Army - Accounts Officer

About the job

• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Building 11, Bourlon Barrack, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3AD

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation.  However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).

About the job

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence, Civil Service workforce is diverse, with many different functions and professions ranging from cyber and digital transformation, police officers, security guards, trainers, human resources, teachers, psychologists, storekeepers, and policy secretariat staff to support the British Army.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team at Headquarters Catterick Garrison Administration Office (GAO). Working within a dynamic environment, the team is responsible for delivering pay, documentation and financial accounting for the numerous units within Catterick Garrison area of responsibility.

This is a key role within the team, responsible for providing effective financial administration and secure management of Service (Charitable) Funds for the Catterick Garrison Central Bank Account, in line with policy requirements. While previous experience is desirable, full training will be provided, including the opportunity to gain a qualification in Regimental Accounting.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain the Catterick Garrison Central Bank Account (Combined Cash and Bank Account) and its component funds.
• Maintain the Paxton Plus accounting system, including General Public Funds (GPF) analysis and debtor and creditor records for all component funds.
• Act as an authorised signatory and operate commercial bank accounts and savings instruments in accordance with Managing Trustee (MT) and Garrison Administration Office (GAO) instructions.
• Receive and process cash and cheque payments, issue receipts, and ensure funds are credited to the correct service fund.
• Ensure all cash is banked regularly, stored securely and remains within insurance limits.
• Advise the Senior Fund Manager (SFM) on the investment of funds not required for normal business.
• Ensure the safe custody of financial instruments, including cheques and passbooks.
• Process authorised payments and complete all associated accounting actions.
• Reconcile all service fund bank balances monthly and provide written confirmation to Fund Managers (FM).
• Ensure subsidiary records are maintained and balanced against Paxton Plus each month.
• Manage debtors and creditors, reporting overdue items to Fund Managers (FM) and the Internal Auditor (IA).
• Complete PAYE, Employer National Insurance Contribution (ERNIC) and other required payments in accordance with Army policy.
• Prepare audit schedules, supporting documentation and service fund accounts for internal and end-of-period audits.
• Conduct daily cash checks, monthly bank reconciliations and handover/takeover account procedures, including certification requirements.
• Provide sickness and absence cover for the Financial Systems Administrator (FSA).

Person specification

Essential skills required:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• A confident, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people.
• Willingness to attend off-site training and develop skills within the Garrison Administration Department.
• Willingness to attend and successfully complete several essential courses to Practitioner or Expert level in support of the role.
• Willingness to complete the Service (Non-Public) Funds Accounts course within three months of employment, which will involve residential training and time away from home.

Desirable skills:

• Previous experience in a similar role. However, full training will be provided, including the opportunity to gain a qualification in Regimental Accounting.
• Previous experience of Service (Non-Public) Funds Accounts.
• Previous experience as a PAXTON operator.
• Previous experience as a Financial Systems Administrator (FSA).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,866, Ministry of Defence contributes

£8,072 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement . (250 words)

At sift , you will be assessed against your Personal Statement and the following:

Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift may be conducted against the Personal Statement only . The remaining evidence submitted at the application stage will be assessed only if you are successful at this initial sift.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

Further Information:

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of e