17151 - Accountant (x4)

Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunals Service is an agency of the MoJ and provides the supporting administration for the judiciary across England and Wales.  It delivers services to the public directly in court and tribunal buildings, remotely via business centres and some services via the internet.

HMCTS has embarked on a reform programme to update historical practices. Our reform programme is a once in a generation opportunity for us to transform our entire business, enhancing the provision of a world-class justice system, in a manner that provides an improved user experience at reduced cost to the taxpayer. We are looking for talented people will contribute to consolidating the UK's position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all: https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/working-at-hmcts/

Some work has already taken place: https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/2017/09/28/were-delivering-reform-and-starting-to-make-a-difference/

As a manager within HMCTS the jobholder must provide clear direction and focus, visibly championing the changes which deliver greater efficiencies and to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results.

Overview:

It is an exciting opportunity to gain project and other accounting experience, working closely with senior colleagues, contributing to and gaining insights into some fascinating and high-profile areas. The role helps to support the delivery of major programmes key to the issues of importance to the department. The most significant programme is HMTCS Reform but you will also be supporting other large HMCTS projects such as Compliance and Enforcement Services or working in finance teams supporting regional operations.

Purpose:

Key responsibility is to support senior accountants across HMCTS. You will be expected to work with confidence, agility and flexibility covering areas such as Operations, HQ, HMCTS Reform Programme and other key inter-dependent change programmes ensuring you protect, drive and add value.

Your role will be to help achieve the HMCTS vision to have an efficient and effective courts and tribunals system which enables the rule of law to be upheld, and provides access to justice for all. You will ensure the significant £1bn investment made by HM Treasury allows HMCTS to provide a more accessible system which is modern and responsive, treats those who use our service with dignity and respect, and which provides better value for money for the taxpayer. As part of this you will help deliver a significant reform programme which will enable a radical estates modernisation and greater use of digital solutions.

You will provide effective, active and dynamic leadership, communicating objectives, plans and priorities with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. You will become involved in national initiatives that continue to develop the finance function. You will therefore be required to deliver accounting services and improve management information. Where appropriate you will ensure compliance with CPD requirements, and keep up to date with accounting developments and programme and project requirements.

Job Responsibilities

Planning and control

• Assist the Senior Accountants in administering centrally and regionally managed HMCTS budget delegations.
• You will help oversee the management and allocation of benefits from the Change portfolio and work in conjunction with the Medium Term Financial Planning team and the Financial Benefits managers to document budget requirements.
• This will include:Assist the Financial Assurance team in ensuring that key financial processes reflect the most efficient and effective practices for capturing, processing and reporting financial information; and
  • Tracking benefits
  • Managing intercompany recharges and bank charges;
  • Recording regular financial journals in the GL and sub-ledgers;
  • Reporting on year-to-date and full-year forecasts;
  • Providing ad-hoc financial analysis to support current Project/Programme/Departmental objectives and
  • Providing monthly management packs for budget holders;
• Support the Budget Variance (BV) and budget upload process, issue budget delegations to key stakeholders and agree any budget transfers or splits against control totals in the HMCTS budget Tracker and the external MoJ Tracker.

Analysis & Forecasting

• Perform analyses that provides the HMCTS Boards/Projects with a comprehensive understanding of forecast vs actual spending trends and support the Senior Accountants to model key trends over existing in-year forecasts, ensuring key assumptions remain valid; and
• Build and maintain robust financial models for integrating and analysing the organisation’s financial and performance data, ensuring that these models are specifically geared towards producing relevant financial information.
• Provide analysis and supporting financial instruments to ensure payroll is allocated appropriately across the HMCTS community.
• Provide value adding commentary to monthly reporting packs and the underlying analysis to support this monthly.

Fit for purpose Reporting

• Work closely with the Senior Accountants to administer the financial reporting processes for the organisation and contribute to the production of key, fit-for-purpose financial products, such as:

-       HMCTS Project/Board packs;

-       Change Board packs;

-       Finance Management committee reports;

-       Consolidated monthly reports to comply with MoJ Corporate Finance requirements; and

-       Other ad-hoc reports for inclusion in local budget management processes;

• Assist on the production of other monthly and ad-hoc financial returns (such as budget trackers, balance sheets, cash flow returns, headcount returns, capital returns, project financial packs etc) for review by management and other stakeholders; and
• Assist on managing technical project-related issues such as ensuring expenditure is correctly classified as capital or resource, the treatment of fixed assets is in line with departmental policy and that applicable VAT treatment is correct.

Additionally,

• You will engage with internal and external stakeholders to provide information that meets requirements and considers the legal obligations placed upon HMCTS and government departments. To act with integrity, honesty and impartiality in all such dealings.
• You will actively seek best practice in service delivery, develop new products to meet the needs of the changing business and to assist the business deliver solutions that represent good value for money.
• You will provide visible, approachable leadership to team(s), maintaining a continuous dialogue with staff in respect of change, performance and celebrating successes.
• You will work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Location of Post

There are several posts, some of which are based at 102 Petty France, London. There are also Finance Hubs around the HMCTS estate in England and Wales, so location can be flexible. Main hubs include Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Manchester. Travel to London and other offices may also be required to meet operational needs.

Key Civil Service Competencies

You will be required to provide evidence of the following key competencies at Level 3.

Changing and Improving

• Find ways to improve systems and structures to deliver with more streamlined resources
• Regularly review procedures or systems with teams to identify improvements and simplify processes and decision making
• Be willing to meet the challenges of difficult or complex changes, encouraging and supporting others to do the same

Value for Money

• Recommend actions to achieve value for money and efficiency
• Cultivate and encourage an awareness of cost, using clear simple examples of benefits and how to measure outcomes
• Work confidently with performance management and financial data to prepare forecasts and manage and monitor budget against agreed plans
• Follow appropriate financial procedures to monitor contracts to ensure deliverables are achieved
• Monitor the use of resources in line with organisational procedures and plans and hold team to account

Leading and communicating

• Take opportunities to regularly communicate and interact with staff, helping to clarify goals and activities and the links between these and Departmental strategy
• Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact
• Convey enthusiasm and energy about their work and encourage others to do the same

Collaborating and Partnering

• Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes
• Readily share resources to support higher priority work, showing pragmatism and support for the shared goals of the organisation
• Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the department

Specialist Skills

• Training for a qualification of an IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (e.g. ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, CIMA, ACCA or CIPFA);or an ability to evidence solid financial experience over an extended period and/or in a variety of finance roles;
• Understanding of Oracle and Hyperion financial systems and related reporting products;
• Excellent financial analysis skills and an advanced knowledge of Excel (to include key financial modelling functions);
• Understanding of cost and income issues affecting budget management preferably within tribunals or courts;
• Track record for producing reliable and accurate forecasts and other financial reports to tight and shifting deadlines;
• Ability to communicate complex financial issues to non-finance staff clearly and concise;

Flexible working options

HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices.

Job sharing and reduced hours

All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.

Closing Date: 27th March 2018 at 23:55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference.