Job Description
6 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
* To ensure that revenue and capital accounting entries underpinning the Statement of Accounts are produced in a timely manner, are accurate and in accordance with relevant legislative requirements and professional codes of practice and guidelines.
* To produce the Statement of Accounts, Group Accounts and other related statutory returns.
* To lead on the provision of financial advice and statutory returns relating to taxation and VAT.
* To support and co-ordinate the development of capital strategy as an integral part of the medium-term financial strategy, formulating policies and practices across the nominated Council(s).
* To produce high level capital monitoring reports in accordance the timetable established by the Head of Strategy treasury and Pensions.
* To collaborate with the Finance Manager, Treasury & Pensions in developing a Treasury Strategy which reflects the Councils capital spending plans and cashflow forecasting.
* The post is focused on delivering specialist accounting services and the post holder will have a wide understanding of accounting requirements and practical knowledge.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
* Ensure that the Council’s accounts are produced in compliance with all statutory accounting requirements.
* Provision of technical accounting advice to other senior Management, Members and Finance staff.
* Making use of appropriate financial data analytics in reviewing the overall revenue and capital information that forms the basis of the statement of accounts for accuracy and appropriateness.
* To manage the key reconciliation around balance sheet accounts and ensure that any suspense accounts are cleared in a timely manner.
* To produce and submit any regular VAT and tax returns on behalf of the Council within required deadlines.
* To undertake appropriate reconciliation for the Collection Fund and produce the Collection Fund statement within the Statement of Accounts.
* To draft reports for officers on all capital planning and budgeting issues. To ensure that all relevant issues are reflected in financial plans and budgets.
* Co-ordinate the periodic asset valuation process in consultation with the property team, engineers and valuers to ensure that an asset register is maintained which is compliant with accounting requirements.
* Co-ordinating with finance business partners to maintain up to date projections for all capital spending and funding.
* Calculating the revenue impact of new capital schemes and projects.
* Input into the medium-term financial strategy and annual revenue budget regarding capital charges and the impact of financing costs.
* Preparation of final accounts complying with the accounting code of practice and statutory requirements relating to all revenue and capital accounting issues.
* Input into financial planning and investment decisions regarding the cost of capital investment.
* To develop the Capital Strategy in consultation with the Finance Manager Strategy.
* To collaborate with the Finance Manager Strategy to ensure that the procedures and systems used for the recording and monitoring of capital expenditure are fit for purpose.
* Formulate and present financing options for capital expenditure, to optimise the use of available resources.
* To calculate depreciation, impairment and other capital charges.
* Lead on the corporate grants register ensuring accurate grant records that satisfy both statutory accounting and monitoring requirements.
* Monitoring spending against specific grants and preparing grant claims as appropriate.
Skills/Experience:
* A detailed knowledge of the accounting requirements pertaining to capital and revenue expenditure and the key influences on the strategic finances of the authority.
* Accounting and budgetary experience, sound knowledge of local government finance framework, accounting principles and standards, statutory requirements and relevant codes of practice.
* Knowledge of the major issues facing local government, understanding of the national policy context, requirements and future direction for local authorities.
* Good interpersonal and communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences both horizontally and vertically, financial and non-financial, throughout the organisation.
* Sound knowledge of accounting principles and standards Experience of producing year end accounts.
* Experience of attending Member Committees and/or other corporate/board meetings.
* Experience of financial appraisals, modelling techniques, development of business cases.
* Staff management experience with the ability to lead and develop a team.
* Experience of delivering change programmes.
* Ability to work and deliver on projects in a pressurised environment as well as the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
* Ability to work effectively in a political environment and establish positive relationships with councillors, senior managers, staff, external partners and interest groups in a way that establishes confidence, credibility and trust.
* Ability to fully utilise standard Microsoft Office products.
* To deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade.
* Work in an agile way in line with a paperless and flexible work environment.
* Commitment to maintain professional and ethical standards.
Additional Information:
* Qualified CCAB Accountant or Equivalent Relevant Finance Qualification.
Requirements
• A detailed knowledge of the accounting requirements pertaining to capital and revenue expenditure and the key influences on the strategic finances of the authority. • Accounting and budgetary experience, sound knowledge of local government finance framework, accounting principles and standards, statutory requirements and relevant codes of practice. • Knowledge of the major issues facing local government, understanding of the national policy context, requirements and future direction for local authorities. • Good interpersonal and communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences both horizontally and vertically, financial and non-financial, throughout the organisation. • Sound knowledge of accounting principles and standards Experience of producing year end accounts. • Experience of attending Member Committees and/or other corporate/board meetings. • Experience of financial appraisals, modelling techniques, development of business cases. • Staff management experience with the ability to lead and develop a team. • Experience of delivering change programmes. • Ability to work and deliver on projects in a pressurised environment as well as the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. • Ability to work effectively in a political environment and establish positive relationships with councillors, senior managers, staff, external partners and interest groups in a way that establishes confidence, credibility and trust. • Ability to fully utilise standard Microsoft Office products. • To deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade. • Work in an agile way in line with a paperless and flexible work environment. • Commitment to maintain professional and ethical standards.