Senior Finance Administrator

Job summary

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.

The Finance Team is responsible for providing effective financial systems and support within Forest Research. This incorporates strategic corporate and financial planning, management and financial accounting reporting and control, risk management, systems accounting, transaction processing, and procurement advice.

Job description

The post will report to the Finance Support Manager (Accounts Payable). The purpose of the post is to deliver a wide range of financial administration tasks in accounts payable. These include invoice and expense process and queries, general ledger journals, commercial support in new business areas, payment proposals (UK & Overseas), guiding staff to the appropriate policy whilst maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial ledgers.

Key Work Areas

• Approve expense claims in line with policy, and escalate to line manager when needed
• Commercial support in new business areas, for example, Amazon and Unite platforms
• Reconcile supplier statements and corporate accounts
• Run bi-weekly payment proposals, including overseas payments
• Generate journals for expenditure to job numbers and share monthly reports with budget holders
• Process purchase invoices, including CIS supplier deductions, complex requisition and PO matching
• Reconcile GPC accounts, preform audit checks, and file reports with supporting documentation
• Set up new suppliers and carry out compliance checks
• Support month-end and year-end financial reporting
• Help deliver training to staff on expenses, cash advance and requisitions

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Previous experience in a similar role, resolving disputes and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensuring compliance with internal and external controls
• Attention to detail with strong numerical and analytical skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Experience of using an ERP accounting system
• Competent user of MS Office, including Excel

Desirable Criteria:

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.

• Experience working with Unit4 – Business world (previously Agresso)
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with large volume of transactions

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,105, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,721 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).

Your career

• Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

• flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your wellbeing

• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your benefits

• a highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% of your salary
• an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
• With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.

Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

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 det