Lead Management Accountant (Ref: 77694)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Job Title/ Position        Lead Management Accountant

Grade    SEO

Number of Vacancies    4

Business Group    Chief Operating Officer

Directorate    Financial Management & Control – Management Accounting CoE

Location    National

Hours    37

Post Type     Permanent 

Role Type/ Team    Finance / Management Accounting Centre of Excellence

Ministry of Justice an Inclusive Employer

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer of choice and ensuring equity of opportunity for all. We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring in terms of their culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Overview

•    The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) sits at the heart of public service delivery and the government’s wider social reform agenda, working to protect and advance the principles of justice. The department has been at the forefront of the Government’s wider efficiency agenda making our finance roles an exciting and challenging opportunity.
•    The MoJ Management Accounting Centre of Excellence team sits within the Financial Management and Control Directorate and supports the department by providing a centralised, professional service to the department and individual business areas, adhering to the key principles in Managing Public Money, the Estimates Manual, the Spending Controls Framework and Budget Holder Responsibilities. It supports all MoJ operational Agencies, Arms-length Bodies (ALBs) and Head Quarter (HQ) functions (resource budget ~£10bn, capital budget ~£1.7bn) in providing robust, timely and transparent management accounting services. 
•    The MoJ Management Accounting Centre of Excellence works closely with other Finance teams, including the Finance Business Partnering teams, to provide a high-quality finance service to the department. The teams have recently been structurally separated with clearly defined roles and responsibilities but must work closely together to deliver an effective end-to-end process of data extraction, analysis, reporting, insight, and advice.

•    The MoJ Management Accounting Centre of Excellence will promote and maintain best practice in management accounting, business intelligence, data integrity and visualisation, reporting from a standard suite that is tailored where necessary. It will also seek to exploit new and existing technology as an enabler to delivering more efficient services and focus on streamlining and optimising processes.

Role Summary 

•    This is a lead management accountant role within one of the operational MA teams within the MoJ Management Accounting Centre of Excellence.  The postholder will need to be flexible in their approach as they may be asked to support one or more of the MoJ agencies and/or headquarter functions.

•    This role description applies to all SEO roles within the MoJ MA Centre of Excellence (MA CoE) operational teams. Where more than one applicant meets the minimum criteria for the role, the unsuccessful candidates will be placed on a merit list.  If there are further vacancies for SEO roles within the MA CoE in the next 12 months candidates can be taken from the merit list without running a new recruitment campaign.  Candidates will need to be flexible in their approach as they may be asked to support similar roles in different teams across the MA CoE to meet business needs. 
•    This role offers a great opportunity to become part of the MoJ Management Accounting Centre of Excellence and contribute to its’ continued development. It is a team constantly evolving, working towards its’ vision which is: ‘A Centre of Excellence, recognised for delivering high quality financial management and insight to our customers, by a respected capable team which constantly strives to reform and improve in order to add value’.

The role leads the accounting team(s) for the allocated business area Directorate(s)/functions within MoJ Management Accounting and provides assurance to the Senior Management Accountant on the strategic financial position. It provides clear analytical interpretation of financial information.

The post holder will be responsible for building and maintaining effective key stakeholder relationships within the allocated directorate(s)/functions with finance business partners, the wider Finance function and across the MoJ business community. 

The post holder will also be accountable to the Senior Management Accountant for providing clear high-quality financial information and analytical interpretation of the financial position. This will include identifying potential financial risks, mitigating actions and opportunities, and providing challenge as appropriate. 

The post holder may be required to manage staff that could be geographically dispersed. 

Typical Role Responsibilities 

Management Reporting SEOs are expected to lead teams in insightful storytelling, intelligent analytics and be recognised and respected in the Finance community, producing accurate and timely information to support decision making.  

Entry Routes 

Within Finance

This role may be suitable for individuals in the following roles:
•    Management Reporting HEO
•    Business Partnering SEO
•    Finance HEOs/SEOs with the required numeracy and data analysis skills

From Outside Finance

This role may be suitable for HEOs on promotion and SEOs with the required numeracy and data analysis skills and previous finance experience

Progression Routes

Staff in this role typically move into other SEO roles in Finance, for example Financial Operations SEO, or progress to Management Reporting G7

Responsibilities, Key Skills and Knowledge 

•    Accountable for understanding and providing monthly, quarterly, and annual time critical consolidated financial analysis for allocated directorate/areas, meeting local and published timelines.
•    Responsible for challenging and influencing decision making at directorate/function level through analysis, interpretation, and insight of key management information, making best use of data sources available to identify trends, patterns, and variance analysis.
•    Responsible for improving the integrity, quality, and transparency of data (actuals, budget, forecast) and assisting in the production of monthly management accounts and reporting, increasing use of business intelligence and data visualisation (e.g., production of dashboards) to tell the story behind the numbers with impact.
•    Provision of finance expertise and timely financial information to Finance Business Partners and the Business, while driving efficient and effective service delivery.
•    In liaison with Finance Business Partner colleagues, understand directorate financial risks and opportunities, ensuring they are escalated to the Senior Management Accountant and stakeholders as identified, ensuring an accurate picture is incorporated within the wider Agency accounts. Develop close working links with the Strategic MA team with regards to the monthly Risk Register commission.
•    Support the Senior Management Accountant in the identification and implementation of continuous improvement in new ways of working, adopting smarter processes and focusing on delivering core value adding activities; lead in the development of ‘thematic’ analytics expertise.
•    Collaboration with finance colleagues to meet finance related intra-departmental dependencies – including Financial Accounts Team (quarterly consolidated information, responding to National Audit Office queries); Compliance/Governance Team (sharing of information, support to the Business); and Systems Team (transactional compliance, data analysis).
•    Support functions of cash management, financial accounting, governance, control, and audit.
•    Accountable to the Senior Management Accountant for policy compliance, including Managing Public Money and other MoJ and HM Treasury financial control framework requirements.
•    Collaborate with colleagues across the wider MA team to develop close and effective working relationships and practices, enabling resilience and consistency in delivery, building on cross team working and removal of areas of duplication.
•    Develop close and effective working relationships and practices with colleagues, ensuring strong collaborative partnerships with senior, regional finance business partners and their teams, supporting to meet priorities, and changing demands of the business through flexible service delivery. 
•    Possible direct/matrix line management of staff, coaching, rewarding, and managing performance in line with MoJ policies (including touchpoints, reward and recognition and talent management) and promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity, respecting difference and external experience, supporting the principles of fairness of opportunity for all.  
•    Support the function priorities assisting with the development and implementation of the Management Accounting Centre of Excellence.

Other duties

The post holder will be required to work flexibly and undertake other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post. This may also include working closely with other MoJ Finance staff to develop solutions/problem-solve, engaging in project work to drive financial improvements.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

Person Specification

•    Experienced in a financial leadership role, requiring management accounting ability and proven line management skills, including professional oversight of finance staff and the ability to work with and/or manage a geographically dispersed team.
•    Ability to consolidate financial and other information to deadlines and experience of presenting financial interpretation and recommendations at Senior Manager level including good report writing skills.
•    Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to network, negotiate and influence effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
•    Track record in making effective decisions, reviewing complex supplier routines (ICT – desired) with provision of good concise management information to support robust forecasting.
•    Experience of managing projects and of project accounting, whole life cycle of projects and programmes including of one-off and on-going costs and staff capitalisation
•    Experience in central government financial management, financial analysis and financial planning, with a working knowledge of Oracle based finance systems e.g., SOP, Hyperion/SmartView, strong Microsoft Excel skills and a working knowledge of managing database extracts, both financial and non-financial.
•    Ability to adopt a proactive problem-solving approach in responding to the changing needs of the business.
•    Experience of dealing with external auditors.
•    Experience of working in an ICT environment (desired)
•    Analysis of ICT contracts and application to Total Cost of Ownership reviews and production of Service Tower based key performance-based indicators (desired); and
•    Working knowledge of re-charges and the need for them.

Behaviours Required 

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours, and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

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

Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which can be found here, to complete this application: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf
If we receive a large volume of applications, we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Managing a Quality Service.
In addition to Civil Service Behaviours identified above, please provide further details as listed below:
•    A Statement of Suitability is required consisting of a maximum of 250 words

Interpersonal Skills 

•    Support Grade 7/6 Senior Management Accountant in producing the monthly financial reports
•    Develop collaborative relationships with key stakeholders e.g., Finance Business Partners, Governance, senior budget holders (customers)
•    Good coaching and leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage a team
•    Ability to effectively negotiate with stakeholders

Professional Skills 

Key for Levels of Professional Skills
•    A = Awareness
•    W = Working
•    P = Practitioner
•    E = Expert

Professional Skills  –   Level of Proficiency

Understanding of International Accounting Standards   –  W
Understanding of Government Accounts   – W
Understanding of Budget Guidance  –  W
Interrogation of technical systems –   W
Data Visualisation –   P
Data Analysis  –  P

Qualifications 

Recommended:

•    Level 4 qualification with AAT, CCAB or CIMA
•    Qualified with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent
•    Working towards qualification
•    Financial experience over an extended period.

Travel

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). 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.

You are advised to access the JCC/JSO office map, which is updated whenever a new JCC/JSO site opens,  to determine potential travelling times and distances to MoJ locations before applying for a job.

Application Process

To apply please complete the online application form. Applications will be sifted by a panel who will look at the Civil Service Behaviour framework and what is evidenced in your application. Should many applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. 

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses.  

Candidates who are successful following the sift process will be invited to interview, where the behavioural elements and strengths will be tested further alongside other elements of the post. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.

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.
For further information please feel free to contact vijay.patel2@justice.gov.uk

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

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

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com