Job Description - Senior Accountant (Environment and Regeneration)

Post Title:	Senior Accountant (Environment and Regeneration)
Service Unit :	Accountancy
Post No:	F153
Grade:	Band 13
Responsible To:	Principal Accountant (Environment, Regeneration and Central Services)
Supervising:	(Senior) Accountancy Assistants as required

Job Summary

One of a group of four Senior Accountants providing financial management support to the Council's service directorates. Duties encompass revenue and capital budget preparation and monitoring; final accounts; and project working. Although each Senior Accountant is allocated to a specific service area, generic working is encouraged and expected.

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. Provide a financial and management accounting role in support of a specific service area including budget setting, budget monitoring, preparation of final accounts and advice/guidance.
2. Ensure service managers are provided with sound financial advice so that they can effectively manage their budgets and identify potential for efficiencies and continuous improvement.
3. Contribute towards corporate reviews, plans, strategies and policies as required including Best Value, the development of external partnerships, service planning and any other initiatives that help to achieve the Council's corporate vision.
4. Ensure that an effective financial performance management culture is maintained. This includes rigorous attention to timescales, regular overview of the financial position for the appropriate services and help to service managers as required.
5. Play a proactive and supportive role within the accountancy team and to the Chief Financial Officer and other finance and service managers.
6. Contribute to the rapid programme of change embarked upon by the Council, including partnership working.
7. Undertake specific project work in response to legislative change, new services and financial systems.
8. Maintain a positive relationship with the Council's internal and external auditors.
9. Undertake other duties commensurate with the purpose and grade of the post as may be required from time to time.
10. Keep abreast of changes in local government finance, best practice and their effect on service provision; and maintain and improve professional levels of competence within the division.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria	How Tested?	Desirable Criteria	How Tested?
Education, Professional Qualifications and Training
CCAB part qualified accountant	Application Form/Certificate	CCAB qualified accountant	Application Form/Certificate
Skills, Abilities and Special Knowledge
Knowledge of Local Government Finance and the effect on service provision	Application Form/Interview	Presentation Skills	Application Form/Interview
Knowledge of accounting and financial management best practice	Application Form/Interview
Ability to analyse and interpret complex financial data	Application Form/Interview
Relevant knowledge of local Government Finance and current issues	Interview/Test
Ability to use Microsoft Excel and Word	Application Form/Interview/Test
Ability to manage and motivate staff;	Application Form/Interview
Good inter-personal skills and an ability to communicate confidently and effectively with all tiers of management	Interview/Test
Ability to work as part of a team	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
Recent experience in provision of a financial management service in a complex environment	Application Form/Interview	Local Government experience	Application Form/Interview
Experience of a modern Financial Information System	Application Form/Interview	Recent experience of change management in a complex organisation	Application Form/Interview
		Managerial and supervisory experience	Application Form/Interview
		Experience of the Agresso Financial Management System	Application Form/Interview

 

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