Accountant in Bankruptcy - Non-Executive Advisory Board Member

ID

2023-7550

# of Posts

2

Closing Date

07/01/2024

Category

Governance

Hire Type

External

We are actively seeking two accomplished and strategic financial professionals to join our team as Non-Executive Advisory Board Member in the dynamis field of bankruptcy accounting. 

Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is an executive agency of the Scottish Government with responsibility for administering the process of personal bankruptcy, administering the Debt Arrangement Scheme and recording corporate insolvencies in Scotland. AiB’s mission is to ensure access to fair and just processes of debt relief and debt management for the people of Scotland, which takes account of the rights and interests of those involved.

The Agency’s Advisory Board supports and advises the Chief Executive on corporate governance, performance and other issues as may from time to time arise. It does not have the role in the development of policy, which is a matter for Scottish Ministers.

Advisory Board members are drawn from those sectors that make up the most relevant of the Agency’s stakeholders – although members are on merit and will act as representatives of these sectors.

As an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, non-executive board members are appointed on merit by the Chief Executive and are not ministerial public appointments.

Period of Appointment

The appointment will be for a period of two years with the option of reappointment up to a maximum of 6 years, subject to a satisfactory performance assessment and meeting the continuing requirements of the Agency.

Time Commitment and Location

Non-executive board members are expected to attend the quarterly meetings of the Advisory Board and quarterly meetings of the Audit and Risk Committee or the Policy and Cases Committee. There may be additional ad-hoc meetings. As an Advisory Board member the minimum time expectation will be four days per annum. This will increase to approximately eight to ten days per annum for membership of the Audit Committee or Policy and Cases Committee.

Meetings take place both virtually over Microsoft Teams and in person at the AiB office in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire. On occasion alternative Scottish Government offices may be used.

Remuneration

Posts are non-salaried and non-pensionable, but currently attract a daily rate of £256 for attending meetings and related work.

Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses and any dependent carer expenses will also be reimbursed.

Accountability

Non-executive board members are appointed by, and ultimately accountable to the Agency Chief Executive.

The successful candidates will be invited to become members of AiB’s Audit Committee where experience of finance, risk and governance is essential with CCAB or equivalent qualification.

General Duties – Advisory Board

Non-executive board members are members of the Agency’s Advisory Board and play a key role in:

• Helping to shape the strategic vision of the Agency
• contributing to and participating in the effective running of the Advisory Board
• using external experience to provide constructive and effective challenge in Advisory Board discussions and decision-making
• providing independent advice on corporate level management issues and proposed solutions.
• supporting the promotion of the Agency’s reputation with our key stakeholders and customers.

As an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, non-executive board members are appointed on merit by the Chief Executive and are not ministerial public appointments.

General Duties – Audit Committee

The Agency’s Audit Committee is designed to support, through a process of constructive challenge and review, the Chief Executive, in their capacity as Accountable Officer (AO), particularly in relation to their responsibilities for issues of risk, control and governance. This includes reviewing the reliability, integrity and comprehensiveness of assurances in meeting the AO’s assurance needs.

The Audit Committee will advise the AO on:

• the strategic processes for risk, control and governance
• the processes and procedures for ensuring that material business risks are properly identified and managed and that appropriate systems of monitoring and control are in place
• material breaches of risk limits whether caused by control weakness or breakdown, dishonesty, fraud or negligence, ensuring that management action in response is commensurate to the breach reported
• the planned activity and results of both internal and external audit
• the adequacy of management response to relevant issues identified by audit activity or by Parliamentary Committees
• assurances relating to corporate governance requirements e.g. certificates of assurance and issues relating to the AO’s signing of a governance statement the adequacy of the Agency’s fraud and whistle blowing procedures and the key issues emerging on a regular basis.

Essential Criteria and Qualifications

We are looking for someone who brings specialist knowledge and experience at a strategic level with a background in one of the following sectors:

• Creditor organisations engaging with individuals with problem debt – ideally with an in depth knowledge of Scottish insolvency legislation; or
• Insolvency services provision; or
• Accounting and corporate governance with CCAB or equivalent qualification.

AiB takes a digital by default approach to its operational model. The ideal candidate for this role will have a good understanding of IT and cyber security and be comfortable in challenging the technology status quo.

Applications should demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria by completing the attached application form. The completed form should be sent to no later than midnight at the end of Sunday 7 January 2024.

Application form

Further Information

If you require further information about the role, please contact Richard Dennis, Agency Chief Executive by email at

Further information on the Agency, its responsibilities and the current Advisory Board can be found at