About this role
On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for an Assistant Finance Officer x 3 ( Inside IR35) - Grade EO for a 12 month contract based hybrid in Corsham, Wiltshire. Office attendance is 2 days a week.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence , as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad.
The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD’s customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management .
The MOD’s aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term.
To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.
The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.
Role Profile:
The SATCOM Programme is responsible for sustaining and developing the MOD's strategic global satellite communications capability. As part of the SATCOM SK6 Delivery Team, you will play a key role in supporting financial governance, budget management , forecasting, reporting, and compliance activities that enable critical defence communications capabilities.
This is an excellent opportunity for finance professionals with strong transactional accounting experience who are looking to develop their public sector finance expertise within a high-profile defence environment.
As an Assistant Finance Officer , your main responsibilities will be to:
- Support day-to-day financial management activities including budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
- Monitor expenditure against budgets and investigate variances.
- Prepare accurate financial reports and management information.
- Assist with month-end and year-end financial activities.
- Support audit requirements by providing financial evidence and documentation.
- Maintain financial records and ensure data accuracy across finance systems.
- Assist with general ledger management , reconciliations, accruals and prepayments.
- Ensure compliance with MOD financial policies, regulations and governance requirements.
- Provide financial advice and guidance to stakeholders and budget holders.
- Support the preparation and submission of forecasts, returns and financial updates.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and efficiencies.
- Work collaboratively with finance teams, suppliers, auditors and programme stakeholders.
PLEASE NOTE: Active SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.
Essential:
- Experience in a finance, accounting or financial support role.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
- AAT qualification, part-qualified AAT, or equivalent finance experience.
- Active SC Clearance
Desirable:
- Previous experience within the public sector, government or defence environment.
- Experience using Oracle, Cognos or comparable financial systems.
- Knowledge of MOD structures and financial processes.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a Disability Confident employer, the MOD encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, the MOD welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following “this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.