Funding Assurance - Consultant

Forvis Mazars; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Westminster is seeking a Funding Assurance Specialist to understand funding rules and assess education providers. The role involves preparing reports and providing feedback while building relationships with clients. Ideal candidates will have expertise in funding assurance and excellent analytical skills. Opportunities for professional development and training towards qualifications are provided.

Benefits

Professional qualification support

Mentorship program

Blended training approach

Qualifications

• Must understand detailed funding rules by the DfE, MCA and GLA.
• Ability to articulate ideas clearly in both verbal and written forms.
• Committee to self-development and learning.

Responsibilities

• Understand and test compliance with funding rules.
• Provide feedback to education providers.
• Prepare draft reports summarizing your work.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Time-management skills

Education

Understanding of funding assurance reviews

Knowledge of DfE, GLA and MCA funding rules

Job description

Education providers can obtain funding from central government (the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), which on the 01/04/2025 became part of the Department for Education (DfE) to provide post-16 delivery. The DfE also devolves adult education funding, now called adult skills fund to Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs), including the Greater London Authority (GLA). This includes 16 to 19 study programmes, T Levels, T Levels transition programme, apprenticeships, adult education budget, adult skills fund, community learning (now called tailored learning), advanced learner loans, skills bootcamps, 16 to 19 bursary fund and free meals in further education. The Funding Assurance team examine and monitor the data reported to the ESFA, now DfE and the GLA and MCA clients to identify possible errors in the funding that has been claimed by education providers for post-16 delivery. The team therefore helps to ensure that government funding is being used as intended. As part of this team, you will therefore have an important role in helping to ensure that any improper claims for funding can be recovered by the DfE, GLA and MCAs. The role will principally involve working with the Funding Assurance Partner, Manager and other members of the close knit Funding Assurance team of specialist staff to help plan and deliver funding assurance reviews. The Funding Assurance team is supplemented by members of the wider Public and Social Sector Risk Consulting team during busy periods and you will therefore also feel part of this much bigger team of circa 100 staff too. Role & Responsibilities The nature of the training will vary depending on your previous knowledge and experience of funding assurance and associated rules.

Role & Responsibilities

• Invest time in understanding the detailed funding rules set by the DfE, MCA and GLA;
• Learn to plan and perform testing of compliance with DfE, MCA and GLA funding rules, alongside building effective relationships with the education providers you are assessing;
• Provide clear verbal feedback to the education providers you are assessing;
• Prepare draft reports for the education providers that summarise the work you have performed and your conclusions, including any possible financial impact and clawback of funding claimed;
• Prepare your testing papers and report in line with set timescales;
• Organise the tasks and responsibilities you need to complete;
• Provide assistance on other special assignments (eg advisory work and investigations), as and when required;
• Ensure any queries or requests from clients and the management team are dealt with promptly;
• Produce high quality work in line with the Firm's policy and processes;
• Take onboard feedback and demonstrate that you have learned from this in future work;
• Start to take ownership for a whole review towards the end of the two years;
• Form effective working relationships with other funding assurance specialists and the wider Public and Social Sector Risk Consulting team.
• Knowledge of funding assurance reviews, PDSATs and ILR data (mandatory)
• Knowledge of DfE, GLA and MCA funding rules and regulatory requirements (mandatory)
• Developing technical expertise: An enthusiasm for developing specific expertise and knowledge in a narrow subject matter. Experience or enthusiasm for developing knowledge of specific rules and processes/procedures.
• Interpersonal skills; the ability to build client relationships with a foundation of trust and responsibility.
• Communication skills: the ability to articulate your ideas and suggestions clearly and effectively in both verbal and written forms. Building effective relationships, alongside delivering potentially difficult messages.
• Analytical skills; the ability to think critically, research and solve problems.
• Attention to detail, including a meticulous approach to checking own work, and strong time-management skills.
• Motivated by contributing to the work of a bigger team by taking accountability for the quality of own work.
• Ability to manage more than one piece of work to set deadlines.
• Commitment to self-development & learning.
• Affinity with our values; in particular, respect for individuals, diversity and integrity

Optional Training

Our existing specialists are being supported to pursue a range of qualifications and we are happy to discuss any existing qualifications that you are in the process of completing, or would be interested in pursuing. For example, we can fund your study towards the AAT qualification, if this is something that would be of interest to you.

You will receive a full study package to ensure that you successfully complete your professional qualification. This includes time off to study, attend college and complete online courses. Your professional qualification is only part of the story at Mazars; we support all of our trainees with a blended approach to training and development including classroom study, 1:1 coaching, and soft skills training. You will be supported by a mentor and an appraising manager to keep your career and aspirations on track.