Core Skills Schedule for Grade 7

I can understand and can explain:

• the financial implications and structure of the business model and plan.
• the organisation’s business planning cycle, and my role within it.
• how my objectives and/or the work of my team contributes to the achievement of financial goals, for example cash targets, expenditure and revenue budgets, balance sheet projections, internal control standards, etc.
• the distinction between various types of government funding (eg capital, resource budgets) and how to bid for each.

I can provide evidence that I have:

•  influenced the development of the business plan
• accepted personal accountability for delivering relevant financial objectives
• provided leadership to my team and peers in communicating the plan with clarity and enthusiasm
• obtained the correct level and type of resources to achieve my objectives

• Familiarisation with corporate aims and objectives (long- and short-term) through business briefings or coaching from senior finance professionals.
• Familiarisation with Spending Review cycle, resource budgeting, Government funding initiatives, and Government Accounting rules.
• Objective-setting and performance management. • Presentation skills.

I can understand and can explain:

• the difference between categories of expenditure, eg resources and capital.
• some of the basic accounting principles, eg the significance of a balance sheet & operating cost statement.
• the responsibilities of key decision making authorities, including the Accounting Officer & Finance Director
• the relationship between inputs and outputs for key deliverables.

I can provide evidence that I have:

• made use of financial and planning tools to produce fully costed plans that identify significant risks & assumptions.
• produced accurate forecasts identifying opportunities for improvements and taking remedial action where appropriate.
• put in place effective arrangements to review and update my plans on a regular basis.

• Motivational abilities.
• Analytical and performance monitoring skills.
• Familiarising self with the organisation’s financial management regime and decision-making authorities (through e-learning, training course or coaching from Finance staff as appropriate).

I can understand and can explain:

• the availability of data within financial systems and how I use it in my decision-making and forecasting.
• key cost behaviours (e.g. fixed v variable) and the difference between cash and accruals, and why these are important factors in business decisions.
• the principles of investment appraisal (incl.Green Book) and what constitutes a rigorous business case.
• the process for internal decision-making within the organisation, and how I can contribute and influence.

I can provide evidence that I have:

• bid for appropriate budgets.
• managed budgets actively, maximizing the value achieved by the organisation through timely action.
• provided accurate and timely input to routine financial reporting, including updates to forecasts.
• presented or input to rigorous investment appraisals.

• Coaching in the processes used in budgeting, investment appraisal, bidding for additional funding, forecasting.
• Coaching in interpreting financial reports, including variance analysis.
• “Training for non-Financial Managers” in core financial tools and principles: P&L and balance sheet; cash v accruals accounting; cost behaviours; investment appraisal; ratios
• Assertiveness training, to facilitate a challenging approach.

I can understand and can explain:

• the “Nolan Principles” of Public Life and the code of conduct for my organisation
• concepts of Regularity and Propriety
• accountability within the organisation and of the organisation to Parliament (role of the Accounting Officer, HMT, NAO)
• internal control procedures

I can provide evidence that I have:

• considered and documented legal and financial authority for new expenditure proposals;
• managed expenditure in line with Parliamentary and internal financial authorities and delegations
• maintained and documented appropriate controls in my area of responsibility;
• contributed to statements of assurance on internal control for more senior managers

• Induction briefings, organisational handbooks; “Government Accounting”, HMT regularity and propriety guide; internal and NSG courses.

I can understand and can explain:

• what finance professionals know and do
• where finance professionals are located in my organisation and how to contact them
• what information I have to provide and when to divisional/central Finance teams

I can provide evidence that I have:

• involved finance professionals and finance team in expenditure proposals;
• provided accurate financial returns as required

• Induction briefings, organisational handbooks, Introductions to resource accounting