Financial Management Development Scheme

Transcription

1 Financial Management Development Scheme Information for Applicants GFP 2013

2 Departmental Aims and Objectives The Department for Education was formed on 12 May The Department has responsibility for education and children s services. The Permanent Secretary is Chris Wormald and our Secretary of State the Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP. The Department for Education (DfE), alongside other Government departments, has published a Business Plan covering its vision, coalition priorities, structural reform plans, departmental expenditure and information on how it is going to become more transparent. The Business Plan covers the period , and will be refreshed annually to reflect the latest priorities: 12% pdf We are committed to transforming our education system so that all children, regardless of their background, thrive and prosper. The DfE Business Plan includes the Department s six structural reform priorities which are: increase the number of high quality schools and introduce fair funding; reform the school curriculum and qualifications; reduce bureaucracy and improve accountability; train and develop the professionals who work with children; introduce new support for the early years; and improve support for children, young people and families, focusing on the most disadvantaged. Our values Our core values are found in the Civil Service Code. They are the shared values that every Civil Servant should live by. They are: Honesty being truthful and open. Integrity putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests. Impartiality acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well Governments of different political persuasions. Objectivity basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence. The behaviours, the 4Ps, bring the values to life and describe the Cabinet Secretary s vision for the Civil Service. Pace getting on with the job as quickly as possible and being fleet of foot in order to achieve most value for money in all we do doing more with less. Passion caring about what we do, like making this the best place for children to grow up. We can be enthusiastic without being political. Pride celebrating our successes, each individual one and collectively for DfE. Professionalism living the Civil Service Code and also learning new skills to keep the organisation ahead of the game. Page 1

3 Together they help us achieve the highest possible standards in everything we do and by doing that, we get closer to our aspiration to become a world class For further information: Number and Types of Role Offered 5 posts Operating in an environment of unprecedented change, the Department is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. Finance and Commercial Group has a key role to play in ensuring the success of this reforming agenda. We are looking for high calibre, determined, selfmotivated individuals with the potential to be the Finance senior managers of the future. If you join our finance training scheme, over the 3-4 year period, supported by a mentor, you will have the opportunity to become not only a qualified accountant, but an accomplished manager with the skills to progress within finance or the business. You will undertake a series of posts and work placements in which you ll gain a thorough introduction to the finance function within the Department whilst making a real contribution to our business. Our training scheme is accredited at platinum level by ACCA and CIPFA; and at basic level for CIMA and ICAEW (but working to AAT higher accreditation level) in recognition of the comprehensive support we provide to trainees. Candidates are free to choose which professional qualifications they wish to study towards. Locations Central Manchester and Westminster, London are the main locations where our finance teams are based, but other DfE locations, including Sheffield, Coventry and Nottingham would be considered, as all posts will involve some travel to other Departmental locations. Businesses The Department for Education Institutes Supported CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW, ACCA Support for Study towards Professional Qualifications A 3 to 4 year programme of study towards a professional accountancy qualification. We will meet the costs of registering you with the professional body and with the tuition provider, open learning materials, tuition fees, examination fees, exemption fees if applicable, plus the Institute s annual membership subscription each year. Provide you with a generous study leave entitlement. Page 2

4 Provide posting and tailored job placements in different parts of our organisation to provide a wide variety of experience whilst making a real contribution to our business. These will include a range of key finance experiences, such as: management and financial accounting, governance and risk. They will also include placements in the wider businesses as well as our finance, so that you gain an understanding of operational and policy issues. In some instances we may offer placements in one of our executive agencies to further enhance your understanding of the role of the finance function. Provide a qualified, trained mentor for you for the duration of the programme. Provide a buddy, to offer advice and informal support to you soon after you receive a job offer, and in your early days on the scheme. Encourage you to become active in your Institute. Many of our trainees take on roles in local or national Institute committees and groups. Qualification Criteria Minimum entry requirements External candidates must have a 2:2 honours degree (predicted or equivalent) to apply for these posts. Trainees on this programme will start their career in the DfE as an Executive Officer (EO) unless already a member of the civil service and working at a higher grade. For this reason, applications are welcome from existing Civil Servants working at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) level or below. While external candidates must meet the minimum entry requirements as stated above, applications are also welcome from those internal candidates who have already completed some professional accountancy qualifications up to but no further than the equivalent of a first accountancy allowance as shown in Table 1 overleaf. Applications from those candidates who have completed the equivalent of a second accountancy allowance or above as shown in Table 1 will not be accepted. Other Development On joining us you will receive a comprehensive induction to the Department and the training scheme, which includes meeting with a representative of the professional Institute you will be studying with You will be offered a variety of training and development to enable you to progress quickly within the organisation. Your development planning begins with the feedback report from the selection process. Working jointly with your mentor, you will also develop a tailored personal development programme. All DfE accountancy trainees in the Department are also invited to continual professional development (CPD) events, networking events and a wide range of Departmental training opportunities. Salary Progression and Benefits All FMDS trainees will start their career in the DfE as an Executive Officer (unless already a member of the civil service and higher graded). The starting salary will be pay band EO (National) 22,216 plus benefits for departmental locations nationwide and pay band EO (London) 25,587 plus benefits for London. The Executive Officer (EO) grade is the second grade in the Department s grading structure. Page 3

