Finance Manager

at  Valuation Tribunal Service

JOB SUMMARY

This job offers great exposure to a range of finance related work within a small but busy finance team in the VTS Head Office. You will report to our Finance Director and on a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for managing the financial reporting and budgeting team.

Your specific responsibilities will include:

• leading, managing and developing the team to deliver the finance function and ensure compliance with internal controls and framework of authorities.
• Assisting the Finance Director in the preparation of the annual accounts and the DLUHC quarterly returns in accordance with the Financial Reporting manual (FReM) and accounting standards frameworks;
• managing the production of management accounts and financial information for internal and external stakeholders.
• providing financial analysis and business advice to senior management and non-financial stakeholders

Our ideal candidate would be someone with the ability to lead a small finance team as well as business partner with non-finance stakeholders. Knowledge of the work involved in central government financing and specifically within an NDPB would be a positive advantage. To perform successfully in the role you will need to be someone who is proactive, organised and who works well with a range of different stakeholders across different functions. You will be advising them on financial accounting, management accounting, systems development and making a contribution to range of ad-hoc finance and corporate projects.

SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS

To apply you will need to provide us with a detailed personal statement telling us how you meet the criteria for the job as detailed in our job description, person specification and this advert. You should also provide an up-to-date CV which details current salary and notice period if you are currently in work. Please also complete our Diversity Monitoring Form and in your e-mail tell us where you saw the role advertised. Send your completed CV, personal statement and Diversity Monitoring Form to recruitment@valuationtribunal.gov.uk.
These details are also online at https://www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk – please look under “Vacancies” at the bottom of the page.
The closing date for received applications is 23:55 on Sunday 21 July 2024. Interviews are likely to take place during late July/early August 2024.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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)

TYPE OF ROLE

Accountancy
Administration / Corporate Support
Finance

MAIN PURPOSE

In consultation with the Finance Director proactively engage in the management, development, and implementation of VTS internal financial accounting functions and in building, monitoring and reporting systems to ensure the efficient, effective and pragmatic delivery and operation of the VTS finance function, meeting all its statutory and compliance obligations, including the requirements of the sponsoring Department.
Assist the Finance Director in the preparation of statutory accounts and year-end financial reporting requirements.
Drive continuous improvement of the VTS accounting function and reporting.
Identify financial risks and proposing solutions that manages expectations.
Supervise and manage the financial reporting and budgeting team in accurately analysing financial information, keeping under review the VTS’s financial strength and security, reporting any adverse findings to the Finance Director and/or Chief Executive as the Accounting Officer.
Work collaboratively with budget holders to ensure appropriate guidance and support is provided that will ensure the delivery and effective management of budgets.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Proactively manage the production of monthly/quarterly management accounts as required for the Chief Executive, Executive Management Team, Board and budget holders.
Prepare and deliver accurate and timely financial information representing the VTS’s financial status and performance that enables decisions to be taken.
Prepare and deliver, for review by the Finance Director, robust VTS accounts and quarterly returns required by the sponsoring department in accordance with the Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) and Accounting Standards frameworks, whilst reflecting an agreed timetable that provides adequate time for management review in advance of submission targets.
Manage and supervise the VTS Grant-in-Aid requests and cash management returns, transparency reports, transactional and reconciliation processes required by the Finance Director, Chief Executive, Board, EMT, budget holders, and our sponsoring department to ensure a consistent and effective service that leads to good financial decision making.
Produce any ad hoc reports as required by senior management and budget holders.
Supervise the preparation of monthly accruals, prepayments and accounting entries.
Ensure that any associated budgeted impacts are clearly communicated with budget holders and any budgetary issues are recorded immediately with the Finance Director.
In consultation with the Finance Director, put in place robust and appropriate financial controls and processes, that are compliant with the Framework Agreement and statutory requirements.
Liaise and work with external and internal auditors, ensure the successful delivery of the accounting audit process and activities. Monitor and report on any audit actions arising from internal and external audit reports.
Ensure that the annual budget setting process is carried out with reference to the Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, the VTS Framework Agreement and the Finance Manual.
Manage and lead the financial reporting and budgeting team to ensure that they are appropriately motivated and trained and carry out their responsibilities to the required standards, driving up quality and providing an environment in which staff can positively contribute, influence change and develop expertise.
Carry out performance development reviews with direct reporting staff in accordance with VTS policy and to the timeframe specified, ensuring that all staff have challenging objectives in place providing the opportunities for development and training so that they can deliver high quality services. Take proactive action in line with HR policies in the event of underperformance.
Adopt a culture of continuous improvement to ensure that all policies and processes are continually reviewed for accuracy and updated accordingly dealing with non-compliance where this is found.
Building partnerships and maintaining strong relationships with senior managers and their teams, budget holders in advising and working collaboratively to deliver financial solutions.
Contribute proactively to the production of high quality and persuasive business cases as required.
To keep up to date with changes in Accounting Standards, new initiatives and central government requirements, and other changes in order to highlight risks and challenges and maintain compliance with the regulatory framework.
This is an indicative document of the duties involved but as a small organisation you may be involved in other work not specifically mentioned above. You will therefore be expected to undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required of you, commensurate with this grade and role.

Your specific responsibilities will include:

• leading, managing and developing the team to deliver the finance function and ensure compliance with internal controls and framework of authorities.
• Assisting the Finance Director in the preparation of the annual accounts and the DLUHC quarterly returns in accordance with the Financial Reporting manual (FReM) and accounting standards frameworks;
• managing the production of management accounts and financial information for internal and external stakeholders.
• providing financial analysis and business advice to senior management and non-financial stakeholder