Financial Control Officer (SEO)

Job summary

We are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic, self-starters who will thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. The role will provide lots of opportunity for both personal and professional development in an innovative organisation at the heart of Government.

The Finance Control Team is responsible for developing strategies, policies and processes governing financial transactions; ensuring they remain fit for purpose and meet OneGov’s (part of the Cabinet Office family) needs. This central expertise supports various business areas within the Department; delivering services to an ever-changing business and making the best use of technologies to drive continuous improvement and customer service excellence.

The aim is to facilitate correct and fully evidenced Cabinet Office transactions, reporting, to facilitate correct accounting VAT treatment for Cabinet Office transactions for both; Accounts payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR).

This role requires the post holder to ensure VAT is correctly accounted for in the General Ledger and to assist with the monthly VAT Returns are complete and accurate. It requires the post holder to regularly assess financial performance against key performance indicators, review journals to ensure they are fully evidenced, ensure account code reconciliations are fully maintained, and support the Head of Financial Control. The post holder will play a key role in developing a deserved reputation for excellent customer service.

Your technical knowledge and ability to work constructively with wider Cabinet Office teams will make you a valued contributor to ensuring the financial records are correct and evidenced, driving continuous improvements to the Financial Accounts accuracy and audit process.

This post holder will need to establish and develop effective working relationships with a number of stakeholders, including the Finance Business Partners, Customers, Shared Service Centre (SSCL), Internal and External Audit.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Support the Head of Financial Control

• Supporting the Head of Financial Control as required, including assisting with Year End financial tasks in a timely and organised manner. This may include coordinating with teams involved in year-end preparation, liaising with business areas and coordinating responses.
• Carry out monthly balance sheet reconciliations. Investigate any anomalies identified and ensure that they are addressed.
• Support with NAO or GiAA audits and support the production and collation of any working papers for external and internal resolution of audit issues.
• Support staff with training to equip staff to implement efficient and effective processes, controls and governance.

VAT Support

• Review the General Ledger to ensure VAT has been accounted for correctly, before agreeing the final position and prepare correction VAT journals.
• Review the monthly VAT reconciliation prepared by the Shared Service Centre (SSCL) to ensure completeness and accuracy, taking appropriate action to resolve any queries.
• Assist with the completion of the Monthly VAT Return for submission to HMRC and any subsequent monthly payment due to HMRC.
• Assist in preparing responses to HMRC for any requests for information or audit queries.
• Respond to VAT questions from business areas and seek further advice from line management or MOJ Tax Centre of Excellence where required.
• Ensure all VAT claimed is maintained on a separate ‘Year to Date’ file and reconciled to the VAT returns submitted to HMRC. Ensure correct and consistent VAT treatment and adequate VAT records maintained.
• Maintain the Procurement Category and Cost Centre listing

Journal Assurance

• Review Cabinet Office journals to ensure they are fully supported by correct and suitable evidence.
• Provide challenge, advice and direction to journal preparers where necessary, to ensure the supporting workings are clear and evidenced for ease of audit. Be the champion for continuous improvement.
• Supporting the production of the year-end accounts for Cabinet Office, by ensuring all journal queries have been actioned in accordance with the year-end timetable.
• Assist team finance reconciliations as required, e.g. checking accruals evidence to support journals, preparing / reviewing account code reconciliations (i.e. G/L entries are supported by valid transactions).

Key Performance Indicators

• Responsible for production and review of monthly key performance indicators. This includes monthly KPIs requested for wider Government review, CO Corporate scorecard KPI submission, internally generated dashboard preparation to monitor, report to Senior Management and initiate process improvements or transaction investigations to drive improvements.

The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade but full training will be given.

Person specification

Qualifications

You must hold a professional finance qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent.) and must be evidenced in the qualifications section of your application.

Knowledge and skills criteria

• Strong technical competence over a range of financial disciplines including VAT and Balance Sheet reconciliations,
• Professional credibility through the ability to apply high-quality financial insight in the business context
• Good relationship management and influencing skills
• Well-developed communication and presentational skills
• Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities, whilst adhering to strict deadlines.
• You will have strong excel and data analysis skills combined with a clear understanding of how this should be applied for the benefit of the organisation are needed to succeed in the role.
• Problem solving ability; to identify problems, provide solutions and implement them.
• You will have an eye for detail and continuous improvement, be motivated and able to redesign processes and approaches to drive improvement.
• Play a key role to upskill colleagues on policy, processes and systems.
• You will have the ability to gain high levels of credibility with senior colleagues and stakeholders, which will influence decision-making. They will be able to analyse and communicate complex financial information in a clear and understandable way to colleagues who are both financially and non-financially literate.
• Ability to effectively work as part of a team, and to take responsibility for your own area of work.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Qualifications

You must hold a professional finance qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent.) and must be evidenced in the qualifications section of your application.
Or working towards qualification with CCAB, CIMA or equivalent and with significant financial experience.

Behaviours

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

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,292, Cabinet Office contributes £13,121 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.