Technical Accounting Expert

On behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) , we are looking for a Technical Accounting Expert (Inside IR35) for a 9 month contract based in London, Sheffield , Manchester or Darlington with 2 days a week office attendance

We are seeking a highly experienced Technical Accounting Expert to provide senior-level accounting expertise in support of one of the largest and most complex financial asset portfolios in government.

This role will play a critical part in ensuring the robust accounting treatment, valuation and financial reporting of the Department's student loan book. Working across finance, policy, analytical and operational teams, you will lead the resolution of complex accounting matters, strengthen the evidence supporting significant judgements and estimates, and help ensure the successful delivery of the 2026-27 financial statements and external audit.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished technical accountant with deep IFRS knowledge and experience of large, complex financial instruments to deliver high-profile and meaningful work.

As a Technical Accounting Expert , your main responsibilities will be:

- Lead a comprehensive review of the technical accounting assessment of the student loan book, with particular focus on IFRS 9 and Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) requirements.
- Review and resolve complex accounting issues impacting recognition, measurement, impairment, modification, derecognition, presentation and disclosure.
- Assess the accounting implications of policy, legislative, operational and modelling changes affecting student loans.
- Review methodologies, assumptions, governance arrangements and supporting evidence for significant accounting estimates and judgements, including expected credit losses, discounting methodologies and loan valuations.
- Prepare clear, robust and well-supported technical accounting papers, setting out relevant requirements, analysis , conclusions and recommendations.
- Strengthen the audit trail and supporting evidence for key balances, estimates, judgements and disclosures.
- Respond to internal and external audit queries, providing timely and technically robust explanations and supporting documentation.
- Work closely with finance and analytical teams to reconcile financial models and source data to the general ledger and published financial statements.
- Investigate accounting variances and discrepancies, agreeing corrective actions where required.
- Review financial statement disclosures and supporting working papers to ensure accuracy, consistency and compliance with applicable standards.
- Provide constructive challenge and practical technical advice to senior finance, policy, analytical and operational stakeholders.
- Support capability building through coaching, documented guidance and knowledge transfer to permanent staff.

Essential:

- Fully qualified accountant with membership of a recognised professional accountancy body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
- Significant post-qualification experience in technical accounting, financial reporting and audit support.
- Strong and up-to-date knowledge of IFRS 9, including practical experience applying the standard to complex financial instruments, lending portfolios or long-term receivables.
- Proven ability to prepare, defend and explain complex technical accounting papers, significant judgements and financial statement disclosures.
- Extensive experience working with complex financial models, large datasets and material accounting estimates.
- Strong understanding of valuation methodologies for financial instruments, including the ability to assess and challenge assumptions, data inputs, methodologies and outputs.
- Demonstrable experience supporting major external audits and successfully resolving complex or contentious accounting matters.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate technical accounting requirements into clear, practical recommendations.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the credibility and confidence to engage effectively with senior leaders , auditors and multidisciplinary specialists.
- Ability to work at pace, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within demanding reporting deadlines.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex accounting issues to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable:

- Experience accounting for student loans, government lending schemes, consumer credit portfolios or other large and complex financial assets.
- Experience applying HM Treasury's Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and preparing central government financial statements.
- Knowledge of public sector financial reporting and government accounting frameworks.
- Experience working closely with economists, statisticians, actuaries, data specialists or valuation experts.
- Previous experience operating within a complex regulatory, public sector or financial services environment.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, DfE encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, DfE welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".