Army - Finance and Administration Officer (Funds & Compliance)

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence, Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff to support the British Army.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The post will involve both Station Non-Public and Public financial activity. The role is line managed by the Deputy Resource Advisor and provides deputy support to this position. Functional responsibility for Non-Public activity sits with the Station Staff Officer (SSO), who is also the Senior Fund Manager (SFM).

You will deliver Service (Non-Public) Funds accountancy for Wattisham Flying Station in accordance with current regulations, while also supporting Public financial activity, including Low Value Purchase (LVP) and electronic procurement card (ePC) assurance.

Main Role Responsibilities:

• Service Funds Management & Compliance - Maintain designated Service (Non-Public) Funds in accordance with Service Funds Regulations, ensuring all transactions are accurate, relevant, fully documented, and auditable; manage accounts using PAXTON (or equivalent) and subsidiary records.

• Cash Handling & Financial Control - Receive, process, and account for all cash and cheque income; ensure secure custody and handling of cash and financial instruments in line with policy and insurance limits; manage safe storage of banking tools and funds.

• Payments & Income Processing - Process authorised payments to external agencies within required timescales; credit receipts to appropriate accounts; administer income generation funds, including casual use licences and related public funding streams.

• Reconciliation & Reporting - Conduct regular bank and cash reconciliations; reconcile Service Fund accounts with the central station bank account; complete month-end and year-end close processes, producing reports, liquidity statements, and audit documentation (including AFN1514).

• Stakeholder Support & Advisory - Engage with Fund Managers and stakeholders, providing clear financial advice, support, and monthly reporting outputs including Income & Expenditure documentation (ESS Mess accounts and associated records).

• Payroll & Statutory Compliance - Administer payroll for Service Fund employees, including wages, tax, National Insurance contributions, and associated statutory declarations.

• Public Funds & Administrative Support - Support Public Fund administration, including Commanding Officer’s Public Fund (COPF) and Gainshare allocations; act as deputy to the Deputy Resource Advisor and LVP Manager, providing guidance to cardholders and processing applications.

• Procurement Assurance & Monitoring - Undertake ePC Checking Officer responsibilities, completing mandatory monthly transaction checks; monitor income generation activity and financial tracking tools, ensuring compliance and reporting to the SFM.

Person specification

Essential Skills Required:

• Ability to manage detailed financial data, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Capable of managing multiple financial processes (e.g. reconciliations, payments, reporting) within strict deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills to advise and support a range of staff, presenting financial information clearly.
• Competent in using financial/accounting systems and Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel for tracking and reporting.

Desirable Qualifications & training courses, these can be gained once in role:

• Regimental Accountant Service Funds incorporating the All Arms basic Bookkeeping module (3 week residential course)
• Financial Skills – Foundation Level
• Finance competency framework - awareness level.
• LCP Manager Training
• Checking Officer (Approver)

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,866, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,072 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).

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

Please note:

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD 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/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all De