Strategic Finance
What does this activity involve?
Strategic Finance sits at the heart of departmental decision making. They straddle the policy and finance communities. Strategic finance teams advise the Secretary of State and Permanent Secretary on the department’s financial position and the policy and operational choices open to them in order to manage it. They own the institutional relationship with HMT, engaging frequently with their HMT spending team. They lead fiscal events including Spending Reviews and the Budget. They work across their departments in all stages of policy and delivery, and are likely to oversee annual and medium term financial and policy planning. They may have a role in commercial assessment and investment approval, and may oversee mains and supplementary estimates. They may have specific policy responsibilities alongside their finance role, and a role in the formal policy development and decision making process at all levels. It is likely they produce and communicate, at senior levels, strategic level management information, supported by analysis functions.
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Civil Service Grades
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Executive Officer | Higher Executive Officer | Senior Executive Officer | Grade 7 | Grade 6 | Senior Civil Service 1 |
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| Typical Role Responsibilities |
NOTE : There are no EOs in Strategic Finance teams, unless PA or support staff |
There are very few HEOs in Strategic Finance teams. They typically support and assist delivery in the Strategic Finance teams. |
SEOs in Strategic Finance are responsible for building strong relationships and leading key processes and products across the Department.. They aim to communicate requirements and expectations clearly and provide valuable advice, challenge and support, and strategic insight to deliver quality outputs to time, often with tight deadlines for delivery. |
G7s provide strategic advice and analysis on financial impact, performance and risk to senior stakeholders and through this contribute to the strategic direction of the Department. They work with strategy on fiscal events and negotiations with HMT, coordinating across the department and supporting effective relationships with the HMT spending team. They maintain strong relationships with senior and wider stakeholders, including HMT, bringing insight and influence through effective communication. |
Leading on departmental financial planning at single year and multiyear Spending Reviews and Fiscal Events, and are responsible for building and maintaining the single point of contact relationship with HMT for the whole department. They are the trusted expert on departmental and cross government spending controls, and are responsible for ensuring the Accounting Officer is able to justify and defend their use of public funds to Parliament and the Public. |
SCS1s are expected to be an integral part of the organisation's senior leaders group, forging strong relationships with strategy, policy and operational teams across the organisation ensuring the financial strategy and plans are fully aligned to the organisations strategy. They are responsible for the relationship with HMT and others in the centre of Government and often oversee various different aspects of strategic finance. |
| Entry Route |
May be suitable for staff with the required skills and/or experience from within finance, policy or private office/strategic roles |
May be suitable for staff with the required skills and/or experience from within finance, policy or private office/strategic roles |
Only suitable for staff with the required skills and/or experience from within finance, policy or private office/strategic roles. |
Only suitable for staff with the required skills and/or experience from within finance, policy or private office/strategic roles. |
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| Typical qualifications & professional memberships |
While qualification is not essential for Strategic Finance SEOs, it is recommended there is a balance of qualified staff with CCAB, CIMA and experience in relevant strategic/policy roles with clear evidence of strong numeric ability across strategic finance teams. |
While qualification is not essential for Strategic Finance G7s, it is recommended there is a balance of qualified staff with CCAB, CIMA and experience in relevant strategic/policy roles with clear evidence of strong numeric ability across strategic finance teams. |
There is no requirement for Strategic Finance G6s to be qualified with CCAB or CIMA, as long as there is sufficient qualified expertise at G7, SCS1 and SCS2. |
There is no requirement for Strategic Finance SCS1s to be qualified with CCAB or CIMA, as long as there is sufficient qualified expertise at G6 and SCS2. |