COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE COUNCIL POSITION INFORMATION PACKAGE MANAGER FINANCE & CUSTOMER SERVICES 22/10/13 CORPORATE SERVICES

Transcription

1 COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE COUNCIL POSITION INFORMATION PACKAGE MANAGER FINANCE & CUSTOMER SERVICES 22/10/13 CORPORATE SERVICES

2 COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE COUNCIL POSITION INFORMATION PACKAGE Contents OVERVIEW OF POSITION 3 WHY WORK IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT? 4 REMUNERATION PACKAGE AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT 4 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 5 CLOSING DATE 5 INTERVIEW 5 OFFER OF APPOINTMENT 6 GENERAL INFORMATION 6 CONTACTS 6 POSITION DESCRIPTION 7 ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA 10 DESIRABLE SELECTION CRITERIA 10 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 11 PROPERTY RENTAL MANAGEMENT 12 2

3 OVERVIEW OF POSITION Council is seeking a finance professional who is committed to business excellence and innovation in service delivery to lead the Finance and Customer Service Team. This outstanding professional will provide strategic business advice to ensure that internal budgets are integrated with business planning so that organisational objectives can be achieved. The position requires an analytical thinker, who will know the numbers backwards, interpret information, and add insight and explanations, developing potential strategies and scenarios so that decisions are based on sound information. Reporting to the Director Corporate Services, the key responsibilities of the role are the preparation of the long term financial plan, reporting on progress against strategic objectives, on-going budget reviews for each Service and Department of Council, overseeing the Finance and Customer Service functions and providing professional support and advice to managers and senior staff. The Manager of Finance & Customer Services develops and implements financial models to align strategy with resources and enable Council to make financially sustainable decisions about service delivery, ensuring appropriate action is taken towards Council s agreed future vision. The development of reporting templates and scorecards, including key performance indicators, to enable Council to measure performance against strategy and monitor progress will be a key objective of the role. The successful applicant will be able to promote the image of Council and the Corporate Services Department by providing a high level of customer service and advice to Corporate Services clients, including internal staff, government authorities and members of the public. Experience in managing a team in a positive and communicative manner to promote cohesion and work effectiveness will be highly regarded. The ideal applicant will have effective interpersonal skills and be experienced in engaging and dealing with staff, customers and stakeholders in a professional and respectful manner. Cootamundra Shire Council employs approximately 95 employees to service a population of around 7,500 including the town of Cootamundra, the villages of Wallendbeen and Stockinbingal and surrounding farming localities. Council prides itself on its cohesive workplace environment and co-operative and flexible work practices. This combined with numerous local sporting and leisure clubs and an active arts and cultural community provides an enviable lifestyle opportunity for an aspiring professional. The Position Description included in this package provides more details regarding the main duties and the qualifications and experience requirements for the position. Please read the section Application Requirements to ensure you send Council all the necessary information to support your application. Thank you for expressing an interest in working for Cootamundra Shire Council. Ken Trethewey General Manager 3

4 WHY WORK IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT? A career in Local Government offers a host of exciting opportunities and benefits. You will be working in a dynamic workplace environment offering scope to broaden experience in and knowledge of many professional areas and functions, providing opportunities to multi-skill. Advancement and job prospect options will be both professionally and geographically diverse, with the added benefit of access to professional development networks, encouraging continual attainment of new skills and expertise. Local Government provides a secure, fair and flexible work environment where you will enjoy generous entitlements for leave and attractive work-life balance provisions. Importantly you will thrive on the knowledge that your contribution to providing real solutions to community needs will have impact and make a difference. A career in Local Government enables you to connect with your community and provide wonderful quality of life. REMUNERATION PACKAGE AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT This position is classified at Grade 18 in Council s Salary Structure and attracts an entry level salary of $81,484 per annum. The Council s Salary System allows for skills based salary progression, from entry level through 6 additional salary steps over a 17% range. Council operates a nine day fortnight covering basic working hours of 35 per week, Monday to Friday, and conditions are determined by the Local Government (State) Award A copy of the 35 Hour Staff Nine Day Fortnight Agreement is available upon request. The appointee will be required to work between the hours of 9am and 5pm with actual start and completion times to be negotiated with consideration to the 35 Hour Nine Day Fortnight Agreement. A fully maintained vehicle is provided for business and private use, in line with Council s Motor Vehicle Lease Conditions. A copy of Council s Motor Vehicle Lease Conditions is available upon request. Relocation expenses will be offered in accordance with Council policy. That is, full removal expenses on the basis of three equal instalments, being on commencement and then after one year and two years of service. Council is in a position to provide a modern four bedroom dwelling subject to Council s Property Rentals Management policy. The current market rental is $220.00/week. A copy of the Property Rentals Management policy is attached. Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and operates a Smoke Free workplace. The preferred candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination at Council s expense prior to an offer of appointment being made. Continuing employment will be confirmed on the successful completion of a 3 month Probationary Period. 4

5 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Council applies Merit Based Selection processes to the recruitment of all positions. Applications must answer all the questions on the Application Form, either online, or by submission to Council. When answering the questions, it is most important that you demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria as outlined in the attached job description and when and where you did so. Telephone (02) and ask for assistance if you are unsure about how to prepare the application. We are happy to help. Applicants are required to provide: Details of skills, education and experience in response to the Application Form Questions, limited to 300 words. a copy of a current resume, detailing work experience. If successful in reaching the next stage of the process, applicants will be asked to further provide: contact details of work related referees. copies of relevant and genuine qualifications, and a signed declaration consenting to employment screening checks being conducted on them. The application can be made via the online form, post, or fax. If posting or hand delivering your application please mark it: Confidential Application Manager Finance & Customer Services The General Manager Cootamundra Shire Council PO Box 420 COOTAMUNDRA NSW 2590 If ing your application please send it to mail@cootamundra.nsw.gov.au with subject Confidential Application Manager Finance & Customer Services. If faxing your application please send to with attention to The General Manager and marked Confidential Application Manager Finance & Customer Services. If you fax or your application it is suggested that you make a follow up phone call ( ) to confirm that it was received. Council will not accept responsibility for or facsimile transmission errors. CLOSING DATE Applications close at 4pm on Monday 18 th November, INTERVIEW It is intended that interviews will be held no later than the week commencing Monday 2 nd December, You will be contacted within 10 working days of the close of applications regarding the success of your application in progressing to interview, and you will be notified of the time and place of the interview if you are successful. Please bring original documentation (qualifications, certificates, references etc) to be authenticated by the interview panel. Arrive at least 10 minutes early, to allow time to settle yourself and focus on your strengths and experiences. 5

6 In preparation for your interview think about your responses to the questions you think might be asked. Interview questions are usually based on the Selection Criteria. You may also be asked to provide examples of how you have applied key behaviours in your previous work place/s. You will also be given the opportunity to ask further questions you may have about the position, Council and workplace conditions. Please confirm with your referees, if possible, that they will be available to be potentially contacted by the selection panel. You may advise us of any changes of referees, if required, at the time of interview. Council will meet reasonable out of pocket expenses to attend an interview, on the basis of fuel, meals and accommodation. However, should the position be offered and subsequently declined by any applicant, interview expenses will not be reimbursed. OFFER OF APPOINTMENT Before being made an offer of employment, the preferred candidate s referees will be contacted and appropriate employment screening checks undertaken. The candidate will also be requested to undertake a pre-employment medical examination at Council s expense. Once these checks have been satisfactorily completed and the recommendation for the position has been approved by the General Manager, the successful candidate will be contacted personally to be offered the position. A Letter of Offer, detailing any further verbal negotiation, will be forwarded to the applicant, with a duplicate required to be signed and returned to Council as acceptance of the offer. GENERAL INFORMATION The Council's Office is situated at Wallendoon Street, Cootamundra. Works Depots 1 and 2 are located on Hovell Street. Cootamundra is a pleasant town of around 6,000 residents within a Shire of around 7,500 residents and provides schooling, health and recreational facilities of an excellent standard. Located in the South West Slopes, the area is regarded as one of the most prosperous agricultural areas in NSW. Excellent road and rail services are available to Sydney and Melbourne and daily air services to Sydney are available from Wagga Wagga (100km). Canberra is a pleasant two hour drive away. The Council is financially sound and all day to day work is up to date. Potential applicants are referred to Council s website at for more information about the area. CONTACTS If you wish to discuss the position please contact one of the following: Director Corporate Services Kate Monaghan Telephone Kate.Monaghan@cootamundra.nsw.gov.au Human Resources Officer Leanne Crawford Telephone Leanne.Crawford@cootamundra.nsw.gov.au 6

