in a project change environment or working knowledge of one or more areas of taxation.
  
  

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC’s Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Qualifications

To be eligible for this role, you must be:

• Part Qualified/Fully Qualified CCAB member, or CIMA, or actively working towards or a willingness to qualify.
• Part/fully qualified Association of Accounting Technician (AAT).
  
  

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Alongside your salary of £37,682, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £10,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.
  
  

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

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, Ability and Experience.

How To Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences of up to your last 3 roles with no more than 100 words per role.
• A 750-word Personal Statement. Your personal statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the essential criteria and person specification outlined in the advert.
  
  

Please evidence any Desirable Criteria where applicable (up to 250 words max). This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy holder where candidates have the same score at interview.

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

After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended) and ensure you allow sufficient time to complete and submit the final stage of your application after submitting your online test.

The deadline for both the test and the application is 12/06/2026 at 23.55

Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on your Personal Statement.

At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed and you will be asked behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of, and you will be asked strength-based questions to also explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.

You will also be asked to provide a 5-minute presentation on the topic: Your skills and experience, and how you will add value to this position

This Is An Example Of a Strengths-based Question

“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: [email protected] – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

Sponsorship

We have assessed this role against both Home Office and HMRC criteria and we are unable to offer sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa. This means the vacancy is not open to applicants who require visa sponsorship

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You’ll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

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 – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, merit lists will be created for each location advertised within the vacancy. If you are successful at interview, you will be placed on the merit list for any locations you have expressed an interest for. Appointments from each merit list will be made in strict merit order.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

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

Contact the UBS Recruitment team via [email protected] 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.

Will you require a reasonable adjustment during the online tests? The tests required for this vacancy do not have a time limit. You don't need to ask for additional time. If you need any other adjustment, you can find further information in the Reasonable adjustment guide for online tests (opens in a new window). If you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to assist prior to the vacancy closing.

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ‘help’ section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Important Information For Existing HMRC Contractual Homeworkers

Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

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.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

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

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK.

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

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

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.

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.

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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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 : Trudi Normington
• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles.

In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via [email protected] . Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.