Finance
Professional/ Specialist Skills Framework
Effective from April 2007
Levels of Competence – Awareness/Practitioner/Expert
A – Awareness - You should have a broad understanding of the skill area and the underpinning knowledge and be able to ask relevant
and constructive questions.
Describes someone who is dependent on others for direction or advice, is learning the skill and, when facing something new or unusual,
has to refer to procedures, manuals, other team members etc, for guidance. You may only ever need awareness of particular skills, or you
may be gaining experience in the skill.
It is important to note that attending training does not automatically mean that your proficiency level will increase. Once you have received
training, you will need to reinforce what you have learnt by using the skills.
You may stay at this level for some time; training and other development activities will help, but it is experience of applying new skills that
will develop your proficiency level. As people learn at different rates, there is no set time limit for your level to increase.
P – Practitioner - You should have detailed knowledge of the subject and have practical experience, capable of providing help and advice
to others in the area.
Describes someone who can cope with standard problems/common situations, is competent at day to day application of the skill, and is
able to present concepts, information and solutions.
At this level, you can deal with most standard problems and will need to refer to an expert only for non-standard issues and problems. You
will still be using a variety of development activities such as mentoring, coaching, shadowing, reading manuals, articles, white papers etc
and on the job training to increase your experience and proficiency level. You will probably stay at this level for some time , becoming an
experienced practitioner.
E – Expert - You would be expected to have detailed practical experience; to be able to apply the knowledge in complex and difficult
situations, to lead others in the area, to define best practice and to share your knowledge and experience.
Describes someone who can cope with unusual/non-standard problems and issues, is aware of different options and approaches to
situations, can guide or advise others in the skill and is able to look ahead and anticipate. You are not only capable but also confident in
applying the skill in ordinary and unusual situations. Others will seek you out for advice and you may be involved in coaching/mentoring
activities.
Training alone will not take you to an expert level; it is experience in the job, as well as using the skill and other development activities, that
will develop your proficiency level.
SKILL AREA 1 - PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT, MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT
Using business knowledge and experience to analyse past, current and forecast performance of the organisation, taking action
where necessary to deliver business objectives
AWARENESS
PRACTITIONER
EXPERT
1.1 Demonstrates knowledge of the
principles of Customer Supplier Agreements
(CSAs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
and Service Delivery Agreements (SDAs)
together with their links to the planning and
performance management process.
1.3 Sets and monitors relevant performance
data through local performance agreements
or CSA/SLAs/SDAs.
1.7 Defines the business objectives/business
requirements at departmental level and
directs any improvement action necessary to
meet the objectives.
1.2 Demonstrates an understanding of the
relevant performance data for the
organisation and understands how it is used
to inform business decisions.
1.4 Manages customer/supplier relationships
collaboratively across the Ministry of Justice to
plan and deliver business outputs both
in-year and through life.
1.8 Analyses data received to inform internal
and external performance reports.
1.5 Reviews, analyses and interprets
resource management performance data to
inform both local and higher level decision
making.
1.9 Develops and directs effective
performance and risk management regimes
across the Ministry of Justice.
1.6 Assists in the evaluation of options for
action to meet business objectives,
implementing and managing required
improvement or reinforcement action.
SKILL AREA 2 - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
Application of sound business knowledge, standard accounting practice, financial policy and procedures to ensure integrity of
accounts and contribute to true and fair statements.
AWARENESS
PRACTITIONER
EXPERT
2.1 Demonstrates an understanding of
Parliamentary and Treasury funding and the
different control frameworks.
2.3 Applies accounting principles and
concepts correctly.
2.8 Interprets financial policy as defined by
HM Treasury and the Accounting Standards
Board and issues Ministry of Justice specific
accounting
policy.
2.2 Demonstrates an understanding of the
purpose and format of financial statements
and the concepts underpinning them.
2.4 Undertakes accurate transaction
processing in accordance with standard
financial and accounting policy and
procedures.
2.9 Applies standard accounting practice, the
control framework, departmental financial
policy and sound business knowledge to
produce the key financial statements which
are used to compile the departmental and
Agency Accounts.
2.5 Conducts appropriate management
validations and review of audit trails.
2.6 Maintains and undertakes timely
reconciliation of financial data, including
control accounts.
2.7 Carries out timely and accurate period
end reporting and consolidation of financial
data in accordance with standard financial
policy and procedures.
SKILL AREA 3 - INVESTMENT AND OPTIONS APPRAISAL
Identification, collation and evaluation of relevant financial and non-financial data to support investment decision making and
post project evaluations.
AWARENESS
PRACTITIONER
EXPERT
3.1 Demonstrates an understanding of the
Ministry’s investment appraisal process.
3.4 Applies the departmental investment
appraisal process in constructing and
scrutinising investment appraisals.
3.8 Formulates and disseminates policy on
the conduct of investment appraisals and post
project evaluations with the aim of improving
departmental investment decisions.
3.2 Understands the need for and purpose of
business cases and post project evaluations.
3.5 Develops and articulates a clear, sound
business case to support the recommended
course of action.
3.9 Advises project teams on investment
appraisal and post project evaluation and
scrutinises submissions to ensure that
lessons learned inform the decision making
process.
3.3 Demonstrates a broad understanding of
the rules and techniques associated with
private sector contracting (Public Private
Partnership, Private Finance Initiative.)
