About the job

Job summary

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research?  Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways.  Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment.  With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage - Forest Research

The Finance Team is responsible for providing effective financial systems and support within Forest Research (FR). This incorporates strategic corporate and financial planning, management and financial accounting reporting and control, risk management, systems accounting, transaction processing and procurement advice.

Job description

Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Expenditure Manager will lead the operational delivery of the Accounts Payable / Purchase Ledger function. They will be responsible for leading and overseeing payment runs and overseeing expenses management.  They will be required to support on the development of financial controls across the finance function and provide support at month end, including preparation of accruals and postings, reconciling balance sheet accounts, and undertaking supplier statement reconciliations.  They will be expected to provide regular reporting on GRNI and creditors.

A key part of the role will be the updating and maintenance of the Fixed Asset Register, and ensuring it reconciles to the Trial Balance.    

The Expenditure manager will be responsible for a small team which will among other duties, involve leading on their training, development, and progression.

Person specification

Key work areas:

• Lead the operation delivery of the Accounts Payable / Purchase Ledger function ensuring it reconciles to the Trial Balance
• Managing stakeholder relationships to the highest of standards (external and internal) in addition to working closely with customers to ensure the business is a great partner
• Develop best in class systems and processes to drive continual improvements and transformation
• Oversee the processing and reviewing of invoices to ensure accuracy of approvals and coding.
• Ensure the accuracy of the Purchase Ledger accounting system
• Support month and year-end responsibilities, 
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as appropriate to the grade of the role as required

 

Staff Management and Development:

• Line Manage a small team who have day to day responsibility for the Accounts Payable function, processes, and procedures
• Leading, training and developing the team to support progression

Essential Criteria:

• A qualified or part-qualified accountant registered with a recognised professional body, or equivalent experience
• Substantial experience leading a successful transactional accounts function
• Experience of a high-volume operation with multiple customers
• Experience of various VAT treatments of invoices
• Line management and experience in running a small team
• Experience with Fixed Asset Register transactions and reconciliation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong planning, problem solving and analytical skills
• Experience of using finance systems and processes/competent user of Microsoft Office

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of developing, and improving finance systems and processes
• Knowledge of accounting and management principles

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,870, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £9,684 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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.

Sift will take place w/c             15.01.2024
Interviews will take place w/c  29.01.2024

If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.  However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.  

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

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.

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.

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.