Finance Manager (Paybill), Judicial Office (Ref: 5307)

Ministry of Justice UK; Loughborough; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

This position is based at 5 WELLINGTON PLACE, LEEDS, LS1 4AP, CTS Royal Courts of Justice, WC2A 2LL, LOUGHBOROUGH MAGISTRATES LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 1AZ.

Job Summary

Please refer to Job Description.

Job Description

Role title: Finance Manager (Paybill)
Team/Directorate: BST Finance – Corporate Services

Overview Of The Judicial Office

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.

We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.

Overview Of The Team

The Business Support Team sits at the centre of the Judicial Office with a broad corporate portfolio that includes responsibility for the departmental budget. The team is led by the Head of Corporate Services and provides a wide range of support, advice, assurance and services for Judicial Office staff and to the Judicial Office Management Board. This includes accommodation, health & safety, people survey, staff engagement, business continuity, learning & development, people services, risk management, financial planning and budget management & forecasting. The team also works closely with specialist teams in the wider Ministry of Justice and Whitehall.

The growth of the Judicial Office has resulted in a larger and more complex budget and the Finance Team is led by a qualified finance professional.

Hybrid Working Requirement

This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).

Summary Of The Role

The main responsibility is management of the Paybill budget and this accounts for nearly 50% of the total Judicial Office funding. This budget is driven by headcount and it is important that we have the latest information to update paybill forecasts (starters & leavers). This will involve working closely with the People Services Team and the Directorates across the Judicial Office to ensure that the data is correct.

Preparing the monthly accounts on time to meet month end deadlines, variance analysis and commentary and highlighting any risks or opportunities. Monthly forecasting, uploading into Hyperion the primary budget system. Monthly Returns into the Ministry of Justice (headcount & cashflow). Other month end tasks and reporting, journals & intercompany journals, and support analysis & advice within the team working alongside a second finance manager. Provide operational support to the business on counter fraud matters. Line management of one EO.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:

1. Main responsibility is for the Judicial Office's Paybill, ensuring that the base data, FTE’s grades salaries & staff costs are correct within the main budget system SOP. Work closely with the People Services Team to ensure that we have the latest up to date information (Starter & Leavers) as this will drive the JO payroll costs.
2. Manage the budget & monthly forecasting to ensure that Hyperion is accurate.
3. Report on the monthly actuals as per month end deadlines.
4. Write meaningful commentary on the variance analysis (actual to budget) explaining differences and highlighting the risks & opportunities.
5. Work with SPOCs across the Judicial Office and People Services lead on recruitment plans to update costings.
6. Support Senior Finance Manager in ad hoc information requests & analysis.
7. Monthly financial returns into MOJ (headcount and cashflow).
8. Quarterly disclosure return & manual accrual return.
9. Assist in other month end tasks, other Directorate reports (Private Offices, CMS) Redfern Reports journals, intercompany journals.
10. Provide operational support to the business on counter fraud matters.
11. Work with team to provide support & analysis to JO DD’s.
12. Work with the Senior Finance Manager on assurance and controls. That processes are followed & transparent, and that these are reviewed and approved at the correct authority level.
13. Oversee & support Assistant Finance Manager.

Essential Knowledge, Experience And Skills

1. Breadth of finance experience in Government including month end reporting, & finance systems.
2. Good at working with other Internal teams & stakeholders.
3. Good communication skills using multiple channels.
4. Good Organisation & Planning skills, must meet deadlines.

Desirable Knowledge, Experience And Skills

1. Self-starter, and highly motivated. Able to work independently to get the job done.
2. Part qualified would be good and/or looking to study towards a relevant finance qualification.

Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles):

1. Making Effective Decisions
2. Communicating & Influencing
3. Working Together
4. Changing and Improving

Assessment process at application

CV Required Statement of suitability (500 words).

Assessment process at interview

Behaviour, Experience and Strength Questions.

Security Clearance Required:

CTC

Person specification

Please Refer To Job Description.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact:

• Name: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email: [e-mail]
• Telephone: [phone]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL ([e-mail]) in the first instance.