Job summary
Are you an experienced finance administrator? Are you experienced in an accounts payable Finance system, such as Sage? Do you have a keen eye for detail, excellent communication skills and an interest in the environment? If so, then we want to hear from you.
This role is based in the OEP's Chief of Staff Directorate which comprises of the Business Strategy and Planning team, the Communications team and Corporate Services teams covering functions including Finance, HR, Procurement, IT and Estates.
We are looking for a permanent Finance Officer to work FTE/ 3 days a week in our busy finance team.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) mission is to protect and restore the natural environment. Created by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold Government and public bodies to account, to make sure the environment is improved. We do this in several ways, including reporting on progress against environmental plans, goals and targets, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public, which can lead to us taking enforcement action.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, .
With a total staff of just over 70, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England and Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.
The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra which means it operates independently from Defra and is not part of the UK Civil Service. Our employees are public servants.
Job description
We are looking for a Finance who will be responsible for administration in the finance function for the OEP.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
1. Management of the Finance mailbox ensuring all queries and questions are answered accurately and dealt with in a timely manner.
2. Raising purchase orders in our finance system (Sage) ensuring this is done in accordance with OEP finance policies.
3. Invoice management including liaison with suppliers, resolving invoice payment queries, ensuring prompt payment of invoices and credit notes and preparing weekly payment runs.
4. Management of supplier statements and reconciliation, liaising with suppliers when necessary to resolve issues.
5. To manage communications with internal teams as well as external stakeholders building and maintaining good working relationships for the Finance team.
6. Gathering information required for monthly accruals and prepayments schedules in accordance with the Finance month end closing timetable
7. Assisting the Management Accountant in preparing monthly bank reconciliations and other balance sheet reconciliations on monthly basis and adhering to Finance month end closing timetable.
8. Monitoring staff expenses and ensuring they are in line with the OEP Finance policies and procedures.
9. Any other activity that the Head of Finance and Corporate Services and the Principal Finance Officer may reasonably require the post holder to carry out.
Please note the above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person specification
The successful candidate will have previous experience of accounts payable, knowledge of accounts payable processes and good attention to detail. They will be able to demonstrate the following skillsand experience:
10. AAT book-keeping qualification or other similar qualification, or proven practical experience of book-keeping.
11. Experience of using accountancy systems and Excel, including the ability to use formula.
12. Excellent attention to detail within all finance processes including, for example, checking invoices, PO numbers, dates.
13. Ability to work at pace, prioritise and organise effectively ensuring work is completed to a high standard and accuracy.
14. Adaptable and able to work flexibly across a range of activities with competing deadlines.
15. Ability to communicate well across the organisation both in writing and orally and taking a proactive approach to ensuring accurate financial reporting and resolution to queries.
16. Proven ability to take the initiative, to work independently and be delivery-focused and an effective forward-planner.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
17. Managing a Quality Service
18. Working Together
19. Delivering at Pace
20. Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
21. Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
22. Experience of using accountancy systems and Excel, including the ability to use formula.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �31,863, Office for Environmental Protection contributes �9,230 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Leave and Flexible Working�
The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.���
Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.�
The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.�
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Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme�
The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees.� Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.��
The OEP has a quarterly �In-year Bonus Scheme� where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.�
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Learning and Development�
The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.�
Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.�
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Staff Wellbeing�
Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:�
23. �Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.��
24. Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.��
25. Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.�
26. Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.�
27. Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.�
28. Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.�
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Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits�
All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.�
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