Job Description - Chief Accountant

Post Title:	Chief Accountant
Department:	Finance & Resources
Grade:	Band 16
Responsible To:	Head of Finance
Supervising:	Corporate Finance
Other Allowances :	£3,750 annual contribution to lease car

Job Summary

To provide financial services, advice and appropriate information to the Head of Finance, Director of Finance, corporate and service management and Members. To ensure preparation of the Council's Final Accounts in accordance with legislation and the Council's revenue and capital budgets and its Medium Term Financial Plan and best practice. To ensure reliable budget monitoring. To ensure and maintain appropriate accounting standards. To supervise the proper financial management of the Council's treasury management activities, its risk management and insurance arrangements and its tax affairs.

Note:

This Job Description is not a definitive list of tasks, it is designed to give an overall view of the job, and not to indicate what the sole requirements are for you to do the work. It is envisaged that you will use your own initiative, and develop you own style to achieve the desired aims.

Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

Principal Responsibilities

1. To deputise for the Head of Finance in his/her absence, within the responsibilities of the post.
2. To provide managerial direction of the accountancy section ensuring that all requirements of legislation and relevant codes of practice are adhered to. This includes:-
   1. preparation of final accounts
   2. external audit liaison
   3. preparation of annual revenue and capital budget and strategic Medium Term Financial Plan
   4. investments, cash flow and income generation
   5. analysis of governmental regulations, consultation papers etc
   6. systems accountancy
   7. the Council's tax affairs
   8. support for major corporate projects
   9. Member support
   10. accounting policy and the maintenance of accounting standards
   11. budget monitoring
   12. risk management and insurances
   13. management and modelling of the accountancy budget
3. Attend meetings of the Cabinet, Committees etc to advise on financial matters as and when required.
4. To ensure that corporate policies and standards are applied within the post's remit.
5. To provide a professional, efficient and effective financial management service to corporate and service managers and budget holders.
6. To train non-finance professionals in financial matters, including service and corporate managers and members.
7. To liaise and negotiate with external funding bodies, government departments and other third parties where required.
8. Liaison with and advice to Parish Councils on financial matters relating to Precepts and Concurrent Services.
9. Complete claims, returns and questionnaires as required, provide statistical information to make available comparisons of service costs and ascertain areas where improvements can be made as required.
10. To carry out annual staff development interviews with all the staff in the section.
11. To contribute to the broader management of the Directorate and administration of the Council's finances.
12. Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria	How Tested?	Desirable Criteria	How Tested?
Education, Professional Qualifications and Training
CCAB qualified accountant	Application Form/Certificate	CIPFA qualified	Application Form/Certificate
Skills, Abilities and Special Knowledge
Detailed knowledge of legislation and best practices affecting local government accounting	Application Form/Interview	Project planning and management experience	Application Form/Interview
Ability to manage and develop an accountancy service in a performance management framework	Application Form/Interview	Presentation Skills	Application Form/Interview
Ability to manage and motivate a team of staff, including day to day operations and issues such as recruitment, discipline etc	Interview/Test	Assistance with Corporate Work Programme or a Best Value Performance Plan	Application Form/Interview
Ability to liaise with and further develop the Council's working relationships with other organisations, e.g. parish councils, voluntary sector, other local authorities, central government etc	Interview/Test	Experience of Agresso financial management system	Application Form
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written	Interview/Test	Knowledge of local government housing finance and accounting	Application Form/Interview
Use of Microsoft Excel and Word	Application Form/Interview
Knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles, existing and planned, of the local government finance regime and the organisational policies required to implement them	Application Form/Interview
Knowledge of trends and future changes in local government service provision	Application Form/Interview
Knowledge of best practice in terms of revenue and capital budgeting and budget monitoring;	Application Form/Interview
Ability to provide creative and innovative solutions for the financial well being of the Council	Application Form/Interview
Good inter-personal skills and an ability to communicate confidently and effectively with all tiers of management	Interview/Test
Ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines whilst maintaining and improving the service	Application Form/Interview
Calm and patient with good listening skills and ability to be tolerant of the views of others	Interview/Test
A high level of enthusiasm and commitment	Interview/Test
An ability to respond to change and to show initiative	Interview/Test
Previous Experience
5 years post qualification or senior management experience in a financial management service	Application Form/Interview	Recent involvement in implementing change in a complex organisation, e.g.	Interview
Recent experience in revenue and capital budget preparation and medium term financial planning	Application Form/Interview	Where systems have been 're-engineered' to provide integrated public interface or integrated ordering and payments	Interview
Relevant knowledge of local Government Finance and current issues	Application Form/Interview	Assistance with a Corporate Work Programme	Interview
Managerial and supervisory skills/capability	Application Form/Interview	Service Planning	Interview
		Experience with a Modern Financial System and its Management	Interview
		Recent involvement in treasury management and risk management	Application Form/Interview
Personal Circumstances
Ability to attend evening meetings on occasions	Interview
Genuine Occupational Qualifications
(Applies only to specific race or gender requirements)
None	N/A

 

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