Job ProfileRole Purpose· To act as the lead coordinator for the annual production of the Statement of Accounts.· To ensures the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of financial records, provides strategic financial guidance.· To manage day to day activity within the Chief Accountant’s team, including design and implementation of processes and procedures for other staff to follow.· To maintain the integrity of the underpinning chart of accounts, balances and transactions to facilitate all aspects of statutory and management reporting.· To provide high quality professional and technical advice to members, senior officers, service finance teams and the wider organisation on a broad range of financial accounting and reporting issues, ensuring compliance with CIPFA Codes of Practice (including Accounting and Service Expenditure Reporting) and Council financial regulations.· Technical lead on liaising with external auditors and contribute to management comments on external audit recommendations and progress these to ensure implementation within agreed timeframes.· To deputise for the Chief Accountant as may be reasonably required from time to time in relation to day-to-day financial reporting activities.Main ResponsibilitiesAccounting and Reporting:1. To coordinate the production of the statement of accounts, including managing the closure timetable, and production of the main accounts document and collation of working papers, liaising with key parties within the Council’s finance team, and external parties as is necessary.2. To lead on the preparation of Housing revenue account (HRA) financial statement for consolidation into the group accounts and collection fund statement.3. To lead on the preparation and implementation of new standards and reporting requirements coming into effect April 2024 such as IFRS 16 and reporting requirements for infrastructure assets.4. Liaise with external partners and organisations to ensure that relevant financial and non-financial information is provided to support consolidation and reporting.5. To maintain and control the chart of accounts to facilitate production of accurate and consistent financial information covering both statutory and non-statutory returns.6. To maintain oversight and control of the Council’s primary financial systems including feeder systems and relevant reconciliations.7. To implement the procedures the Council has in place to maintain control over accounting activity, such as balance sheet reconciliations, grant registers, and the Council’s asset register.8. To ensure the accurate completion of statistical and other governmental and non-governmental returns, including Whole Government Account, Revenue Outturn, Housing Capital Pooling Return and ad hoc returns.9. To provide advice on VAT and support council-wide service initiatives with complex VAT implications through obtaining specialist advice and ensuring the council avoids penalties from HMRC.10. To design and deliver training for corporate finance and service finance teams on a broad range of financial accounting topics through developing a suite of training material and presentations.11. To provide responses to public inspection of the accounts ensuring information governance rules are not breached and satisfactory responses are provided in a timely manner to minimise objections raised with external auditors.Compliance and Regulations:12. Stay updated on relevant financial regulations, laws, and compliance requirements applicable to the local government authority.13. Ensure adherence to all financial and accounting regulations, reporting standards, and ethical practices.14. To review financial processes, recommend improvements, implement change and provide appropriate training as necessary to other Council staff members.15. To ensure that there is an effective quality control and compliance monitoring framework to allow early identification of financial issues and risks and their communication to senior managers as appropriate, for example, overseeing the balance sheet reconciliations process.16. To provide advice on VAT and non-employee related taxation matters affecting the Council.17. To ensure that there is an effective quality control and compliance monitoring framework to allow early identification of financial issues and risks and their communication to senior managers as appropriate.18. To identify and report system failures / weaknesses, explain the risk to key stakeholders, propose mitigating actions and implement controls to reduce risk and improve effectiveness19. To keep up to date with developments in service delivery and best practice to ensure the service performs effectively and to the highest standards, clearly evidencing Value for Money and compliance with the principles of the CIPFA Financial Management Code20. To take lead in the valuation of Council’s assets to ensure this is done as prescribed by the code and reported accordingly.Financial Analysis and Strategy:21. Assist Chief Accountant with Conducting financial analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.22. Provide strategic financial insights to senior management, assisting in decision-making processes related to financial compliance.23. Oversee cash flow management and quarterly preparation of cash flow statements to inform decision making.24. Participate in the development of long-term financial plans and strategies to ensure the authority’s fiscal sustainability.25. To represent Financial Management on a range of internal and external boards and forums and ensure the Council’s interests, compliance with legislation and policies, financial sustainability and Value for Money are always considered.Team Leadership:26. Lead and mentor a team of principal accountants, providing guidance, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.27. Delegate tasks appropriately and ensure the team’s productivity and efficiency.28. Foster a collaborative and positive work environment within the accounting department.29. To sign off and authorise work completed by members of the Chief Accountant’s team (or other staff as necessary), ensuring that best practice is being followed and high standards maintained.30. Ensure all staff in the Chief Accountant’s Team have adequate supervision, training and support and ensure that tasks are allocated in line with current priorities and deadlines, and work is planned and carried out in accordance with deadlines.31. To deputise for the Chief Accountant, as necessary in the case of their absence or otherwise, including provision of advice to senior management or other Council staff, and provision of support and guidance to staff membersGeneric Responsibilities1. Understanding, knowledge and ability to follow guidelines that ensures compliance with Health and Safety at Work, Data Protection and other statutory requirements.2. Understanding and commitment to promoting and implementing the Council’s Equal Opportunities policies.3. Knowledge and experience of using IT.4. To undertake any other temporary responsibilities aligned with the overall purpose and grade of the role.Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and ExperienceDegree level or equivalent qualification plus relevant experience.Membership of appropriate professional body by examination e.g. CIPFA, or other CCAB body; plus evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).Experience of working in a financial accounting role, with evidence of having advised senior management in financial accounting.Strong experience of preparing financial statement and consolidated group accounts in a local government environment.Attention to detail and accuracy.High ethical standards and integrity.Experience of managing staff members, preferably extending to management of a large teamExcellent communication and analytical skills.Ability to work with high level internal and external stakeholders.Ability to exercise initiative and good judgement in delivering service and Council aims and objectives.Strong leadership and team management abilities.Knowledge of public finance regulations and practicesGood knowledge of financial accounting standards and CIPFA codes and drive for constant updates.Knowledge of valuation of assetsProficiency in financial accounting systems/software and understanding integration of other systems integration.If you are interested in this role please do reach out to me via email or telephone!amberrayment@carringtonblakerecruitment.com020 753 766 07

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