Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) – School Finance Manager
Join to apply for the Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) – School Finance Manager role at ACCA Careers
Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) – School Finance Manager
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Join to apply for the Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) – School Finance Manager role at ACCA Careers
Location
Trenchard Lines Upavon, SN9 6BE
We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).
About The Job
Job summary
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. As such using data to aid understanding of our workforce is vital.
Defence Children Services (DCS) is a Defence delivery organisation, subordinated under Army Regional Command. Our Vision is that we Educate the Child – Support the Family – Defend the Nation. HQ DCS is UK based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon and has forward deployed staff all over the world. DCS is responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings; provides advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.
The Schools Interface Service (SIS) is made up of multi-disciplinary teams of functional specialists who support the provision and business of our schools and settings. The Service is led by the Assistant Head (Schools Interface Settings). These include teams who specialise in the finance and budgeting for schools and settings, the management and development of our buildings, the security and accuracy of our online presence, the development and maintenance of our computer network, the production and analysis of the data available to support education and care. We deliver the Resource Management processes that enable our schools and settings to function efficiently across the world.
The School Business Team (SBT) are located in Upavon but have a forward deployed Business Manager in Cyprus Headquarters. The School Business team is made up of school and MOD finance and resources specialists and led by the School Business Team Manager. The School Business Team are responsible for the finance and budgets of DCS schools, settings and Headquarters; procurement and asset management; fees and invoicing and for financial reporting to Regional Command.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
You will be responsible to the School Business Team Leader, providing the finance liaison between DCS Schools and Settings and Regional Command (RC). This finance role will translate DCS school and setting financial requirements into coherent and affordable In Year and ABC plans.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide financial and budgeting advice to the Schools, Settings and DCS HQ and to provide DCS context to RC.
* In Year Management forecasting and planning including monthly briefing on the performance of the budget advising on issues, the best use of available funding and savings/efficiencies.
* Producing a taut and realistic costed plan for Annual Budget Cycle (ABC) in consultation with DCS delivery pillars, in accordance with Hd DCS direction.
* Identification and management of risk and cost pressures for both In Year and ABC.
* Produce options for any shortfalls and formulate a detailed Risk Management Plan which is to be regularly reviewed.
* Producing the DCS Schools and Settings Budgets and providing support to schools and settings with these as required.
* Providing guidance and scrutinising DCS Resources business cases, ensuring they adhere to policy, affordability and value for money.
* Providing direction to the Finance Hub in HQ Army in relation to journals, interrogation of financial data, production of financial reports and input of submissions.
* Completing monthly, quarterly and annual financial returns.
* Working to ensure that processes and procedures are robust, reviewing and implementing revised ways of working as necessary.
* Costing Options for measures such as resizing or relocation, as necessary.
* Inputting to any change programmes/reviews as required.
Person specification
Essential Skills Required
* Strong finance skills and to be proactive and collaborative.
* Highly Numerate with a record of success in a financial management role with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
* Strong analytical skills, able to evaluate information and data to drive continuous improvement.
* Budget setting experience.
* Good communicator, able to communicate at all levels both with finance and school teams, verbally and written.
* Ability to prioritise and deal with complex information and to work to deadlines.
* Excellent IT skills including Excel (essential), and O365.
Desirable Skills
* Finance Skills (Foundation) Certificate, or willingness to achieve this within 3 months of taking up the post.
* Level 4 qualification with AAT or CIMA or equivalent and previous finance experience.
* Knowledge of school budgets.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Changing and Improving
* Leadership
* Delivering at Pace
* Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Changing and Improving
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.
Other Benefits For Army Civil Servants Include
* 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
* Pension contribution: 28.97%
* Personal and professional development of skills
* Alternative working patterns for many roles
* Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
* Enhanced parental and adoption leave
* 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
* Learning and Development
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 2nd September 2025
For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
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Accounting
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