JOB DESCRIPTION. Ref No: N003/02/2015 Date: 17 February Assistant Financial Accountant

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Ref No: N003/02/2015 Date: 17 February 2015 Dept: Job Title: Grade: Reports to: Finance Assistant Financial Accountant P03 Financial Accountant Main Purpose of Job The Assistant Accountant will assist the Financial Accountant in developing robust financial accounting systems, procedures and controls in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions and other accountability arrangements. The postholder will also be required to provide significant input into the timely and accurate preparation of the Statutory Annual Accounts, Consolidation Accounts and other statutory returns. The postholder will be responsible for the day to day management of all financial services Departments (Treasury, Accounts Payable and Payroll/Pensions) and ensuring that accurate and timely payments are made in accordance with Statutory and other Guidance and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions and Procedure Manuals. Vision Protecting Our Community Mission To deliver a fire and rescue service and work in partnership with others to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. 1

2 Summary of Responsibilities and Personal Duties 1. Provide significant input into the preparation of Statutory Annual Accounts in accordance with Departmental Directives UK GAAP and other relevant guidance; 2. Provide significant input into the production of Consolidated Accounts in Accordance with Departmental/Central Government Directives; 3. Provide input into the preparation of monthly monitoring returns to the Department in accordance with Departmental directives; 4. To manage the Accounts and Payroll functions on a day to day basis ensuring accurate and timely payments are made, systems are continually developed and appropriate controls are in place; 5. Responsible for the reconciliation of the VAT Control account and the preparation of the VAT return for the approval of the Financial Accountant; 6. Responsible for the reconciliation of Payroll Accounts and the preparation of Statutory Returns for the approval of the Financial Accountant; 7. Liaise with External Auditors on a day to day basis to ensure clean audit opinion of Statutory accounts; 8. Liaise with Internal Auditors on internal audit assignments and ensure that all audits and audit recommendations are dealt with in an expeditious manner; 9. Provide significant input into development of Standing Financial Instructions, procedure manuals and month end routines; 10. Responsible for the day to day management of organisational cash flow. 11. Responsible for the day to day management over financial disbursements and ensure that effective controls are maintained over electronic (BACs) and other payment methods; 12. Responsible for ensuring that effective procedures are in place for all bank and control accounts and that such reconciliations are undertaken on a timely and efficient manner; 13. Responsible for ensuring that established procedures and month end routines are adhered to; 14. Plan and implement changes in policies and procedures and ensure that appropriate staff carry out these changes; 2

3 15. Be able to understand complex payroll/pensions issues and determine the most appropriate course of action to meet the required outcomes; 16. Responsible for the integration of payroll/accounts payable sub systems with the General Ledger and ensuring that appropriate coding structures/interfaces are maintained; 17. Take responsibility for the planning of pay awards, calculation of arrears, etc, and ensure that accurate and timely payments are made; 18. Responsible for ensuring that accurate and up-to-date information is maintained in respect of payroll/pensions records and that any amendments/pay awards are processed in a timely basis; 19. Responsible for ensuring that accurate and up-to-date information is maintained in respect of Trader Files/Debtors and that all payments and receipt of funds are processed on a timely basis; 20. Responsible for the production of monthly staffing establishment figures which reconcile to payroll and HR establishment records; 21. Authorisation of payments within predetermined limits; 22. Take an active role in the development of staff and organise appropriate staff development programmes as required. 23. Provide financial information as required and any other duties as commensurate with this grade. General Management Responsibilities: 24. Responsible for the management of staff, performance appraisals and the preparation of Forward Job Plans for staff under his/her control; 25. Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her; 26. Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making whilst retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results; 27. Participates, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Board; 28. Responsible for Health and Safety aspects as set out in the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's Health and Safety Policy; 3

4 29. The promotion and support of the principles and practices of all aspects of fairness at work in accordance with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service s Equal Opportunities Policy. 30. Such other duties as may be allocated and interchange of duties as required; 31. To effectively manage the attendance of staff within the established procedures and to meet any attendance targets set by the Service; and 32. To observe any guidance issued under the Data Protection Act

5 Employee specification Ref No: N003/02/2015 Date: 17 February 2015 Dept: Job Title: Grade: Finance Assistant Financial Accountant P03 Reports to: Financial Accountant Experience and Qualifications Applicants must provide evidence that they meet the following criteria by the closing date for applications: Essential 1. A CCAB Qualified/Finalist Accountant having successfully completed the professional examinations of one of the following: - Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS) - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - Chartered Association of Certified Accountants - Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy 2. Have 2 years experience of preparing Financial Statements and the application of Financial Reporting Standards. 3. Experience of developing Financial Procedures in a large organisation in order to ensure proper Corporate Governance. 4. Practical experience of preparing Bank and other Reconciliation Accounts. 5. Experience of managing a busy Finance Department and supervising finance staff. 6. Practical experience of computerised accounting packages/spreadsheets. 7. Have access to a form of transport which enables the postholder to fulfil the full requirements of the job. DESIRABLE CRITERIA: 1. Having successfully completed the professional examinations as detailed above. 2. Experience of Pensions Accounting. 3. Experience of developing integrated accounting systems. 5