Management Accounting Officer

Are you looking make your next move on the accounting ladder? Are you looking for a new challenge in a high profile, fast paced environment? Are you newly qualified or a finalist? If the answer is yes, this could be the opportunity you have been looking for

We are looking for someone with strong technical skills to join our Management Accounting Team. Headed by the Management Accounting Team Leader, you will provide operational support and analysis to our strategic finance business partners and a broad range of directorate stakeholders, supporting them to deliver their own challenging objectives and ultimately, delivering the Mayor of London’s manifesto priorities.

About the Team

The Financial Services Team has been on a transformational change journey over the last few years, striving to deliver excellent service to support the GLA’s delivery across London. We have now embedded our Finance Business Partner model and are working on a continuous improvement programme to ensure our customers across the GLA receive even better services from us. There is still a lot to do, but we are confident in our ambition to continue to deliver improvement across the GLA’s finance landscape.

The Financial Services team is split into three sub-teams: Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Finance Business Partnering. All three provide essential support to each other, and we also work closely with our colleagues in the Group Finance & Performance team and the Treasury team.

This position sits in the Management Accounting Team. Whilst strong technical skills are important, we are also looking for someone with an innovative and proactive approach, who can bring fresh ideas and can also build great relationships, both within the team and in the wider business.

Principal accountabilities

Producing and maintaining accurate financial records for a specified section of the budget enabling the team to become a centre of excellence

Prepare due diligence reports for Management Accounting Team Leader review and sign off, evaluating the financial standing of GLA grant and contract partners

Prepare monthly financial forecasts based on analysis, constructive thinking, and evaluative judgement

Ensuring that budgets and actuals are properly, accurately, and promptly recorded and reported

Undertake reconciliations of budget areas to ensure that budgets are accurate

Enable the strategic Business Partnering model through provision of operational technical support to the team.

Produce, review, and analyse financial information to support directorate decision-making

Responsible for a cross-cutting activity which enhances financial information available to the whole team

Provide advice to directorate colleagues about proper accounting process and financial regulations

Maintaining forecast models to support monthly and quarterly financial reporting

Posting accruals, prepayments and journal transfers as directed

Person specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

Accounting Technician qualification

(AAT or equivalent) and up to date with CPD. Postholders will be encouraged to study for a CCAB level qualification

Experience of applying accounting good practice to resolve problems and improve systems and processes

Good working knowledge of budget recording and reporting through an ERP system such as SAP or Oracle

Experience of suggesting and implementing improvements to finance systems and processes

Experience of presenting financial information (orally and in writing) clearly and concisely

Excel - intermediate

Behavioural competencies

Building and managing relationships

... is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

Develops new professional relationships.

Understands the needs of others, the constraints they face and the levers to their engagement.

Understands differences, anticipates areas of conflict, and takes action.

Fosters an environment where others feel respected.

Identifies opportunities for joint working to minimise duplication and deliver shared goals.

Communicating and influencing

... is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders.

Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication

Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively.

Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way.

Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally.

Managing and developing performance

... is setting high standards for oneself and others, guiding, motivating and developing them, to achieve high performance and meet the GLA’s objectives and statutory obligations.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

Seeks opportunities to develop professional skills and knowledge and encourages team to do so.

Ensures own and others’ workloads are realistic and achievable.

Provides staff with clear direction and objectives, ensuring they understand expectations.

Recognises achievements and provides constructive feedback and guidance.

Gives staff autonomy and confidence to perform well and to their potential.

Planning and organising

... is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables.

Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines, and milestones.

Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work.

Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard.

Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met.

Problem solving

... is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully.

Proposes options for solutions to presented problems.

Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving.

Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems.

Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

Application Process & Additional Information

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role.

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

Up to date CV

Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g. “CV - applicant name - (phone number removed)).

Applications submitted without a Personal Statement will not be considered.

London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

On this recruitment campaign, as part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

Application closing date: 1 September 2024 at 23:59

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