Location
Coventry, West Midlands Darlington, North East England, Manchester, Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber, City of Westminster, London (region), SW1P 3BT
Job summary
This is a rare chance to help shape the future of financial budgeting and reporting for over £40 billion of public expenditure.
The Sector Reporting division in the Department for Education is responsible for collecting financial information from over 10,000 academies and Further Education colleges. This allows the Department to fulfil important obligations in respect of public sector financial statistics and reporting, as well as providing vital information back into teams across the Department to help measure how effectively we are supporting the sectors to deliver government’s missions.
We are a team of c40 FTE, who design and run the data collections and carry out the analysis required to meet our obligations, including the Academies Sector Annual Report and Accounts. The Head of Sector Reporting and Outturn is responsible for leading a team of c15 highly skilled financial professionals who successfully consolidate the forecasts, outturn and financial position provided by academies, FE colleges and the Teachers' Pension Scheme to ensure we fulfil our budgeting and reporting obligations.
This is a unique and high-profile opportunity, leading some of the largest consolidations of financial data in the public sector and draws on skills relevant to several GFF job families. It would be ideal for someone with a strong background in financial analysis who also has the technical financial reporting skills to negotiate the complexities of the different financial frameworks in place in the sectors that impacts on how numbers are reported to the Department.
Job description
As Head of Sector Reporting and Outturn, on a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:
* The process that arrives at government financial year budgets for academies, FE colleges and the Teachers’ Pension Scheme to seek authority for this spending each year
* Calculating the subsequent outturn for each government financial year for academies, FE colleges and the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
* Calculating any provision required for sector spending through the Vote on Account process
* Providing strategic advice and analysis on financial impact, performance and risk to the Department and other stakeholders to make sure public money is well spent and that the sectors we work with are well placed to achieve government’s missions
* Producing tailored financial reporting through consolidated accounts and other reporting to inform Parliamentary and government decision making, working with the National Audit Office and HM Treasury to ensure we provide the financial information needed without introducing disproportionate burden on academies and FE colleges
* Working with DfE teams to ensure the financial reporting frameworks in place for sectors we work with are robust and aligned with central government reporting requirements where appropriate
* Working with our data collection teams to improve our collections to enhance the insight we offer stakeholders
* Building and supporting happy, engaged and inclusive teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public
You will work with the Deputy Director, the other Grade 6s in the division and with others across the Department to consider how we should adapt and improve our approach and processes. This will ensure strong foundations are in place to enable every child and young person having the opportunity to succeed.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
The successful applicant will be required to demonstrate that they:
* Have significant experience in carrying out analysis on and consolidating financial information from a large number of business units or organisations for budgeting and/or reporting purposes, with strong knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, FRS 102, Consolidated Budgeting Guidance and Supply Estimates (or confidence to develop this knowledge in role based on other relevant experience)
* Are a fully qualified chartered accountant (CCAB or CIMA)
* Have excellent interpersonal skills and can communicate complex information to others, with the capability to provide guidance and information to inform decisions at all levels of the business
* Can deliver through others effectively, juggling multiple priorities to meet tight deadlines
* Enjoys influencing and leading teams and other stakeholders through change and uncertainty
* Is passionate about improvement and innovation to enhance performance and outcomes, both internally and for the sectors we work with
Desirable Criteria:
This will be used at interview in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
* Experience of project management in improving digital services
In order to assist you in making your decision in whether to apply, we will be holding 2 drop-in sessions on Microsoft Teams, where you will be able to hear more about what we do and what it is like to work in the Department for Education. Please refer to the attached document (at the bottom of the advert) for more information on these drop-in sessions.
Qualifications
Qualified account (qualification eligible for CCAB/CIMA membership).
Memberships
Active CCAB or CIMA membership
For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.
#J-18808-Ljbffr