JOB DESCRIPTION. Prepare and present financial information, including accounts and budgets, to subsidiary management teams and Boards of Management.

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT / SERVICE: ACCOUNTANT FINANCE PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Accountant will provide a high quality, comprehensive financial and management accounting service to a portfolio of subsidiaries and business units within the Link group. The post holder will provide a supporting and advisory business partner service including the provision of financial reporting, business and strategic planning, budgeting services and generalist financial advice. The Accountant will also be required to present financial information to Boards of Management. The Accountant will operate as part of the management team(s) within their designated portfolio. Working closely with the relevant Directors, Managers and budget holders, the post holder will have a thorough understanding of the business plans and services provided by the subsidiaries and business units supported and will provide financial advice, support and solutions to support the business to achieve its objectives. MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY / TASKS Provide Finance Business Partner services to a portfolio of subsidiary companies and business units. Responsibilities for the designated portfolio include (but are not limited to): Carry out all accounting services, including management accounts, annual statutory financial statements, budgets and financial projections. Provide support and advice to the business in respect of external tender submissions and funding applications for new or existing services. Develop and prepare financial modeling for costing and evaluation of existing or new business activities to assist the business in decision making and strategic planning. Prepare and present financial information, including accounts and budgets, to subsidiary management teams and Boards of Management. Working closely with colleagues, participate in the management and co-ordination of external and finance related internal audits to ensure that audits are conducted efficiently, successfully and within agreed timescales. Work closely with auditors and senior colleagues in the Finance team to plan and manage audit timetable, provision of deliverables to the auditors and management of on-site audit visits

2 Work closely with the Senior Accountant [Operations] to provide all necessary subsidiary input for consolidated group accounts and budgets, ensuring that accounting policies, standards and practices are aligned and applied consistently across the group. Produce regular and ad hoc financial reports, relevant to the scope of the post. Prepare and submit financial returns to regulatory bodies, as required e.g. Scottish Housing Regulator, OSCR, FCA and others. Develop and maintain appropriate systems for monitoring, reporting and evaluating financial performance. Work closely with colleagues in the Finance team and subsidiaries to review and develop relevant procedures and financial controls to ensure, not only legal compliance, but best practice. Work closely with colleagues in the Finance Business Services team to create and support a framework for providing cover for other Business Partners, in the event of absence or conflicting priorities, to ensure continuity of service delivery to the business. Work with colleagues to develop a customer service culture and focus within the Finance team. Working with colleagues in the Finance team, and with support from the ICT&D team, participate in the review and development of the range of software packages and systems in use by the finance team and the formulation and development of a Finance ICT strategy. Carry out ad hoc and project work, relevant and appropriate to the responsibilities of the post. GENERAL To comply with the Health and Safety Policy, reporting any matters of concern to the Health and Safety Officer, Representatives or line manager. To actively promote the Equality and Diversity Policy and practice in all aspects of the job role as it relates to colleagues, tenants, service users, contractors, consultants and external agencies. To carry out other duties, within the scope of the job, to meet the needs of the business.

3 RELATIONSHIPS Link Business Partners [Director and Management Teams] Finance Team colleagues Link s auditors, consultants and professional advisers ACCOUNTABILITY The Accountant reports to the Finance Manager.

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS Qualified accountant with recognised accounting body (e.g. ICAS, ACA, ACCA, CIMA) Part qualified accountant with recognised accounting body (e.g. ICAS, ACA, ACCA, CIMA) Actively studying; with a demonstrable pathway to qualification within 2 years of appointment ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT Form Form KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE & SKILLS Proven experience in a financial or management accounting role Proven experience of statutory financial reporting and audit Experience of building successful relationships with people at all levels and with non-finance business partners Proven experience of providing a finance business partner advisory service Experience of reporting to and presenting at Board or Committee meetings Ability to present financial information to a varied audience Advanced level of IT skills and excellent knowledge of Microsoft systems (Excel, Word), web enabled IT tools and software

