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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission have set up a joint tree planting programme for England to support the forestry sector, landowners and communities in the delivery of these ambitions.
Forestry England is part of the Forestry Commission and for over 100 years, we have been growing, shaping and caring for over 1,500 of our nation’s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all. As part of the Nature for Climate Fund, we will expand the nations forests by creating new woodland on leasehold sites through the Forestry England Woodland Partnership.
You will have an important role in delivering these ambitions, supporting both our Woodland Creation and Sustainable Forest Management Teams. You will be able to make your mark by shaping our future woodlands and forests. If you are ready for the challenge of contributing to these high-profile commitments, we want to hear from you!
Job description
As Management Accountant to the Woodland Creation and Sustainable Forest Management Teams you will support delivery of the Forestry England Woodland Partnership, a programme to expand the nations forests with new leasehold sites. You will also use your knowledge and experience to review and advise on our wider forest management programme, seeking opportunities for continual improvement.
You will provide regular finance reporting and help us to review and continuously improve our financial position. Reporting to the National Management Accounting Services Manager, you will take an active role in improving the organisation’s financial data and build collaborative and supportive relationships with operational colleagues, national finance team and other finance managers.
Management accounting:
- Analyse financial performance and lead on the preparation of national financial reporting of sustainable forest management activities.
- Controlling and forecasting income and expenditure – particularly the England Tree Planting Programme.
- Creating and posting journals.
Financial planning:
- Support the submission of annual business plans.
- Support sound business and financial decision making across functions, and provide financial performance analysis supporting short, medium and long-term planning.
- Supporting the investment appraisal process.
- Recommending ways of cutting costs
Reporting:
- Build collaborative and supportive relationships with budget managers, supporting them in accessing and interpreting financial data.
- Draft ad hoc reports as required.
- Providing information for Annual Report & Accounts / audits.
Data:
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Work with Operational and National Finance teams to ensure that data within the ledger presents an accurate picture of the financial position, including:
- Ensure that material accruals and other accounting adjustments are recorded on a timely basis; and
- Identify and address the causes of any material miscoding.
- Development of reporting information to meet the ongoing needs of the organisation.
Person specification
Essential
- Experience in providing management accounting services, including:
- Providing financial information to support decision making;
- Budgetary control;
- Analysing financial performance and identifying income and cost drivers;
- Analysing variances and forecasting; and
- Identifying and supporting the delivery of organisational efficiencies and/or cost reductions.
- Experience in financial report writing including supporting commentary.
- At least part qualified with a recognised IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS, ICAI), or significant relevant experience equivalent to that level of qualification.
- Experience with financial systems.
- A high level of skill in the use of Microsoft Excel, and competence with other Microsoft products.
Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.
- Experience in the following management accounting activities:
- Costing and pricing;
- Benchmarking;
- Development of business cases; and
- Evaluation of capital projects or programmes.
- Experience in working in a shared service / national team environment.
- An understanding of public sector accounting and reporting requirements, including familiarity with Managing Public Money and HM Treasury’s Financial Reporting Manual.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service pension.
- Continual Professional Development: Support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.
- 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service in addition to 10.5 public, privilege and additional holidays.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
1. A CV showing your job history and experience including your key responsibilities.
2. A Personal Statement (no longer than 500 words) explaining why you are applying for the role and how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for the job, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification and links to the key work areas.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
You will also be asked if this statement applies to you:
At least part qualified with a recognised IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (e.g. ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS, ICAI), or significant relevant experience equivalent to that level of qualification.
Should you not hold the above qualification/membership, please ensure the information included in your CV/Personal statement displays significant relevant experience equivalent to the level of qualification.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. The interview will either be held in person at our National Office, BS16 1EJ, or online via Microsoft Teams. You will be assessed on your experience and on the listed Behaviours.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Forestry Commission from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be 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 circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
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 Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team