ULF Finance Officer

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is a public sector trade union which represents Firefighters and Emergency Fire Control staff across the UK.

We are a political organisation affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).       

FBU - Union Learning Fund

ULF Finance Officer Post – Full Time (34.5 hours)

FBU Learning Centre, Based in Northumberland (Cramlington)
(2nd January 2019 to 31 March 2019)*

*New Bid year will start April 1st 2019 with potential new fixed term contract issued subject to successful funding bid

Salary package: up to £25,000 per annum

As demand and workload grows, the post of ULF Finance Officer has come available to join the FBU’s National Learning Centre Team and support FBU’s Project Manager and the team in relation to all aspects of Lifelong Learning. The Finance Officer plays an important role within the ULF team. Able to work flexibly, the jobholder will enjoy working with numbers, have an excellent eye for detail, as well as being exceptionally methodical, organized and have the determination and patience to complete tasks accurately. Supporting the team in the Learning Centre in Northumberland, this role reports to the ULF Project Manager and Learning Centre Team Leader whilst also liaising with FBU Head Office in Kingston-upon-Thames. 

The post’s term is initially up to 31 March 2019 but with Government approval for further ULF funding, may be extended until 31 March 2020, with a multi-year bid extending up to 2 or more years.

Interviews for the position will be held in December 2018 in the FBU Learning Centre, Northumberland where the role will be based.

A summary of the duties and skills required is listed below. For a full job description, please contact Sue Lafferty and/or Sean Starbuck. 

Key Accountabilities and Duties

• To be the named point of contact for the Learning Centre Team Leader (LCTL) and FBU ULF Project Manager (PM)  on all financial issues related to income and expenditure originating from Skills Funding Agency Adult Skills Budget and Apprenticeship funding streams and ULF Innovation bid
• To conduct all general administration in the co-ordination and running of the FBU ULF Bid and contracts and to include, managing communications internally and externally, both email and telephone queries, and sorting organising mail as appropriate with all organisations and personnel working with the FBU ULF
• Monitor training course expenditure against income and report accordingly as requested by the LCTL, PM and liaise with FBU Finance Department as appropriate
• Using appropriate software to prepare and input invoices for approval by the LCTL and PM
• Using the relevant coding system, ensure that all expenditure and income is identified correctly according to the relevant project stream and ensure coding is FBU ULF specific and identifiable within FBU Head Office coding and general fund
• To communicate directly with suppliers, awarding bodies, colleges and providers regarding invoices, purchase orders and payments relating to SFA delivery.
• Assist the FBU ULF Project Manager, the FBU Learning Centre Team Leader and liaise with FBU Finance Dept with reporting associated with financial performance to the LCTL and PM on a monthly basis and to the quarterly steering group.
• To assist with the purchase and recording of assets purchased through SFA funds, in line with the procurement policy
• To work with the LCTL and PM to identify financial risk and fraud
• To complete internal audit of Assessor and Tutor pay claims electronic and manual systems. 
• To work within SFA and sub-contract guidelines
• To purchase, record and distribute Learning Centre and Apprenticeship resources and materials in a timely manner and under the correct budget heading, approval for these to be made by LCTL or PM.
• Retain, secure, store and dispose of financial records, in accordance of legal requirements.
• To set up filing systems, electronic and manual, as well as ensuring proper governance in the production and maintenance of standard finance forms. 
• Generate correspondence as appropriate on own initiative or as directed, to include obtaining the relevant authorisation as necessary and undertaking distribution as required.
• Carry our relevant research, and assist the Project Manager and the Learning Centre Team Leader in the production of management reports to include producing computerised reports / providing relevant financial information as may be necessary or as requested.
• To work with the FBU Finance Department to ensure that the union adheres to governance guidelines and operates within the SFA funding contract
• Contribute to ad hoc projects and duties that the Union and the Learning Centre may be involved with in relation to Finance by undertaking these as required and liaising with appropriate personnel as necessary.
• Establish good working relationships with the team, staff, Executive Council members and Officials across the union as a whole.
• Remain committed to self-improvement by conducting self-appraisals after all relevant external meetings, and assess strengths and weaknesses and address these accordingly. Demonstrate a commitment to improvement by maintaining and developing skills in line with emerging organisational needs

Specialist Skills

• G.C.S.E level or equivalent to C grade in Maths and English
• Minimum of three years’ experience in a general accounts environment
• Commitment to ongoing study (AAT) is desirable
• Familiarity with general accountancy packages
• Microsoft Office trained in Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel to intermediate level at minimum
• Working knowledge of office databases
• Some accounting training or qualification would be desirable 

If you wish to apply or request further information please send your CV with a covering letter, outlining any previous Union Learning experience and how they meet the job description, marking it private and confidential by clicking apply.

Closing Date for Applications: 14th December 2018

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview prior to offer of the post