Funding Assurance Practitioner

Job Description

An introduction to our Funding Assurance teamEducation providers can obtain funding from central government (the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), which is an executive agency of the Department for Education) to provide post-16 delivery. This includes 16 to 19 study programmes, T Levels,T Levels transition programme, traineeships, apprenticeships, adult education budget, community learning and advanced learner loans.The Funding Assurance team examine and monitor the data reported to the ESFA and identify possible errors in the funding that has been claimed by education providers for post-16 delivery. The team therefore helps to ensure that government funding is beingused as intended . As part of this team, you will therefore have an important role in helping to ensure that any improper claims for funding can be recovered by the ESFA.The role will principally involve working with the Funding Assurance Managers and other members of the close knit Funding Assurance team to help plan and deliver funding assurance reviews. The Funding Assurance team is typically supplemented by members ofthe wider Risk Consulting team during busy periods and you will therefore also feel part of this much bigger team of circa 100+ staff too. Job Purpose For the period of your training period, you will be gaining the skills required to become a member of the team who is responsible for delivering proactive, high quality and value-added assurance over compliance with ESFA rules to further education collegesand independent training providers nationally.Your role will include:

• having the opportunity to be involved in planning and liaising directly with the education provider,
• preparing working papers,
• completing fieldwork to assess an education providers performance,
• providing feedback to the education provider; and
• preparing reports of the work completed and conclusions reached.

Your role will develop as your experience grows, with the intention that you will take on increasing responsibility. You will report to one of the members of the Funding Assurance management team, who sit within our wider Risk Consulting team. During your first two years you will:

• Invest time in understanding the detailed funding rules set by the ESFA;
• Learn how to plan and perform testing of compliance with funding rules, alongside building effective relationships with the education providers you are assessing;
• Provide clear verbal feedback to the education providers you are assessing;
• Prepare draft reports for the education providers that summarise the work you have performed and your conclusions;
• Prepare your testing papers and report in line with set timescales;
• Organise the tasks and responsibilities you need to complete;
• Provide assistance on other special assignments (e.g. investigations), as and when required;
• Ensure any queries or requests from clients and the management team are dealt with promptly;
• Produce high quality work in line with the Firms policy and processes;
• Take onboard feedback and demonstrate that you have learned from this in future work; and
• Start to take ownership for a whole review towards the end of the two years.

During your third year you will:

• Perform increasingly challenging/complex reviews, executing standalone reviews with junior members of the team, under the guidance of a Manager;
• Start to co-ordinate and take a lead on a whole review;
• Be involved in delivering training and aiding more junior members of the team;
• Self-review your own-work, ensuring minimal review points are raised by managers; and
• Complete an initial quality review of the work performed by more junior team members.

In your final yearyou willbe expected to be responsible for planning reviews and delivering fieldwork, including leading on client meetings. Talented individuals will start to develop client portfolio management skills that will put themon a pathway to the Assistant Manager grade. In addition, it is expected that a third year trainee will provide on the job advice, training and supervision of junior staff. This will include acting as a point of contact for both management and clients, ensuringthat the work is completed within the stated deadlines. In time, you will also have the opportunity to play a key role in managing client relationships, developing specialist training for staff and clients, as well as completing business development activitiessuch as writing proposals, attending pitch presentations and networking events. The Person

• Developing technical expertise: An enthusiasm for developing specific expertise and knowledge in a narrow subject matter. Experience or enthusiasm for developing knowledge of specific rules and processes/procedures.
• Interpersonal skills; the ability to build client relationships with a foundation of trust and responsibility.
• Communication skills: the ability to articulate your ideas and suggestions clearly and effectively in both verbal and written forms. Building effective relationships, alongside delivering potentially difficult messages.
• Analytical skills; the ability to think critically, research and solve problems.
• Attention to detail, including a meticulous approach to checking own work, and strong time-management skills.
• Motivated by contributing to the work of a bigger team by taking accountability for the quality of own work.
• Ability to manage more than one piece of work to set deadlines.
• Commitment to self-development & learning.
• Affinity with our values; in particular, respect for individuals, diversity and integrity

Optional Training We will fund your study towards the AAT qualification, if this is something that would be of interest to you.You will receive a full study package to ensure that you successfully complete your professional qualification. This includes time off to study, attend college and complete online courses. Your professional qualification is only part of the story at Mazars;we support all of our trainees with a blended approach to training and development including classroom study, 1:1 coaching, and soft skills training.You will be supported by a mentor and an appraising manager to keep your career and aspirations on track.