Skip to main content

This job has expired

Finance Assistant - Flexible Working Available

Employer
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Location
Southampton, Hampshire
Salary
£20,855
Closing date
30 Sep 2019

Job Details

Location

Spring Place, Southampton. SO15 1EG

About the job

Do you have good working knowledge of accounting systems? 

Have you got a proactive approach to problem solving? 

Would you say you have excellent attention to detail? 

If so, we would love to hear from you!

Job description

Here at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) we are looking for a Finance Assistant to work within the Strategy & Corporate Services Directorate. In this department no two days are the same and you will be responsible for a variety of finance tasks whilst providing support to the Finance Operations Compliance Manager and Senior Finance Business Partner. 

Through this diverse role you will ensure that all Accounts Receivable and General Ledger transactions are processed in accordance with the MCA's policies, procedures and controls. This is an exciting opportunity to learn about many aspects of the MCA business and gain an in-depth knowledge across all different levels by supporting the work of the regions and other business areas.

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of this role are: 

• Raise invoices - subfacts / gunfacts / recovery of salary 
• Ensure compliance with MCA, Shared Services Arvato (SSa) & HMRC policies and procedures 
• Accounts Receivable transactions - reallocations, matching, clearing and zero balances 
• Registry of Shipping & Seamen (RSS) income recognition 
• VAT postings and processing 
• Update records with General Ledger changes - e.g. VAT codes 
• Assist with workflow on refunds 
• Help with the monitoring and reconciliation of individual customer accounts working with the MCA regions and SSa 
• Help manage the customer standing data workflow 
• VAT procurement checks 

About you 

Experience in an accounts function and a working knowledge of an accounting system is essential for this role. We are also looking for someone who has vast experience of using Microsoft Office applications, in particular Excel and Word. 

You will be someone who is thorough with their work and has exceptional attention to detail as accuracy is a key part of this role. You will also have a proactive approach to problem solving with a passion for identifying and resolving issues. 

You would be described as a diligent person, happy to concentrate on your work and do a thorough job even when under pressure and can carry out your duties with minimum supervision. 

You will thrive managing a varied and challenging workload and can adapt to the changing priorities of the role as you will be expected to complete ad-hoc tasks when required. 

About us 

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government's maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea. 

Safer lives, Safer ships, Cleaner seas. 

Our vision is to be the best maritime safety organisation in the world. 

Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future. 

DfT has been recognised for its leadership on workplace gender equality by being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2017. 

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions.

Behaviours

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

  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

When considering your experience, please tailor your CV/Personal Statement to provide evidence of: 

•Experience in an Accounts function with working knowledge of ERP or other Accounting Systems 

•Ability to work with minimum supervision 

•Proactive approach to problem solving & issue resolution 

•Experience of using Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook 

The sift is due to take place 11/09/2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held between 24/09/19 and 01/10/2019. 

Interview location to be confirmed. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include: 

• an interview with one or more exercises 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles please click here 

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about: 
• what energises and motivates you 
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role 
• your previous experience 
• your professional skills and knowledge 

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

Further Information 

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. 

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies. 

Please see attached candidate notes for further information about our recruitment process. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Reasonable adjustment 
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 
Any move to the Department for Transport will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Mary Flynn Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission

Company

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is an executive agency of the United Kingdom working to prevent the loss of lives at sea and is responsible for implementing British and international maritime law and safety policy. It is also responsible for land based search and rescue helicopter operations from 2015.

Its responsibilities include coordinating search and rescue (SAR) on the coastline and at sea through His Majesty's Coastguard (HMCG), ensuring that ships meet international and UK safety standards, monitoring and preventing coastal water pollution and testing and issuing Merchant Navy Certificates of Competency (licences) for ships' officers and crew to STCW requirements The organisation is led by Virginia McVea, its Chief Executive, who took up post in February 2023.The MCA are chiefly responsible for the syllabus and national training standards issued by the Merchant Navy Training Board (based at the UK Chamber of Shipping).

View our Top Employer profile

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert