72431 - Lead Management Accountant

The national salary range is £37,683 - £41,506, London salary range is £43,647 - £48,067. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
4
12 Months
National
National
NATIONAL
Please note: Some of our MoJ Office locations, such as our Liverpool Justice Collaboration Centre, require higher levels of National Security Vetting. The MoJ is working to open more Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices over time. Click here to learn more about where our currently open Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices are, to identify where you may be based and understand National Security Vetting requirements of each location.
SEO
SEO
Permanent
Full Time
Finance, Accountancy

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

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

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.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.

Expected mid-late April

29/03/2023, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 72431.

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

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.

In the event that 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.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Experience
Work History
Statement of Suitability - 250 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.