Finance Officer/Assistant Accountant

To deliver a highly effective finance service that enables the council to deliver to outcomes.

Operating efficiently, using existing processes and procedures to advise on best accounting practice to improve and enhance service delivery.

• To support the relevant Group Manager/Accountant in the provision of a value adding, customer focused business support and relationship management service to relevant budget holders and Heads of Service to ensure their financial needs are met. This includes supporting the delivery of sound financial planning, management, closure of account, project support & advice, management accounting, reporting, statutory/statistical returns (including returns to government departments and tax returns), and coordination of financial arrangements for a given division/area across both revenue, capital (as appropriate).

• Support the development of financial competence of budget holders within the relevant directorate/areas, as well as compliance in using the financial systems of the organisation.

• To support and implement the changing role of finance in becoming a service that is proactive, takes ownership and maximises benefit from technological changes, focuses on becoming a data led, value adding professional advisory and support function whilst also ensuring appropriate controls are in place in relation to transitional processing.

1. Provide effective, responsive, proactive and valued business support relationships with given areas, work with and support them in achieving their outcomes while driving financial improvements and delivering excellent customer service. This includes taking ownership to ensure the outcomes are delivered and working collaboratively with other colleagues/services to do this where necessary.

1. Promote good working relationships with the external/internal auditors and contribute to the prompt resolution of any audit queries. Providing support where necessary to senior officers with regard to audit queries.

1. Ensure the council’s accounts reflect the true accounting position and transactional postings to the chart of accounts are correct at source, for relevant areas.

Enable service users, through training, guidance, and other means (as appropriate) to enhance knowledge and promote a culture of compliance with defined financial processes and controls. To ensure that the financial governance requirements are understood and accepted by the business and that the implications of non-compliance are made clear for given areas

Knowledge of local authority accounting requirements

Ability to interpret financial data/information, apply logic and judgement

Knowledge of budgets and accounts within a large organisational setting - preferably local government

Good communication skills

Good theoretical knowledge of local authority accounting requirements, UK accounting standards and their application in a local authority context

Have knowledge and understanding of financial planning, management and financial frameworks in a large organisation - preferably local government

Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills and a pro-active approach to work, including identifying and resolving problems/issues

Experience of working with budgets and accounts

Experience of working in a customer focus environment supporting a range of managers

Experience of financial management

Experience of working in local government finance for budget setting (both revenue and capital), budget monitoring and closure of accounts

Experience of working in a customer focus environment supporting a range of managers and enabling them to take responsibility of their financial accountabilities