Army - Finance Business Partner

Ministry of Defence; Andover; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Finance Business Partner to manage a multi-million budget within the Field Army. This role offers the opportunity to provide high-quality financial advice and collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance decision-making. You will be pivotal in driving financial performance and developing credible financial plans while ensuring compliance with policies and standards. This position promotes a healthy work-life balance through flexible working practices, with an expectation of being in the office at least 60% of the time. Join a supportive environment that values professional development and offers competitive benefits.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave

Highly competitive pension scheme

Personal and professional development

Flexible working patterns

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

6 days special leave for volunteering

Qualifications

• Proven track record in financial management with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial advice and manage budgets in line with financial rules.
• Support budget holders through annual budget setting and reviews.

Skills

Financial Management

Communication Skills

Data Analysis

Stakeholder Management

Team Leadership

Education

Level 4 qualification in accounting (AAT or CCAB/CIMA)

Job description

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 ensuring 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, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week) in line with changing priorities.About the jobJob summary

The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs over 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.

We are currently recruiting an experienced finance individual to support the management of the Chief of Staff bottom level budget within the Field Army. You will be responsible for the financial support for a multi-million budget, partnering and collaborating with a range of stakeholders and reporting into budget holders. You will provide advice and robust challenge on affordability and value for money, business planning and insight on budgetary performance against the delivery of the business objectives.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Please be advised that the Army is conducting a review of its current Finance and HR Operating Models. At the time of advertisement this post is deemed to have an enduring requirement and it is not anticipated that this post will be likely to change in the immediate future, however, is in scope of ongoing reviews.

Job description

We are recruiting a Finance Business Partner who’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Provide high quality financial advice and timeline financial management data, information and analysis to key stakeholders to support decisions whilst managing budgets in line with agreed financial rules.
• Support Budget holders through the Annual budget setting process and In Year reviews/prioritisation exercises.
• Building and maintaining relationships with customer budget holders and wider stakeholders.
• Developing an understanding of the business, its stakeholders, and deliverables to support development of credible financial plans.
• Understanding the drivers behind key variations, working with the business to identify potential solutions, identify risks and opportunities.
• Driving financial performance against agreed targets, business plans and objectives working collaboratively with stakeholders within the business and from other functions.
• Providing ad-hoc analysis where the requirement is justified, working with Ad Hoc MI and Information to build suitable outputs. Presenting information to drive, challenge and support enhanced decision-making.
• Providing advice on compliance with policy, standards, accountabilities, and controls
• Continuously improve quality of service proactively identifying opportunities through engaging with the Business, prioritising changes that will add the most value.
• Exercising sound judgement and interpretative ability, and application of innovative thought to derive novel solutions.
• Seeking advice, referring upwards as required, where problems are particularly complex or have wider implications

Person specification

Essential Skills:

• Technically competent and highly numerate with a record of success in a financial management role with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent and effective communicator, able to communicate at all levels within and external to the finance function.
• Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities as well as be able to think about solutions to emerging issues or best ways to develop current ways of working
• Experience of developing collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders and teams and working with them to deliver results.
• Experience in leading a team and managing deliverables.
• Experience of analysis and interpretation of data.
• Ability to present to senior management.
• Willingness to travel to visit customers to gain greater understanding of financials and develop relationships.
• Level 4 qualification in accounting such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB)/ Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) or currently working towards such training.
• Experience working in the Finance community.

QualificationsEither a Level 4 qualification in accounting such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB)/Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) OR currently working towards such training.Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture

BenefitsAlongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 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
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• 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 maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities

Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 14th May 2025

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.