Job Description

We have an opportunity for a Finance Manager to join an inclusive working environment. Our trustworthy client is looking for a support delivery high quality robust service to the whole of the Finance and departmental group. You will provide strategic oversight to key financial matters that affect delivery, through process ownership of Procure to Pay, Expenses and GPC across the group and associated compliance activity. Management of a specialist claims handling service. They are key in supporting the improvement of the financial controls across the business and driving efficiencies through self-service and automation. They ensure the provision of a quality service to the business by managing a range of complex relationships working internally and with external partners to deliver successful outcomes.

Key responsibilities will include but not be limited to: -

• Leadership of the Compliance and Claims team. Overseeing compliance activity across Expenses and Procurement Card Expenditure, as well as providing a specialist civil claims handling service to the Environment Agency.
• Leading a team who use a variety of skills and techniques, encouraging and motivating the team to deliver at pace and to a high standard.
• Act as Defra Group Process owner (policy and system) for Procure to Pay, Expenses and Procurement Card functions. Including leading the Defra Group network, representation at cross government groups and forums and with our Shared Service provider.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills to Investigate and resolve complex service issues and queries from users and stakeholders. .
• Provide expert finance advice and process guidance as process owner, to review processes, identifying, implementing and embedding improvements and work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to improve processes, championing the alignment to Global Process Design and contributing to the Finance Transformation program.
• Championing the finance service by leading improvement projects as part of the Finance Transformation programme and wider Corporate Services including payment improvements, data analytics software upgrade and collaborating with Commercial on E-Market place implementation.
• Understanding, managing and communicating between complex stakeholder groups, including Finance and other Corporate Services team’s, business areas, Shared Service provider and contracted suppliers. As well as successfully influencing front line service users.
• Keep guidance and documentation updated in line with requirements and communicate widely.
• Provide a center of knowledge and advice to wider staff, on GPC and matters
• Contract owner for the Government Procurement cards program, solicitor services for claims handling, ensuring value for money and delivery of service.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to understand complex financial reporting issues, and interpret both international accounting standards and adaptions to accounting standards relevant to a government department;
• Experience of accounting for property, plant and equipment under IAS 16 and for intangibles under IAS 38 for assets that been constructed or generated in-house
• Experience of making judgments relating to directly attributable costs that can be capitalized or the recognition criteria of intangible assets and documentation of rationale for such judgments
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders;
• Clear communication, influencing and negotiation skills
• Ability to constructively challenge information that has been presented in order to determine whether the appropriate accounting treatment has been applied
• Ability to translate financial terms and requirements of accounting standards to non-financial individuals and report technical findings and resulting impacts to senior audiences
• Analytical skills to assess detailed financial transactions and identify potential issues as well identify root causes of issues
• Motivation or initiative to follow up potential issues with little direction/supervision
• Adaptable and willing to review priorities with senior management to meet the needs of the business
• Flexible approach to work across teams;
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and ability to pick up skills to use new/unfamiliar software
• Experience as an auditor is desirable
• Experience of leadership management within a diverse operational business area that can be used to build capability, such as training, mentoring, shadowing, standards;
• Experience of establishing the most efficient ways of working, harmonizing and standardizing processes across entities and optimize resource levels to deliver the service going forward. Formal qualifications are not essential for these roles, but candidates should be qualified by experience and ability to demonstrate key skills and experience.