About the job

Job summary

https://youtu.be/rVaPVTGV3oA

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates  

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating a great place to work that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. To help us do this, we encourage applications from ethnic minorities, disabled people, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By bringing together different ideas, experiences, and perspectives, we can achieve our ambitions, together.

About the Team:

Our department is responsible for education, children’s social services, higher and further education policy, education, apprenticeships and wider skills in England. We work to ensure opportunity is equal for all, no matter your background or family circumstances.  

These are exciting times at the DfE. We’re transforming how government makes policy, products and data services to modernise our capabilities and deliver better outcomes for all.

You’ll be joining a well embedded financial reporting team, who deal with one of the largest consolidations in the UK, and one of the biggest Departments, who have consistently unqualified accounts. 

The Department’s Financial Reporting Division (FRD) is responsible for producing and publishing key Annual Reports and Accounts (ARA) for the Department and producing the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) return, which include: 

• Department for Education Group ARA and WGA
• Academy Trust ARA (also referred to as the Sector ARA) and WGA
• Education and Skills Funding Agency ARA
• Standards and Testing Agency ARA
• Teachers’ Pension Scheme ARA and WGA
• Teaching Regulation Agency ARA

The Division also provides technical accounting advice to the rest of the Department and it’s Group, it oversees the non-current asset processes for the Department, developing the consolidation and reporting process for the college sector, and estimates and supplementary estimates to HMT for TPS. 

The Division also supports the Financial Accounting and Reporting (civilservice.gov.uk) framework through the Government Finance Function. 

It is an exciting time to join the division as we are looking at our processes and looking at embracing new technologies to ensure we are focusing on the added value role of producing ARAs. 

Job description

We are looking for talented, motivated apprentices to join our division and become a finance professionals of the future. 

Day to day, your placements will provide you with the opportunity to learn about all aspects of financial reporting.  You’ll gain real experience of: 

• Financial Analysis: Conducting financial analysis to support DfE in making informed financial decisions
• Reporting: Preparing financial reports and documentation, ensuring compliance with government regulations and financial standards
• Accounting: Assisting in maintaining financial records and accounting systems, including the preparation of statements and balance sheets
• Problem Solving: Working with experienced professionals to address financial challenges and provide creative solutions
• Continuous Learning: Participating in training and development programs to enhance your financial knowledge and professional skills
• Teamwork: Collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders to support the delivery of government services and projects
• Compliance: Ensuring adherence to government financial policies and regulations, promoting transparency and accountability

Your apprenticeship will be guided by your dedicated line manager, who will support your development by regularly reviewing your progress in performance meetings, in line with our probation policy and established procedures. Your potential for continued employment is closely linked to the successful completion of your apprenticeship. This apprenticeship provides a well-structured learning experience, where you will have the opportunity to achieve professional qualifications in finance or accountancy upon successfully concluding the programme.

About the Apprenticeship:

As this role includes completion of the AAT Apprenticeship (Level 4) please check the eligibility requirements below using the apprenticeship standard: Assistant accountant / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

• You must have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date and not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time.
• Five full GCSEs at A*-C or grades 4-9 (or equivalent) to include English Language and Maths (minimum grade for Maths is B or 5)
• You must not have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.

Please do not apply if:

• You have a degree (or equivalent) in Accounting.
• You do not possess five full GCSEs at A*-C or grades 4-9 (or equivalent) to include English Language and Maths (minimum grade for Maths is B or 5)

At the enrolment stage, the individual's eligibility will be checked by the training provider.

Person specification

There’s a lot to learn and do, so you need to be ready to be proactive, work hard and participate in the many opportunities you’ll be given to showcase your skills. You don’t have to have a background in finance – we want people with the ability and enthusiasm to learn and grow throughout the apprenticeship. 

We are looking for someone with the following essential skills: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook. You will also be using SharePoint while in post.
• An eager learner: Possess a proactive and genuine enthusiasm for finance and a thirst for knowledge, actively seeking opportunities to enhance your skills.
• Strong analytical abilities and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to interact with and question stakeholders.
• A flair for customer service.
• Highly self-motivated, capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Consistently maintaining positive customer and team engagement.
• Willingness to travel when required.

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. 

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application

To apply for this role you will be asked to provide your CV and a 250 word example of how you demonstrate the three listed behaviours. We will sift on your CV and the three behaviours.

In the event that there are a large number of applications we will sift on your CV and the behaviour 'Delivering at Pace' only

Interview

Those successful at sift will be invited to interview where you will be asked questions around the behaviours listed.

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.   

DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.