3.6 Implements a strategy to track and
realise the benefits associated with
investment.
3.10 Advises on all appraisals that will
eventually go to Ministers or other approvals
Boards or which support submissions that do;
scrutinises all such submissions.
3.7 Conducts lessons learned and post
project evaluations, drawing sound, objective
conclusions, and shares findings effectively
across the organisation.
SKILL AREA 4 - MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
The organisation, presentation and analysis of financial and non-financial information to inform decision making about the planning and
delivery of business outputs.
AWARENESS
PRACTITIONER
EXPERT
4.1 Demonstrates an understanding of
planning, budgeting and forecasting
techniques.
4.5 Applies planning, budgeting and
forecasting techniques to produce accurate
and timely submissions for departmental
processes, identifying or exploiting
opportunities for more effective delivery of
outputs.
4.10 Manages capital expenditure budgets,
taking account of use and deterioration of the
existing asset base and implications for other
parts of the organisation.
4.2 Demonstrates an understanding of the
financial and non-financial information
needed by business managers.
4.6 Provides management information in
relation to resources, outputs and business
performance and supports business
managers in its interpretation.
Advises on the implications and potential
impact of decisions.
4.11 Provides accounting advice, analysis
and scrutiny to support business managers in
complex situations and contributes to future
business strategies.
4.3 Demonstrates an understanding of
departmental policy on charging for the use
of resources.
4.7 Supports/influences decision making by
understanding the business, its activities and
costs (through life where appropriate) by
evaluating the resource impact of alternative
courses of action.
4.12 Optimises the level and utilisation of
assets and working capital to deliver business
outputs, considering the impact of decisions
objectively over the short, medium and long
term and across organisational boundaries.
4.4 Demonstrates an understanding of cost
drivers and cost behaviour.
4.8 Supports decision making with
appropriate rate and charging guidance.
4.9 Applies appropriate costing methods,
techniques and systems to support activity,
output and capability.
SKILL AREA 5 - FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
Delivering, developing and exploiting the relevant resource management systems and processes to support the Ministry’s financial policy,
regulations, information requirement and user population.
AWARENESS
PRACTITIONER
EXPERT
5.1 Demonstrates awareness of the relevant
financial systems and processes.
5.3 Optimises the use of on- and off-line
financial management systems, processes
and applications to ensure the timely capture
of complete and accurate data.
5.5 Manages and reviews systems and
processes to ensure compliance with
departmental IT and financial policies, other
systems and user requirements.
5.2 Understands the link between the various
financial systems and processes.
5.4 Uses financial management systems,
processes and applications to extract and
deliver identified management information in
relation to resources, outputs and business
performance to support routine and ad-hoc
requirements.
5.6 Supports the users and organisation
proactively in exploiting the full potential of
central and local planning, finance and
performance management systems.
SKILL AREA 6 - GOVERNANCE
Manages activities and risk in line with good business practice and ensures compliance with Parliamentary, HM Treasury and departmental
governance policies.
AWARENESS
PRACTITIONER
EXPERT
6.1 Demonstrates an understanding of the
public sector requirements for regularity,
propriety and value for money.
6.5 Applies relevant departmental policies
regarding regularity, propriety and value for
money.
6.11 Interprets, advises, reviews and
contributes to departmental corporate
governance policy.
6.2 Demonstrates an understanding of the
departmental policy of delegated authority.
6.6 Works within the departmental policy of
delegated authority.
6.12 Provides clear advice and guidance on
management of risk in complex cases.
6.3 Understands the role of the National
Audit Office, Internal Audit and the
Audit Committee and the auditing
process.
6.7 Undertakes regular and effective financial
and requirements scrutiny and management
review.
6.13 Interprets HM Treasury guidance to
formulate, and disseminate, Ministry of Justice
specific policy on regularity and propriety.
6.4 Understands risk management
techniques.
6.8 Identifies, assesses and manages risk
appropriately.
6.9 Provides appropriate internal and
external assurance, including responses to
Parliamentary questions and Ministerial
enquiries.
6.10 Conducts auditing and assurance
processes in accordance with Ministry of
Justice policies and regulations.
SKILL AREA 7 - CASH AND TREASURY MANAGEMENT
Planning, managing and forecasting bank and control account balances and cash flow in line with Government Accounting.
AWARENESS
PRACTITIONER
EXPERT
7.1 Demonstrates an understanding of how
the Ministry of Justice is funded including its
banking structure, activities and internal cash
flows.
7.2 Accounts for transactions through bank
accounts in accordance with Government and
departmental accounting guidelines.
7.7 Provides clear advice and guidance to
staff on complex banking and cash
management matters, including departmental
VAT accounting.
7.3 Manages and reconciles Cash and Bank
control accounts.
7.8 Manages the overall forecasting of
departmental cash flow requirements within
the departmental Net Cash Requirement
Control Total and the requirements of the HM
Treasury Departmental Cash Management
Scheme.
7.4 Manages and maintains optimum
balances in cash and bank accounts to meet
business needs.
7.9 Manages the day to day relationships
with suppliers of banking services.
7.5 Plans, forecasts and manages sterling
and foreign exchange cash flows in line with
local requirements.
7.6 Applies appropriate departmental VAT
accounting processes.