Main purpose of the post:
Work collaboratively with managers within the respective service areas (up to and including Director level), providing technical financial advice and support using professional knowledge and skills pro-actively to identify, investigate, analyse and evaluate issues/options within an agreed financial management framework
Accountancy responsibilities:
- To work routinely with managers across the organisation, typically advising and influencing up to and including Assistant Director / Head of Service level.
- To take direct personal responsibility for the provision of financial support to discrete areas of the business, including providing specialist, technical advice and reports to senior colleagues and members to support effective decision making under s151 of Local Government Act 1972.
- To take responsibility for the delivery of effective financial systems and processes across the company including timely reconciliations, so that any necessary adjustments are designed and implemented promptly.
- To work with external financial advisers and contractors (including be part of selection and appointment processes in accordance with procurement regulation and managing the contractual relationships to ensure expected performance or compliance) as appropriate to the role.
- To liaise directly with internal/external auditors on all matters relating to the preparation and audit of defined work area(s).
- To ensure that the financial governance requirements are understood and accepted by the business and that the implications of non-compliance are made clear. As part of this, to identify, monitor and manage risks.
Generic responsibilities:
- Write and present management board and committee reports, provide specialist, technical advice to support effective decision making including drafting appropriate financial implications under s151 of Local Government Act 1972 for formal reports
- To report and monitor Business Unit performance targets as defined in the Operating Level Agreement.
- Develop and maintain specialist knowledge and understanding of financial legislation and accounting standards, and take responsibility for implementing changes arising from new or amended legislation or financial policy, ensuring that the companies processes are compliant.
- Responsible for improving financial systems and processes to capture and analyse financial information
- Contribute financial expertise to projects with significant financial impact including cross-company transformative projects such as major systems developments and business process redesign. Take a lead role in ensuring they meet all their financial and budgetary responsibilities through effective monitoring and control.
- Authority to make most day-to-day operational management decisions and to amend the work priorities of own service area in order to respond effectively to emerging issues and changing corporate priorities, referring only those with high impact or political sensitivity.
- Develop strong links with officers in other organisations locally and nationally to facilitate benchmarking, information sharing and analysis.
- Lead on work with internal/external auditors coordinating all matters relating to the preparation and audit of defined work area(s).
- Design and deliver training as appropriate to enhance knowledge and promote a culture of compliance with defined financial processes and controls.
- Represent the council’s interests at appropriate local, regional and national working groups as required.
- Actively contributes to the shaping on policy and the financial direction within the respective service area and the company as a whole through research and recommendations.
- Ensure that the financial governance requirements are understood and accepted within the respective service area and that the implications of non-compliance are made clear.
- Co-ordinate responses to queries on financial matters from Councillors, Media and other stakeholders in accordance with company procedures.
- Oversee regular satisfaction surveys to verify that the expectations of customers are being met through service delivery.
- Deputise for the Accountant Group Manager / Operations Manager
Management responsibilities
- Make most day-to-day operational management decisions and to amend the work priorities of own service area in order to respond effectively to emerging issues and changing corporate priorities, referring only those with high impact or political sensitivity.
- Manage recruitment processes (including probationary period), setting of objectives and work plans, performance monitoring and management (including appraisals) and staff development (including training needs analysis) for team(s) of direct reports in accordance with company policies and IiP standards.
- To maintain a risk management strategy and approach.
- To take personal responsibility for the good use of the companies resources appropriate to the job level and work area.
- To ensure that all actions comply with the Companies policies on diversity and equal opportunities and health and safety.
- To undertake other duties which might be reasonably requested from time to time.