Forestry Commission
Senior Finance Administrator
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The role can be based at Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH or Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY. We offer blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Job Summary
Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.
We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.
Job Description
The post will report to the Finance Support Manager (Accounts Payable). The purpose of the post is to deliver a wide range of financial administration tasks in accounts payable. These include invoice and expense process and queries, general ledger journals, commercial support in new business areas, payment proposals (UK & Overseas), guiding staff to the appropriate policy whilst maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial ledgers.
Key Work Areas
- Approve expense claims in line with policy, and escalate to line manager when needed
- Commercial support in new business areas, for example, Amazon and Unite platforms
- Reconcile supplier statements and corporate accounts
- Run bi-weekly payment proposals, including overseas payments
- Generate journals for expenditure to job numbers and share monthly reports with budget holders
- Process purchase invoices, including CIS supplier deductions, complex requisition and PO matching
- Reconcile GPC accounts, preform audit checks, and file reports with supporting documentation
- Set up new suppliers and carry out compliance checks
- Support month-end and year-end financial reporting
- Help deliver training to staff on expenses, cash advance and requisitions
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Previous experience in a similar role, resolving disputes and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Ensuring compliance with internal and external controls
- Attention to detail with strong numerical and analytical skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Experience of using an ERP accounting system
- Competent user of MS Office, including Excel
Desirable Criteria
The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.
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- Experience working with Unit4 – Business world (previously Agresso)
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment with large volume of transactions
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £30,105, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,721 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).
Your career
- Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
- Access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings
Your work/life balance
- Flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
- A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays
Your wellbeing
- A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
- We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
- Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time
Your Benefits
- A highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% of your salary
- An employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
- Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
- Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
- With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.
Any move to Forest Research 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/.
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.
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Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Please apply at Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK. You will be asked to:
- Complete a CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role
- Submit a Personal Statement – (limited to 250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria as outlined in the person specification
- Provide a 250-word statement for one Behaviour question: Delivering at Pace
We will use this information to assess your application against the essential criteria in the person specification.
Shortlist
The panel will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the Essential Criteria set out in the Person Specification. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
Sift will take place on 1st and 2nd September 2026.
Interviews are planned to take place on 14th & 15th September 2026 in person at Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH or Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY depending on the candidate's location preference.
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and Lead Behaviour. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed at the interview stage.
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
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.
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union
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