Overview

The Ministry of Justice sits at the heart of public service. It works to protect and advance the principles of justice that underpin our democracy. Common with other public services the department has also been at the forefront of the Governments wider efficiency agenda, supporting fiscal consolidation by driving innovation across our frontline services to improve productivity and through carefully prioritising diminishing resources.

The Ministry’s Financial Management and Control directorate brings together multiple teams from across the Ministry into consolidated teams and centres of excellence to deliver high quality financial management and reporting services for the Ministry.

The Ministry is looking to recruit a technically strong accountant to join the Financial Accounts team.

We are looking to recruit an experienced practitioner with an ability to analyse complex information, provide written and verbal advice and explanations that can be easily understood by both finance professionals and non-finance stakeholders. Experience of financial accounts production or external audit would be highly beneficial.

The Financial Accounting Leads also play a key role in developing the MoJ Financial Accounting Centre of Excellence. Alongside strengthening capacity and capability, we need to ensure that the financial accounting function is agile and able to quickly prioritise work across the organisation to meet competing demands, therefore it is expected that this position will gain a solid understanding of accounting practices across the whole of the Ministry and is able to take on specific tasks/prepare advice in all areas as required.

Successful candidates may be seconded to other parts of the Ministry and its Agencies.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities are as follows:

• Contributing to the production of the capital elements of the financial statements including notes to the accounts, commissioning and collating information required for the accounts

• Contributing to the production of financial accounts information for consolidation in MoJ departmental accounts

• Working with Stakeholders in SSCL, Financial Business Partnering, Management Accounts and the Valuation Office Agency to ensure timely completion of annual activities affecting fixed assets, and the maintenance of good quality audit evidence to support actions taken

• Liaising with National Audit Office during external audit of annual report and accounts ensuring a good working relationship, excellent communications and delivery of on-time and accurate financial and other information

• Providing technical accounting advice, acting as subject matter expert on the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM), Managing Public Money, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and Cabinet Office spending controls

• Deputising at Board, Executive Committees and Audit Committees as required

• Supporting the continuous improvement of business and financial control processes and helping build and develop financial capability and professionalism both inside the function and across the business

• Identifying and ensuring appropriate management of risks to delivery;

• Managing and coaching staff and ensuring that all professional training and development requirements are met

The Person

Required Experience

Essential Criteria:

• Comprehensive knowledge of IFRS and/or FReM reporting requirements for central government;

• Proven ability to meet tight deadlines within unpredictable and demanding environments whilst delivering high quality products;

• Excellent team leadership skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven record of building strong working relationships with stakeholders; and

• Experience of dealing with external auditors.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of Oracle Financials.

• Significant understanding of Public Sector Expenditure framework (Managing Public Money, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance etc)

• Experience of producing financial accounts

Required Technical skills / qualifications

CCAB qualified accountant (i.e. ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or a recognised equivalent, or part qualified and working towards qualification.

Excellent Microsoft Office skills

Personal skills and attributes

Successful candidates will:

• be strong leaders who can build highly effective teams and influential relationships;

• be innovative in how we provide and use financial accounts and information;

• be a credible and authentic leader, with the ability to, engage and motivate people to deliver results;

• show the ability and willingness to make difficult decisions and stand by them; and,

• be able to communicate effectively to inspire your team and stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.

Application Process:

Sift

You will be required to demonstrate these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership

• Working Together

• Changing and Improving

• Managing a Quality Service

Experience

• Please submit an anonymous copy of your CV.

• Please explain in less than 500 words how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role. If applicable please outline your experience of the FReM (Financial Reporting Manual) and Managing Public Money.

Should a large number of applications be received, please note that an initial sift will take place on your statement of suitability.

Interview:

Interviews will be held by MS Teams, this will include a mix of questions to assess against behaviours, strengths and technical knowledge.

You will be assessed on the below behaviours, experience question, technical and strengths.

• Leadership

• Working Together

• Changing and Improving

• Managing a Quality Service

Experience

• Experience of FReM, Managing Public Money and accounting in the public sector

Technical

• Advanced Excel skills