Job summary
The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and the Cabinet in delivering the government�s manifesto commitments and objectives. The Cabinet office is both a �corporate centre� for government and a policy department in its own right that challenges, supports, leads and provides services to other Ministerial Departments. The Cabinet Office currently employs staff who are in a variety of roles across the UK.
Job description
Cabinet Office Finance is responsible for all aspects of the Cabinet Office�s finances, including business and financial planning, performance reporting, in-year financial management, financial accounting, management of Parliamentary Supply, and production of the Cabinet Office�s annual accounts. Cabinet Office Finance is within Strategy, Finance and Performance Directorate, a multidisciplinary team that brings together finance, commercial and other corporate functions under the leadership of the Cabinet Office Chief Financial Officer.
Within Finance, the Business Partner teams lead engagement with business units across the department. We need to be resourceful, exercise good judgement and have quick reflexes to make sure that senior leaders have the right financial advice at the right time to deliver important and urgent parts of the Government�s agenda.� The variety and breadth of the issues we deal with makes these fascinating and fast-paced roles.
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.
This role is central to the relationship between an individual business area and the finance function. You will use your strong technical and influencing skills and sound understanding of the business unit to provide advice, challenge and scrutiny to senior colleagues. You will ensure that budgets are well constructed, managed and monitored and support senior managers in the production of business cases and plans to deliver improved performance, reduced risk and better value for money.
Your technical knowledge and ability to work constructively with senior teams will make you a valued contributor to the decision-making process and a champion for change within your business, its external relationships and in wider government projects. This post holder will need to establish and develop effective working relationships with a number of stakeholders, including the Directors, Deputy Directors, Internal and External Audit.
The role cover the following responsibilities:
�Developing a deep knowledge of diverse business areas, their needs and priorities and providing support and advice on financial matters.�
1. Providing analysis to support decision making and using benchmarking to highlight opportunities and add value.
2. Assessing accounting implications and providing accounting advice in accordance with international financial reporting standards and central government accounting rules.
3. Building financial and commercial awareness of non-finance staff within the business, for example working with business units to ensure correct financial processes are understood and followed.
4. Overseeing the month end reporting process to ensure accurate submission of journals and other adjustments to maintain accuracy of the general ledger and reporting of the monthly forecast.
5. Producing ad hoc analysis to support business units through fiscal events and annual business planning rounds.
6. Working with business units to ensure evidence is available to support the National Audit Office�s interim and full year audits
7. Acting as a key liaison point between Finance and the business, building in depth understanding of different business areas and performance & delivery priorities.
The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
8. A high level of competence in budget management, planning, forecasting and risk identification combined with excellent problem solving skills.
9. Well-developed communication, presentation and relationship management skills including an ability to engage effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
10. Credibility with senior colleagues and stakeholders and the ability to influence decision-making.
11. Excellent technical accounting skills across a wide range of financial disciplines and a proven ability to apply them effectively.
Desirable Criteria
12. Strong Excel and data analysis skills combined with a clear understanding of how this should be applied for the benefit of the organisation.
13. Some knowledge of how government finance works.
Additional information:
A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.
Qualifications
Professional qualification ie CCAB, or equivalent - qualified or part qualified.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
14. Changing and Improving
15. Working Together
16. Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
17. At the interview, you will be asked technical questions to assess your accounting knowledge.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �40,850, Cabinet Office contributes �11,834 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
18. Learning and development tailored to your role.
19. An environment with flexible working options.
20. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
21. A which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of
22. A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.