About the job

Job summary

This position is based Nationally

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Job Title/ Position  Financial Accounts Assistant

Grade EO

Number of Vacancies 1

Business Group Financial Reporting, Transactions and Governance

Directorate Financial Management, Control, Risk and Governance

Location National

Hours 37

Post Type Permanent

Role Type/ Team Finance

Ministry of Justice an Inclusive Employer

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer of choice and ensuring equity of opportunity for all. We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring in terms of their culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Overview

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is here to protect the public, reduce offending, and deliver swift access to justice. We are responsible for:

• prisons
• probation
• courts and tribunals
• a range of services to help victims of crime, children, vulnerable people, and those seeking access to justice

This role is in MoJ’s Financial Accounting and Reporting team. The team produces financial accounts for the MoJ Group and agencies, and support accounts production for arm’s length bodies: each year, we prepare and see through audit 17 sets of annual accounts.

Role Summary

Financial Accounting and Reporting EOs are expected to support the team in producing accounts by collating evidence and information, performing reconciliations and ensuring data inputs and transfers to systems are actioned. They will liaise with other colleagues to collect and analyse relevant information.

Typical Role Responsibilities

Responsibilities include a combination of the following as required:

• prepare monthly reconciliations of ledger balances and investigate and resolve variances in a timely manner, including through the preparation and posting of journals
• assist in preparing working papers and audit evidence to support the production of quarterly financial statements
• liaise regularly with the Finance Business Partnering, Management Accounting and outsourced provider (SSCL) teams to resolve issues within the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable ledgers, and payroll, and build an understanding of the operational activities behind the numbers
• work closely and flexibly with other members of the wider team to ensure challenging timescales are achieved, with a high-quality product, including providing back up to the Management Accounting team to cover peak periods or staff absences
• support areas of governance for the team as and when required

The post holder will be required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which fit with their role.

Entry Routes

May be suitable for staff with the required skills from within and outside finance.

Within Finance

This role may be suitable for individuals with the required numeracy and data analysis skills, an interest in financial reporting and who are considering joining the finance profession.

From Outside Finance

This role may be suitable for individuals with the required numeracy and data analysis skills, an interest in financial reporting and who are considering joining the finance profession.

Progression Routes

Staff in this role typically move into other EO roles in Finance or progress to Financial Accounting and Reporting HEO or wider finance HEO roles.

Behaviours Required

Success Profiles enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by helping us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

The behaviours required in this role are:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which can be found here, to complete this application: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

If we receive a large volume of applications, we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Managing a Quality Service.

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to work with stakeholders effectively to ensure delivery of outputs
• Communicate with your team to ensure deadlines are met and everyone is kept informed of successes/risk

Professional Skills

Professional Skills	Level
Numeracy	P
Data Analysis	P
Excel Skills	P
Drafting skills	W
Interrogation of technical systems	P
Basic finance skills	P

Key for Levels of Professional Skills

• A = Awareness
• W = Working
• P = Practitioner
• E = Expert

Qualifications

Recommended:

• Working towards qualification with AAT, CCAB, CIMAor equivalent

Travel

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working.  Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.You are advised to access the JCC/JSO office map, which is updated whenever a new JCC/JSO site opens,  to determine potential travelling times and distances to MoJ locations before applying for a job.

The successful candidate will be appointed to either one of the locations specified in the advert or, if nearer to their home, an alternative MoJ office location in the region which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed upon completion of pre-employment checks.

Application Process

To apply please complete the online application form. Applications will be sifted by a panel who will look at the Civil Service Behaviour framework and what is evidenced in your application. Should many applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service.

A brief CV is also required.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential role requirements within the application behaviour responses. 

Candidates who are successful following the sift process will be invited to interview, where the behavioural elements and strengths will be tested further alongside other elements of the post. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

The opportunity to join employee run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees.

For further information please feel free to contact glenda.roberts@justice.gov.uk or jack.geggus@justice.gov.uk

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,223, Ministry of Justice contributes £7,377 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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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.