SOUTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Department: Finance & Procurement
Post: Financial Accountant
Post No: NU124
Grade: 14
Location: FSHQ
Responsible to: Senior Accountant
Responsible for:
* Finance Technician
* Accountancy Assistant
* Finance Apprentice
Responsibility for Physical Resources: Finance, banking and payment systems
Responsibility for Financial Resources:
* Capital Budget
* Investment Plans
* Banking
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST:
To play a crucial role in maintaining the financial health and efficiency of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS), supporting both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic goals. This role is a blend of traditional capital and financial accounting, treasury, with specialised responsibilities relating to financial, banking and payment systems.
Capital Accountancy:
* Develop and maintain capital investment plans including identifying funding sources and arrange the prioritisation of projects.
* Prepare and manage the annual capital budget, to include cost forecasts, schedules and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
* Monitor the implementation of capital projects, ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints, and provide regular information to stakeholders to assist decision making.
* Monitor budget performance and provide variance analysis in the preparation of regular Board level reports.
* Support the cyclical revaluation programme and organise the annual impairment review of assets in collaboration with internal property professionals.
* Conduct option appraisals to evaluate potential asset purchases, assessing financial viability, risks, and strategic alignment to ensure informed decision making.
* Maintain asset registers, control all changes i.e. acquisition, disposal, revaluation, and depreciation, and have oversight of the asset circulation process.
Treasury Operations:
* Maintain adequate liquidity to meet financial obligations, i.e. operational and capital funding needs.
* Arrange the investment of surplus funds in accordance with the Treasury Management Strategy and Scheme of Delegations.
* Assist in managing the debt portfolio, overseeing arrangements to monitor debt and interest payments.
* Responsible for the Services’ banking arrangements, including contractual and relationship management.
Financial Accounting:
* Actively support the closure of accounts process and the preparation of the statutory statement of accounts by taking responsibility for the completion of relevant statements and disclosures contained within.
* Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards (e.g. IFRS), regulations, and CIPFA Codes of practice.
* Co-ordinate with auditors during the statutory audit and completion of the internal audit plan to ensure compliance and successful opinions.
* Responsible for dealing with HMRC on aspects of VAT and tax, overseeing accurate completion of relevant returns within deadline.
System Duties:
* Responsible for the financial accounting system, ensuring functionality and integration with internal systems, i.e. payroll, procurement, banking and finance.
* Facilitate ongoing maintenance and support for users, liaise with system providers and internal stakeholders for effective upgrade, backup and security.
* Maintain the integrity of financial data within the system to include overseeing periodic routines and the chart of accounts reflects Service reporting requirements.
* Identify and evaluate opportunities to automate financial processes, i.e. reconciliation, reporting and transaction processing.
* Ensure the security and confidentiality of financial data, particularly sensitive information relating to banking and payment transactions.
Supervisory Duties:
* Assume supervisory responsibilities for the capital control team and to resolve operational and performance issues.
* Undertake annual Personal Reviews to ensure individual competency development supports the changing demands of a modern Fire and Rescue Service.
* Mentor the Finance Apprentice, liaise with approved training providers and devise internal training plan to support successful study outcomes.
General Duties:
* Maintain and enhance internal controls over capital budgeting, treasury operations, and investment activities to safeguard funds.
* Provision of appropriate professional advice and guidance to internal stakeholders.
* To represent the Service on relevant working groups and forums.
* Develop departmental communications and provision of statistical and performance led indicators.
* To complete statistical returns as necessary.
* To develop, support and review annual departmental plans, ensuring objectives are achieved.
* Prepare management reports and information as required by the Head of Service and Senior Accountant.
STANDARD SERVICE REQUIREMENTS:
Organisational Values: In performing the above role, all employees of the Service are required to observe and promote the Service’s Core Values, always:
* Professional
* Caring
* Respectful
* Dedicated
* Trustworthy
* Dynamic
* Disciplined
* Resilient
#J-18808-Ljbffr