Accounting Technician
Permanent, Full Time
£23,344 to £25,679 Per Annum
Location: Chelmsford
Closing Date: 23rd December 2024 at 11.59pm
This role will be filled on a hybrid basis. This means you can work remotely part of the working week with an expectation to attend the office at least 2-3 days per month. Any journeys to the office would be at your own expense. More specific details about this can be discussed at the interview stage should you be invited to interview.
Interview dates: Thursday 16th and / or Friday 17th January 2025
The Role
The Corporate Services function is integral to Essex County Council's ways of working and how we support Essex citizens. Our technology team works across all services ensuring that we can provide great solutions to both the workforce and 1.4 million residents of Essex in a digital age. Our Finance team oversees all financial management aspects, and as the second largest local authority in the country, with that scale comes opportunity both professionally. We want people who are creative thinkers who want to find better value ways to deliver outcomes to Essex residents.
Corporate Services comprises a number of centralized core professional services such as Finance, Legal, and Procurement, and also oversees all Technology services for Essex, including devices, services, and security.
Our Finance team includes financial strategy, management, and accounting, and oversees transactional services ranging from debtors to financial assessment, to debt management. Our Legal services include overseeing the democratic services, insurance, and risk.
At Essex, we have a centralized Procurement team that is CIPs accredited, overseeing contract management, sourcing, and market shaping for over £1 billion spend. We provide arrangements for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) members through the Essex Pension Fund and are the lead accountable body for the delivery of economic growth with the South Essex Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).
We look for individuals who can match our passion, bring expertise and ideas, and join us in delivering outstanding professional services. Please take a look at our vacancies and explore what opportunities there are for you to join us.
To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services
The Opportunity
This role will contribute to the delivery of a high-performing, customer-focused service, delivering all aspects of financial management information to both the members of the management accounting team and budget holders, ensuring quality of information is provided to stakeholders. The role supports the efficient running of the Finance Hub and works effectively to meet customer requirements by ensuring information is delivered efficiently within agreed timeframes.
It requires the provision of high-quality advice, information, analysis, and interpretation to finance colleagues to underpin effective decision making and meet financial governance requirements across the business.
Partly qualified, this role is expected to build strong relationships with finance colleagues and relevant stakeholders across the Council.
Accountabilities
* Provide timely, accurate information and advice to budget holders to ensure they can effectively manage budgets, support the development of financial plans, and assist them in carrying out their financial duties.
* Undertake analysis of financial and performance data and provide financial advice. Develop an understanding of unit costs and drivers to assess variances robustly.
* Build a strong understanding of all financial management and reporting systems and processes, ensuring clarity on financial systems and processes to maximize efficiency and ensure proper reconciliation and control procedures are in place.
* Deliver accurate financial estimates, forecasts, and plans, ensuring all identified risks are quantified and appropriately recorded.
* Support the financial management of the Capital Programme for colleagues.
* Support the timely delivery and preparation of information for business case submissions from a financial perspective, quality assuring the information provided.
* Deliver information to support the annual accounts closure programme as requested and in accordance with the agreed timetable.
The Experience You Will Bring
* Experience of working with financial management issues and finding solutions.
* Experience of process and practice improvements within a finance setting.
* Experience of providing financial advice, challenge, and support to budget holders.
* Experience working with a range of financial systems and processes, supporting their development.
* Experience working proactively with colleagues within the Finance Hub and across the finance function.
* Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) in 5 subjects including Math and English or working towards AAT or other vocational accounting qualification.
* Ability to establish credibility with budget holders, finance colleagues, and other stakeholders.
* Ability to develop skills and knowledge within the role.
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