5 Table 1: Summary of trainee pay and progression arrangements Annex D: Accountancy Allowances (SEO, HEO(D), Admin. Trainee & EO) On achieving qualification listed you will receive the appropriate allowance or be qualified as an accountant First Training Accountancy Allowance Second Training Accountancy Allowance Qualified as an Accountant with letters (training accountancy allowance ceases). Professional Body Qualification Qualification Qualification Chartered Institute of Management Accountants completion of 3 exams from Operational Level completion of 3 exams from Managerial Level Successful completion of Strategic Level and TOPCIMA (Total 10 exams) Institution of Chartered Accountants: England and Wales or Scotland completion of exams from Knowledge Modules completion of exams from Professional Stage Completion of Advanced Stage, IPD, TWE & STE. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants completion of 4 exams from Fundamentals level. completion of Professional Essentials level. Successful completion of 2 exam options from Professional level, Professional Ethics, & practical experience. Chartered Institution of Public Finance and Accountancy completion of Certificate Award completion of Diploma Award Successful completion of Final Test of Professional Competence Rate payable from National 789 pa London 1269 pa Additional National 789 pa London 1269 pa Re-graded to Accountant grade on appointment to a Q 1 post. After qualification, individuals compete for promotion in the same way that other staff do. Q 1 Posts are roles that have a requisite need for a qualified accountant Table 2: Extract of the current pay scales (subject to review) Grade Minimum Maximum National Executive Officer 22,216 24,002 EO.CSF National Executive Officer (Accountant) 26,082 28,195 EO.ACC.CSF National HEO Accountant 33, HEO.ACC.CSF National SEO Accountant 39,106 43,192 SEO.ACC.CSF National G7 Accountant 46,032 53,755 GRADE 7.ACC.CSF National Grade Minimum Maximum London Executive Officer 25,587 27,702 EO.CSF London Executive Officer (Accountant) 30,778 32,214 EO.ACC.CSF London HEO Accountant 37,308 41,236 HEO.ACC.CSF London SEO Accountant 42,768 47,232 SEO.ACC.CSF London G7 Accountant 49,472 57,795 GRADE 7.ACC.CSF London Page 4

6 Hours Full time staff work 37 hours a week (36 hours in London). Flexible working hours are available. Pension The DfE provides a Civil Service Pension scheme which includes a choice of benefits giving the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you. Leave DfE staff are entitled to 25 days' leave per year. If you work part-time or compressed hours, your leave allowance is converted into hours and calculated on a pro-rata basis. If you are a temporary member of staff your annual leave allowance will be in proportion to the number of days you work for the Department. The DfE also operates a flexible working scheme, under which you can work additional hours, subject to business need, and then build up a bank of flexi-time that use can use to take a day off. Trainees can use this flexibility to create additional study time. Study Leave We will provide you with paid Special Leave for attendance on training courses related to each module of your course. We currently support all training providers who are recognised by the Professional Institutes, although this may change in line with the common curriculum currently being developed with the Government Finance Profession. Revision and examination leave can also be claimed within the following limits: In addition to attendance on agreed training courses, the study leave also includes days for revision and examination leave within the following limits: Up to 20 days for the entire course provided that no more than 5 days are taken in any calendar year, except where; More than 4 exams are being taken in any calendar year, under those circumstances an additional day per exam will be available; plus; Under exceptional circumstances an additional 10 days may be available at the discretion of the Head of Finance Profession. People Friendly Policies DfE values its employees and provides a range of policies that allows staff to balance work and family life. Examples of People friendly policies are: paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave and flexible working. Page 5

7 Career Development DfE places a high priority on staff development and ensures that each member of staff fulfils their potential by providing extensive training at all levels. This scheme will give you the opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and skills in a wide variety of finance disciplines. We are looking for candidates who are aiming high, who will work hard and make the most of the opportunities available, so that they may progress quickly through the organisation. We do not require repayment of training fees if you do choose to move to another employer post-qualification. The career opportunities we offer post-qualification are excellent too, and we believe that you will want to stay with us. Probation Your appointment will be subject to satisfactorily completing a 6 month probation period. Disability The DfE operates a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for disabled candidates (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) and will interview any person with a disability who meets the minimum criteria for this appointment. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please complete the relevant section in your application. Nationality As DfE is a government department, people have to meet certain legal nationality requirements to become an employee. Your application will be considered if you are one of the following: British National, National of the European Economic Area (EEA), National of the European Union (EU), Citizen of the Republic of Ireland (Eire), Commonwealth Citizen and have permission to work in the country, British Protected person. If your nationality is not included in this list, please contact the number in the advert for further information before completing this application. Please note: If you are appointed, documentary evidence will be sought to confirm your answers. Equal Opportunities DfE operate a people friendly policy and are an equal opportunities employer. We intend to make sure that there is equality of opportunity and fair treatment for all, regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positively, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs or any other grounds. Employment Enquiry Form You will need to complete an employment enquiry form if invited to the Assessment Centre, in order for certain checks to be made to ensure you are suitable to work for the Department for Education. These checks may include a Criminal Records Bureau check. Page 6

8 Data Protection CRIMINAL RECORDS: Please Note: When applying for a sensitive post within DfE, you may be subject to criminal records check. If you are appointed to a sensitive post, we will seek your authorisation to undertake the check prior to your appointment. Data Protection Act (1998) The Department for Education (DfE) collects information for purposes related to your application and potential employment. We may check information provided by you, or information about you provided by a third party, with other information held by us. We will not disclose information about you to anyone outside DfE unless the law permits us to. The information provided by you in this application and the supporting documentation will be used by the panel to consider your suitability for the panel or post. If you are successful, this information will become part of your employment record. If you are unsuccessful, some data will be used for monitoring purposes and will be destroyed after 12 months. DfE is the Data Controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act. If you want to know more about what information we have about you, or the way we use your information, you should contact the number in the advert for further information. Page 7