Head of Agency Financial Accounts (Ref: 22132)

Job summary

This position is based Nationally

Job description

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 & 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 team leader to head the Agency Financial Accounts team, which are responsible for the preparation of the accounts for HM Courts & Tribunal Service, Legal Aid Agency, Office of the Public Guardian and Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. 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 is essential.

The Head of Financial Accounts - Agency will 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.

Role Purpose

This role will be responsible for the preparation of statutory financial accounts for four of the Ministry of Justice’s agencies, providing transparency and accountability over their performance and finances.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities are as follows:

• Leading the production of unqualified HMCTS, LAA, OPG and CICA Annual Report and Accounts, and submissions for consolidation into MoJ departmental accounts and the Departmental WGA submission
• Leading the relationship with National Audit Office during external audit of annual report and accounts
• Providing sound 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
• Attending and contributing to 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;
• Co-ordinating the response to emerging issues across the wider finance function;
• Managing and coaching staff within the Financial Accounting Centre of Excellence, and ensuring that all professional training and development requirements are met

Travel

Occasional travel may be required.

Key skills and knowledge

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

You will have:

• Comprehensive knowledge of IFRS and/or FReM reporting requirements and experience of dealing with external auditors. (assessed via CV and 250-word technical question)
• Excellent team leadership skills (assessed via Leadership behaviour)
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven record of building strong working relationships with stakeholders; and (assessed via behaviour, Communicating and Influencing)

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

Sift

Behaviours

The following Grade 6 Civil Service Behaviours are essential to this post and will be assessed via 500-word examples.

• Leadership (Lead Behaviour)
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details, including by grade:

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

Experience of financial reporting under IFRS and/or FReM requirements will be assessed based on a candidates’ CV.

Technical

Please describe your ability to make complex accounting judgements under IFRS/FReM reporting requirements and experience of dealing with external auditors.

Professional Competencies / Requirements

CCAB qualified accountant (i.e. ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or a recognised equivalent.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, leadership.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Candidates invited to Interview

Interviews will be held in person in London, at either 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ or 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 4PU.

Confirmed interview location details will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Interviews are expected towards the end of October.

During the interview, we will be assessing you on the Behaviours listed below and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework.

• Leadership (Lead Behaviour)
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Experience

You will be asked an experience question relating to financial reporting under IFRS and/or FReM requirements

Technical

You will be asked a technical question relating to accounting judgments.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Qualifications

CCAB qualified accountant (i.e. ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or a recognised equivalent.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Accounting Judgements

Benefits

Alon