7 POSITION DESCRIPTION A. POSITION PROFILE Position: Manager Finance & Customer Services Position Evaluation: Band 3 Level 3 Grade 18 Conditions of Employment: Local Government (State) Award 2010 Additional Benefits: 35 Hour Nine Day Fortnight Motor Vehicle Lease Back Position Occupant: Vacant Department: Corporate Services Section/Group: Finance & Customer Services Direct Supervisor: Director Corporate Services Number of Staff Supervised by this position: Directly 5 Indirectly 3 B. STATEMENT OF FUNCTION Manages the operations and co-ordinates the activities of the Finance and Customer Services Groups within the Corporate Services Department, providing expertise in management accounting and ensuring a high standard of customer service. C. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Ensure the integrity of the general and costing ledgers, accurately maintaining all data in accordance with Council s policies and procedures and relevant statutory requirements relating to finance. 2. Ensure the timely preparation and auditing of Council s General Purpose Financial Statements, quarterly budget review statement and all other financial reporting. 3. Contribute to Council s Integrated Planning and Reporting responsibilities, including preparation of the Long Term Financial Plan and Operational Plan, and contributing to the Delivery Plan. 4. Create reporting templates, financial models and key performance indicators, using Council s Corporate software system, to measure operational performance. 5. Provide professional support and assistance to Managers so that service level budgets and financial targets are developed and reviewed. 6. Fulfil the statutory role of Responsible Accounting Officer in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and meet financial reporting requirements in accordance with the Local Government Act and Regulations, Australian Accounting Standards and Council Policy. 6. Ensure that all Council policies, initiatives and practices relating to customer service are implemented and supported in the Finance and Customer Services Section. 7. Manage the Finance and Customer Services Section staff and resources effectively, ensuring the responsibilities and expected outcomes of the Section are achieved, its policies and procedures are adhered to, and ensure the promotion of a cohesive work environment. 8. Ensure that staff within the Finance and Customer Services Section receive a level of training and development that meets their needs and provides the Section with an adequately skilled workforce. 9. Ensure that the work environment in the Finance and Customer Services Section is safe and complies fully with the requirements of Council s Work Health and Safety Policy and procedures. 10. Ensure Council is represented professionally at external meetings and groupings such as REROC and other committees in accordance with Council policies. 7

8 C(ii). JOB COMPLEXITY Authority and Accountability The Manager of Finance and Customer Services is responsible for Council s Budget Control, Forward Estimates, Financial Statements, Rental Leases, Fees and Charges. The position has a high level of external influence by ensuring services are consistent with Council standards. The position fulfils the role of Responsible Accounting Officer, certifying that records meet the required statutory requirements and standards, and is accountable for their own actions and decisions and their consequences. The position assists with identifying requirements as an input to budget development, is responsible for consolidating the budget for the whole organisation, and balances expenditure and revenue across the whole organisation. Judgement and Problem Solving Sound judgement will be required where there will not be any right or wrong solution to problems encountered. Readily available information, policies and legislative guidelines will aid in the evaluation and analysis of problems in straight forward situations. The Manager Finance and Customer Services is expected to understand the strategic business direction of Council and apply business principles to achieve these aims. Availability of Guidance Policy and procedures are readily available but the jobholder is required to choose the appropriate management process. Unusual problems may be referred for clarity of policy or direction. Autonomous decisions and independent action will be required when working away from Council premises. This position reports directly to the Director Corporate Services on matters dealing with strategic planning and management issues and day to day operational issues relating to the Finance and Customer Services Section. This position is also required to report to the General Manager on issues as required. Management The Manager of Finance and Customer Services directs the operations of the Finance and Customer Service Groups and is responsible for assigning work activities, coaching and developing staff. Advice is provided to the Director Corporate Services and General Manager, regarding the appointment of staff, personnel performance management, training requirements, the handling of employee complaints and disciplinary actions. The position authorises timesheets and recommends the approval of overtime and leave applications. The positions that report directly to this position are: Accounting Officer: responsible for investments, Fringe Benefits Tax, fuel reconciliation and GST returns. Payroll Officer: responsible for the administration of weekly payroll, superannuation contributions, and workers compensation matters. Revenue Officer: responsible for the billing and collection of levied charges pertaining to land, water and sewer. Accounts Payable Officer: responsible for the payment of accounts within trading terms. Customer Services Officer: responsible for the delivery of first point of contact professional customer service to external and internal customers. Positions that report indirectly to this position are: Trainee Accountant: responsible for bank reconciliations, preparation of tax invoices for debtors. Reports to the Accounting Officer. Trainee Receptionist: responsible for receipting and directing incoming inquiries to relevant Council staff and reports to and assists the Customer Services Officer. Executive Assistant Executive Services: responsible for providing confidential and professional administrative and executive support to Council s Executive Officers and Senior Management and also assisting the Customer Services Officer deliver professional first point of contact service. 8

9 D. DUTIES Section Management and Supervision 1. Manage and supervise the Finance and Customer Services Group, ensuring the functions of financial administration, planning and reporting including Annual Financial Returns, Budget Development and Control, Debtors and Creditors, Payroll, Revenue collection and Customer Service is carried out in accordance with Council s policies and procedures, and relevant statutory requirements. 2. Monitor, review and implement Council policies and procedures and all internal controls relating to the Finance section, to ensure audit requirements are satisfied and Council s finance system is accurate and timely. 3. Monitor, review and implement systems and procedures to manage customer service and response. 4. Plan, implement and review continuous improvement of service, performance, work practices, procedures, policies and systems within the Section. 5. Liaise with all stakeholders, including staff, in the planning, implementation and review of activities conducted within the Finance and Customer Services Section. 6. Provide regular reports to the Director Corporate Services and Managing Executive on the activities, performance and achievements of the Finance and Customer Services Section, and advice on procedural and system improvements to maximize efficiency of the Section. 7. Provide financial advice to the Managing Executive and supporting staff and generate reports and information as requested. 8. Manage the recruitment, induction and performance of Finance and Customer Services Section staff, in collaboration with the Director Corporate Services and the Human Resources staff. 9. Conduct annual skill and performance assessments of directly reporting staff of the Finance and Customers Services Section. 10. Act as relieving Director Corporate Services as required. 11. Other duties as deemed necessary for the efficient operations of the Corporate Services Department. Financial Management 12. Manage, review and maintain an appropriate corporate governance system to meet the needs of Council s reporting obligations in accordance with legislative requirements. 13. Manage, control, review and regularly report on the budget in order to provide timely information for decision making and to provide appropriate services and facilities, achieving the maximum value for expenditure. 14. Manage the preparation of budget documents to reflect the Delivery Plan and comply with local government department requirements. 15. Compile and present to Council, the Division of Local Government and the community, accurate audited annual returns indicating the financial position of Council. 16. Prepare statements and reports following Division of Local Government Guidelines and all relevant accounting standards. 17. Ensure that relevant staff are aware of the Code of Accounting Practice and have training to ensure compliance. 18. Ensure that all required reporting is undertaken in a timely and accurate manner and to ensure that the community has an accurate understanding of the financial position of Council. Financial Planning 19. Manage, control, review and regularly report on potential sources and availability of finances to Council in order to provide the appropriate services and facilities to the community. 20. Prepare, monitor and review Council s Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP). 21. Contribute to Council s Asset Management systems and registers. 22. Monitor, review and implement procedures to maintain Council's reserves and invest surplus so as to maximise return without exposure to risk and prepare monthly investment reports for Council. 23. Monitor, review and implement procedures to administer and maintain grants and other sources of project specific funding. 9

10 ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA 1. Relevant degree qualification in Accounting and a minimum four (4) years post qualification experience in cost and financial accounting, including the preparation of Annual General Purpose Financial Statements, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash flow management and business reporting. 2. Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret financial information, determine trends and effectively manage Council s resources through the preparation of long term financial plans, and budgetary controls. 3. Technical knowledge of and ability to apply legislation and standards applicable to this position including Australian Accounting Standards, GST, FBT and planning and reporting frameworks. 4. Demonstrated leadership and management skills with an ability to manage and develop staff in a positive manner and promote a cohesive and effective work environment. 5. Demonstrated professional interpersonal and spoken communication skills and the ability to effectively interact, liaise and negotiate with members of the public, other external parties and agencies and staff at all levels of the organisation. 6. Demonstrated written communication skills and the ability to produce clear and concise reports and correspondence to convey complex and technical information. 7. Demonstrated problem solving capabilities, including the ability to achieve results in situations where information may be unclear and a variety of outcomes possible. 8. Demonstrated organisational and time management skills to achieve specific and set objectives within required timeframes. 9. Demonstrated computer literacy and experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications in addition to financial software. 10. Current Australian Driver s Licence DESIRABLE SELECTION CRITERIA 1. CA / CPA qualification. 2. Sound knowledge of the Local Government Act 1993 and an understanding of Local Government administration. 10

11 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 11

12 PROPERTY RENTAL MANAGEMENT PURPOSE To ensure that Council maximises the rental return on its properties, where appropriate, unless in the circumstances of a particular lease there is an overriding benefit to Council and the community resulting from accepting a rental which is below market value. POLICY PROVISIONS 1. This policy shall apply to all Council properties to be leased to tenants whether by formal lease or otherwise. 2. Except as provided in Paragraph 3 of this policy, where Council enters into any lease over its real property, it shall charge a fair market rental under the lease. 3. Where Council forms the opinion that in the circumstances of a particular lease there is an overriding benefit to Council and the community resulting from accepting a rental which is below market value, it shall determine an appropriate rental for that lease. 4. Prior to entering into any lease, except a lease under Paragraph 3 of this policy or a lease to be decided by public tender, the responsible Council officer shall obtain an independent market rental valuation or appraisal for the property. 5. All leases entered into over Council properties shall provide for an increase in the rental in the second and subsequent years of the lease in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding year and a market review after a maximum of 5 years (if applicable). 6. (a) Where in accordance with Paragraph 3 of this policy Council is of the opinion that there is an overriding benefit to be derived from provision of staff rental accommodation for the purpose of attracting a candidate to a position with Council the rental charged shall be no less than the following: 1st 6 months of employment 2nd 6 months of employment 3rd 6 months of employment Thereafter 60% of market rental 75% of market rental 90% of market rental 100% of market rental (b) Any lease of staff rental accommodation shall be conditional upon the tenants being subject to 2 months notice to vacate should the property be required by Council for another purpose after 18 months tenancy. 7. In determining the market rental of any Council property, the existence of any structure erected on the land by the tenant with Council s approval shall not be taken into account. 8. Rentals under all leases existing at the date this policy comes into operation shall be brought into line with this policy upon expiry of the present lease term. Where those leases are on a week to week basis, the review shall take place as soon as practicable after this policy comes into operation. 12