Finance Management Development Scheme. Information for Applicants

Transcription

1 Finance Management Development Scheme Information for Applicants GFP 2011

2 Background Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children s Services and Skills. We report directly to Parliament and we are independent and impartial. We inspect and regulate services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages. We are here to raise standards and improve lives. Whether it s focusing on issues of national importance through inspection, investigating complaints about care, or working to spread good practice and celebrate outstanding achievement, what drives us is the knowledge that what we do really makes a difference. Departmental Aim and Values What we are for Ofsted inspects and regulates to achieve excellence in education and skills for learners of all ages, and in the care of children and young people, thereby raising standards and improving lives. Our priorities All of Ofsted s work is designed to improve outcomes for children and learners, and to support our vision of raising standards and improving lives while providing value for money Our first priority is to achieve better outcomes and we will work to make this a reality through: better inspection and regulation better public involvement better ways of working. Better inspection and regulation Improving the way we work in order to provide sharper accountability that focuses on underperformance and drives fairness for those using services Better outcomes Driving improvement for children and learners of all ages Better public involvement Ensuring that people s views and experiences inform how and when we inspect and regulate; and empowering people with the information they need to hold services to account Better ways of working Using our resources responsibly in effective, efficient and sustainable ways that focus on the front line

3 Our values Our values guide everything we do. They apply to everyone in Ofsted and all those who work on our behalf. Putting children and learners first We act in the interests of individual children, young people and learners of all ages, whatever their background. Achieving excellence We focus on how standards can be raised and outcomes improved. We always try to do good as we go and have high expectations of ourselves, and of those who provide the services we inspect and regulate. Behaving with integrity We work without fear or favour and report on the basis of evidence. We listen and respond to what people tell us about the services we inspect and regulate, and about the way we work. Valuing people s differences We promote equal opportunities and take action to help ensure that improvement is made where it is most needed. For more information visit our website: Number and Types of Role Offered We will be offering up to 2 trainee accountant places, to start from April Placements for trainees will provide exposure to a variety of financial management areas including management accounting; financial planning; corporate reporting; contract management; financial accounting; financial systems; costing; investment appraisal and performance management;. You will undertake a series of work placements within the Finance Division, and where appropriate in the wider business, in which you ll gain a thorough introduction to working in a finance function whilst making a real contribution to our organisation.

4 Locations Posts will be based in Manchester. The training programme typically lasts for 3-4 years, during which period you may, for experience purposes be required to spend between 3-12 months in another location. It is important that this aspect is considered fully before submitting your application. All necessary expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with departmental rules and procedures. Support for Study towards Professional Qualifications We will provide you with a programme of study and work experience leading to a professional accountancy qualification. We will support training for qualification with the following Institutes: CIMA, CIPFA and ACCA Ofsted will, for the first sitting of each paper, meet the following costs: Tuition Exam fees Study materials Reasonable additional travel costs Institute joining fee Annual subscription We will also provide you with additional support through: A generous study leave entitlement, including training days, revision and the examination. Tailored job placements in different parts of the Finance Division, as well as the wider organisation where appropriate, to provide a wide range of practical experience whilst making a real contribution to our business. Appointing a qualified mentor for you for the duration of the programme. Ofsted will be making a substantial investment in the trainee. There is, therefore an expectation that, successful candidates will remain within Ofsted in a financial post, for at least 12 months, post qualification. If a trainee Finance Professional voluntarily discontinues training; leaves before qualification; or leaves Ofsted within 12 months of qualification they may be liable to reimburse Ofsted for all or part of the study costs incurred.

5 Criteria for Entry Candidates must have, or expect to obtain by 31 st August 2012, a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent). All trainees will start their career in Ofsted at the B3 grade equivalent to Civil Servant Executive Officer (EO), however applications will also be considered from existing Civil Servants working at B2 or Higher Executive Officer (HEO) level who will remain at this grade should they be successful. Internal Ofsted candidates should refer to the internal vacancy notice for details of entry requirements. Nationality Under Civil Service Rules, you can apply for any job in Ofsted as long as you are one of the following: a UK national a Commonwealth citizen (free from any restrictions to reside and take up employment in the UK) a British Protected person a national of a state in the European Economic Area (EEA) or certain non-eea family members If you are unsure on your eligibility to apply in relation to your nationality, please see the first document in the search criteria via the following link: Salary Progression and Benefits The starting salary for these posts is 20,487. Ofsted operates a single salary (spot rate) pay arrangement, which was implemented in March The entry point for the scheme is the B3 grade. Once you have qualified and gained membership of your accountancy institute, you will be eligible to apply for promotion to the B2 grade with a salary of 27,842. All promotion and pay increases will be based purely on performance, however we believe the scheme will provide a range of experience and training that positions individuals to make the most of their potential. In addition to your basic salary, accountancy allowances are also payable when specific exam stages are passed. This is not consolidated into basic pay but does reckon for pensions purposes.

6 The current allowances for CIPFA, CIMA and ACCA are as follows: CRITERIA Completion of ACCA Knowledge/CIMA Certificate/CIPFA Certificate Completion of 3 exams within ACCA Skills/CIMA Managerial/CIPFA Diploma Per Level Cumulative 1,500 1,500 1,200 2,700 Completion of remaining exams within ACCA Skills/CIMA Strategic/CIPFA Diploma 1,200 3,900 Completion of ACCA Professional/TOPCIMA/CIPFA Strategic Business 1,200 5,100 Full professional membership 1,000 6,100 Hours You will normally be expected to work a 5 day week of 36 hours excluding meal breaks. Ofsted is committed to offering flexible work patterns to enable to staff to maintain an effective work-life balance where possible. Individuals wishing to work flexibly need the agreement of their line manager who will ensure that business needs are able to be met. Annual Leave You will be entitled to a generous annual leave allowance of 32.5 days per year, plus 8 public holidays (taken at fixed times of the year). Probation To help ensure that the role is right for you, and to give you extra support and focus when you join the organisation, you will serve a probationary period of 6 months, during which time you will be closely supported.

7 Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving individuals the flexibility to choose the scheme which best meets their needs. More details about the pension scheme can be found online at: Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) Ofsted is committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in its recruitment processes and all aspects of its work. To demonstrate our commitment to disabled people we guarantee to progress any disabled person, whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post, to the next stage of the selection process. Equal Opportunities Ofsted s strong commitment to equality and diversity, and valuing people s differences is one of our four values. We need to continuously assess whether our recruitment processes are ensuring equality of opportunity and supporting our commitment to diversity. Our aim is to ensure that all employees and job applicants are treated equally, regardless of their sex, marital status, ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual or gender orientation, employment status (including grade) or trade union activities. We value a diverse workforce and are committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting the best available people. We want all employees to be treated equally, fairly and with dignity and respect, and are working to create and maintain a positive working environment which is free from abuse, offensive behaviour, harassment, bullying, prejudice, discrimination and victimization. Further information For more information about working for Ofsted and our terms and conditions, please visit our website: