Senior Systems Accountant

Job summary

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading significant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost-effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services.

Innovation and progress underpin our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. Our four core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

• Striving for excellence - We always aim to deliver great results
• Empowering through respect - We insist on fair treatment for all, always
• Acting with integrity - We consistently do the right thing
• Succeeding together - We rely on each other to achieve success

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.

We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

Job description

The Finance Systems Team is responsible for improving the financial systems, reports and processes within the GPA. The team is also responsible for maintaining certain key financial data within the systems.

This central expertise supports business areas across the GPA, delivering functionality and control, and making the best use of technologies to drive continuous improvement and customer service excellence. They are an enabling function, with self-service the model for functional delivery.

The Senior Systems Accountant will play a key role in managing the day to day financial systems functions. They will also support identifying and implementing value-adding activities and automation. As the GPA has a multi-system architecture, the team will work closely with Digital colleagues to ensure the seamless integration of financial data across finance systems, and effective transmission of information through reporting tools.

The role requires the post holder to work with outsourced support service providers and provide technical guidance and day-to-day task direction to junior team members, ensuring that all resources are allocated efficiently while managing risks to GPA.

The post holder will contribute to GPA developing a culture of strong financial management.

Key Responsibilities

• Systems administration/maintenance
• Act as a finance system expert to manage and resolve day to day queries and issues occurring on the finance systems, and communicating with users
• Provide technical guidance and day-to-day task direction to junior team members
• Quality assure finance system inputs and output, monitor system integrations, and lead on resolving any problems that occur
• Build, test and maintain finance system reports
• Lead specific finance system improvements, systemising currently manual processes, and assist with finance system testing
• Lead specific finance systems and process training to colleagues across the GPA
• The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade.

Person specification

• Experience of using financial or reporting systems in a support/admin capacity.
• Highly IT literate and experienced at using multiple software tools, including Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets
• A good understanding of financial processes and terminology, preferably in a public sector environment
• Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse and interpret significant amounts of financial data
• Strong organisational skills to meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Ability to work well as part of a geographically dispersed team

Experience and Technical Skills

Essential criteria:

• Strong focus on delivering an excellent service to customers
• Working knowledge of Power BI
• Working knowledge of finance Integrations

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of using Microsoft Business Central and/or Proactis (Desirable)

Qualifications and Accreditations

Desirable criteria:

• CCAB, or equivalent, qualified or part-qualified with the ability to gain formal CCAB qualifications within a reasonable time.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Customer Perspective
• Commercial Acumen
• Property Market Knowledge
• Innovation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,450, Government Property Agency contributes £12,297 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your