Role title:

Senior Finance Manager (Assurance & Controls )

Team/Directorate:

BST Finance - Corporate Services

Overview of the Judicial Office

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.

We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.

See JO staff talk about working here: https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv

Overview of the team

Overview of Business Support Team.

The Business Support Team sits at the centre of the Judicial Office with a broad corporate portfolio that includes responsibility for the departmental budget.

The team is led by the Chief of Staff and provides a wide range of support, advice, assurance and services for Judicial Office staff and to the Judicial Office Management Board. This includes accommodation, health & safety, people survey, staff engagement, business continuity, learning & development, people services, risk management, financial planning and budget management & forecasting. The team also work closely with specialist teams in the wider Ministry of Justice and Whitehall.

The growth of the Judicial Office has resulted in a larger and more complex budget and the Finance Team is lead by a qualified finance professional.

Hybrid Working Requirement

This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).

Summary of the role

The role is responsible for building strong relationships and understanding your business area, supporting the business at an appropriate level. Communicating financial advice, challenge and support. Ensuring that financial reporting is accurately completed both within corporate reporting systems and for input of accounting entries to support decision making.

Responsibilities include

Leading/coaching a team of 2 Finance Manager and an assistant finance manager. Overseeing the production of timely & accurate reports. Improving efficiencies, & standardising directorate reporting.

Provide clear and robust strategic financial advice to JO stakeholders to ensure that the complete view of accounts is up to date. Working closely with the JO Directorates to ensure month end deadlines are met and variance analysis has relevant commentary and clear explanation of the risks, pressures or opportunities.

Promote strong working relationships both within the Finance team, corporate services, JO Directorate and MOJ.

Coordinate responses to MOJ/JOMB commissions in yearly financial planning, and three-year view, completing templates

Strong understanding of Government processes and assurance. Identifying spending controls/thresholds in MOJ financial control framework. Review spend categories which override and require HMT approval

Monthly forecasting, ensuring the latest information is captured in Hyperion the primary budget system.

Completion of Monthly Returns into MOJ

Provide advice & support to JO staff on financial controls, completion of business cases, also navigate Commercial controls

Develop And embed approach to counterfraud

Responsibilities,

Activities & Duties:

Managing a team of three, ensuring the accuracy of the management accounts, and the production of timely & accurate reports into JO Management Board and MOJ.

Coordinate month end reporting ensuring & validating commentary. Variance analysis across the FTE/Paybill and Directorates staying in the allowable 1% threshold spend.

Manage the budget & monthly forecasting to ensure that Hyperion (finance system) is relevant.

Capturing the latest Risks/Pressures and Opportunities

Regular meetings with Finance contacts within the JO Directorates to improve the quality of reporting.

Work with Finance BP & Commercial Lead on Financial Planning & Budget Allocation. Building transparency in JO Directorate costs and consolidating this into the JO Financial plan.

Coordination of responses to Commission in MOJ/ Policy templates to tight deadlines

Work with Finance BP & Commercial lead to conduct budget analysis that inform advice & assurance to the Chief Exec

Quality assurance. Ensure compliance of MOJ Financial control framework & processes thresholds & exemptions. Apply this effectively to the JO, reviewing internal processes & systems with approval spending limits to have an audit trail.

Provide advice and support to JO staff on financial controls, processes, business cases and navigating financial controls

Provide budget data for Quarterly Finance meeting with MOJ

FTE/Paybill oversee the Forecast and work closely with the People team

Review & update Finance user guide, and associated internet pages.

Support other financial areas to build capacity & understanding

Provide operational support to the business on counter fraud matters

Oversee the training and development of the JO Finance team

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Breadth of finance experience in Government incl month end reporting, & finance systems.

Have managed/lead a team

Ability to communicate effectively with other Internal teams & stakeholders, and at different levels of seniority with Finance and non-Finance people

Good Organisation & Planning skills, must meet deadlines

Good excel skills in user friendly Report

Positive energy in motivating the team and supporting their training/ development needs.

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Self-starter, and highly motivated

Able to work independently to get the job done.

Part qualified/ finalist (CIMA/CCAB/ACCA) would be good and/or looking to study towards a relevant finance qualification

Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles):

Leadership (lead)

Communicating & Influencing

Making effective Decisions

Delivering at pace

Assessment process at application

CV Required

Statement of suitability (500 words)

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on the application form

Leadership

Communicating and influencing

Assessment process at interview

Behaviour and strength Questions and technical skills

Examples of managing a team, as well as Business partnering

Finance Functional Framework. In year Financial Management.

Security clearance required:

CTC

Please note:

Central Government policy dictates that applicants for National Security Clearance must be a resident in the UK for these minimum periods:

• CTC - 3 years

• SC - 5 years

• DV - 10 years