5 Knowledge and experience of financial ledger systems Knowledge and experience of housing, charities, social care, social enterprise, property or other voluntary sector organisations Knowledge of social funding regimes

6 COMPETENCY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (ALL ESSENTIAL) ASSESSED AT INTERVIEW COMMUNICATION Communicates ideas and information effectively, both verbally and in writing, ensuring messages are clear and understandable. Shares information openly and encourages a two way dialogue. Use appropriate language and style that is both relevant to the situation and to the people being addressed. CUSTOMER CENTRED APPROACH Puts the person at the heart of the service and is able to understand both internal and external customers and service users needs. Recognises that customers and service users are unique. Takes personal responsibility for securing the satisfaction and well being of customers and service users. Shows perseverance and innovation in resolving problems. Encourages and maintains open, positive relationships with a wide range of people. Listens and communicates assertively to ensure mutual understanding. INNOVATION Constantly strives to evaluate, question and improve how things are done. Views improvement as a continuous process. Creatively explores and applies innovative approaches to improve the quality and delivery of services. WORKING TOGETHER Willingness to participate and contribute effectively to the team effort. Will put own interests aside when appropriate to meet the needs of the team. LEADERSHIP The ability to lead, inspire and encourage others to meet business objectives whilst providing a clear vision and sense of purpose in all activities. Actively participates and contribute towards Project Teams, Committees and other working groups. Is supportive of colleagues, including secondees, placements and new employees. PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS Takes personal responsibility for making things happen and achieving results. Presents ideas clearly and persuasively. Willing to take responsibility in challenging circumstances or when things go wrong. The ability to recognise and control own emotions and to respond to situations objectively, even when under pressure. The self-confidence and flexibility to adapt own response to suit the needs of the situation or to respond flexibly depending on the other persons approach. PROBLEM SOLVING AND REASONING The ability to identify and resolve problems by gathering and analysing information from a range of sources, and make informed and effective decisions. Draws appropriate conclusions and considers the consequences of these decisions. Willingness to participate and contribute effectively to the team effort. Will put own interests aside when appropriate to meet the needs of the team. INFORMATION SYSTEMS A functional understanding of Link s core information communication technology including Microsoft Office, File Stream systems and department I.T systems. Ability to access and use personal computer software for effective communication and the management of information. Has a basic knowledge of PCs, including keyboard skills and will take active steps to update personal computer literacy skills and to support others when required.

7 Data Protection Information Sheet You have been asked to consent to Link processing your personal and sensitive data for legitimate purposes. This document will explain what this means. What s the difference between personal data and sensitive data? Personal data is any information about an individual which could be used to identify them using the data, for example: Name Address Date of Birth Employee Reference Number National Insurance Sensitive data is any data which could be used in a discriminatory way, for example: Racial or ethnic origin Political opinions Religious or similar beliefs Trade union membership Physical or mental health condition Sexual life Commission or alleged commission of offences What is processing? The term processing covers every action associated with data, including; Obtaining Retrieving Altering Organising Sharing Deleting In what circumstances might my personal or sensitive data be shared? Legally, Link must share your details with Her Majesty s Revenue and Customs, the Department of Work and Pensions and any relevant Regulatory Bodies. All staff members are auto-enrolled in the Link pension scheme and with Westfield Health. A pre employment health check is conditional of your employment therefore you will be required to complete a pre employment medical questionnaire and send to our Occupational Health Providers.

8 If at some point during your employment you require an Occupational Health visit, Link will share details of your health as part of the referral. Link will also use staff data for reporting purposes and providing statistical analysis, however in this instance information cannot be attributed to individual staff members Link Group Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, Registered Number: 1481 R(S), Registered Office: Link House, 2c New Mart Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1RL. It is a Charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number: SC and a Registered Social Landlord with the Scottish Housing Regulator, Registration Number: HAL 148. Link Group 2015.