Background

In April 2000, the Management Board initiated the move towards greater finance specialism in the Service through the creation of a dedicated Head of Finance post at establishments (developed by the Finance Skills Study Project and introduced by NTS 19/2001 and PSI 48/2001).

A recommendation from the Finance Skills Study Strategic Board was that in considering future Head of Finance vacancies to be filled, HQ Finance (FC&A) would continue to have a ‘management’ role in this process, sitting alongside existing responsibility for the development and management of finance and accounting resources in the Prison Service. The Finance Directorate Corporate Support Unit (CSU) provides support to FC&A in this role and in recruiting for other key designated accountant posts.

Proposals for filling vacancies in Head of Finance and other key designated finance posts will take account of the following factors:

• The need to sustain a minimum standard of competence for such posts, i.e. CCAB and equivalent qualifications;
• The need to ensure consistency and coherence across the Service through standard eligibility and selection criteria;
• The objectives and principles of the Finance Skills Study review;
• The balance in recruiting internally and externally that reflects the commitment to develop and support ‘home-grown’ expertise;
• The ability to provide development resources and opportunities both locally and nationally;
• The need to fill vacancies in a timely manner and with staff who are able to deliver the particular requirements of the business.

Establishments, Area Offices and Groups must initially notify CSU of all vacancies of key designated accountant / finance posts as they arise. CSU will provide advice and support on the recruitment process. It is expected that posts will be advertised internally in the first instance unless there are exceptional circumstances for not doing so.

Note that all posts should in the first instance always be referred to central surplus staff lists and Jobcentre Plus as appropriate, in accordance with Prison Service policy on filling vacancies.

Internal Selection:

• open to all CCAB (or overseas equivalent) qualified accountants;
• open to part qualified accountants or staff with a proven financial background;
• applicants for Head of Finance posts who are not qualified accountants will need to pass the Head of Finance Financial Skills Test assessment paper. Once appointed staff will be encouraged to work towards a full CCAB qualification. There is no time limit set for achieving qualified status.

External Recruitment:

• open only to staff holding a CCAB (or overseas equivalent) accountancy qualification;
• applicants will be required to provide evidence of proven managerial experience.

Composition of Selection/Recruitment Boards

Heads of Finance: local panel members will be augmented by the relevant Area Accountant, and a representative from HQ Finance CSU / FC&A.

Area & Directorate Accountants: board membership will be made up of the relevant Area Manager / Director, a representative from HQ Finance, and the Prison Service Senior Accountancy Professional.

Other Key Designated Accountant posts: one of the board members must be a qualified accountant; if no there are no suitable staff available to perform this role locally a representative accountant from FC&A can be appointed if required.

Further Information & Contact Points

Further information on recruiting staff into accounting posts can be obtained from John Childs or Francesco Cavaliere, Finance CSU, Room 212 Abell House, John Islip Street, London SW1P 4LH (tel. 020 7217 5936/5161).