Finance Manager

at  Forestry Commission

JOB SUMMARY

Forestry England is an organisation like no other. Our strong values and shared ambition to connect everyone with the nation’s forests underpin all that we do.
We are uniquely placed to confront the climate emergency, tackle and nature crisis, and support the nation’s health and wellbeing. Working for Forestry England is to be part of the solution to the challenges of our generation.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work within the Senior Leadership Team within the East District.

The post is based at our East of England district office at Santon Downham, Norfolk. although the successful candidate will be required to travel nationally for meetings or training as appropriate which may include the possibility of an overnight stay.

• Lead the Finance and Business Support Service in support of our mission and vision, providing informed financial advice and business acumen to be able to move the business interests of the district forward.
• You will be responsible for managing the districts business planning cycle, management accounts, tax queries as well as other ad hoc duties.
• Provide monthly finance reports and use your professional skills to help us to review and continuously improve our financial position.
• Lead a business support team of 10-12 staff supported by operational managers who report directly to you.
• Plan an active role int he district’s Senior Leadership Team and build collaborative and supportive relationships with operational colleagues, the national finance team and other finance managers.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in providing management accounting services, including: budgetary control; analysing finance performance and identifying income and cost drivers; analysing variances and forecasting; and identifying and supporting the delivery of organisational efficiencies and/or cost reductions.
• Experience in financial report writing including supporting commentary.
• A high level of skill in using MS Office, with particular proficiency in Excel and Word.
• Experience with financial systems.
• Managing staff and team leadership

DESIRABLE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE:

• Experience of developing investment business cases.
• Experience in managing procurement and knowledge of legislation around financial and procurement regulations.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

A recognised finance qualification with a registered accountancy body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent, fully qualified).
Significant demonstrably experience within a prior Senior Financial Management role.
A high level of skill in the use of Microsoft Excel, and competent with other Microsoft products.
IT literate, with knowledge and experience of key management accounting packages.
Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fully chartered in accountancy with a recognised IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) member body (ICEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAS, IFA). AAT is also accepted, but there must be progress towards a fully chartered membership of another body. Significant relevant experience equivalent to that level of qualification is also accepted.
  Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application. Failure to do so will mean that your application is automatically sifted out.

QUALIFICATIONS

A recognised finance qualification with a registered accountancy body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent, fully qualified)

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Lead the Finance and Business Support team to enable the district to improve financial performance; maintain and improve business systems; and provide support to functional teams. Analyse and provide strategic finance advice and other data that will assist in the decision making and added value. As part of the district Senior Management Team, work with the district Forest Management Director to provide financial assurance and delivery of key economic targets.