Grade: 54,000 Group Accountant (Children s Services) Section: Division: Department: Reports to: As Required Finance Chief Executive Group Manager (Services) Purpose of the Job You are employed to provide services to Barking and Dagenham and to any traded/ shared services arrangements undertaken before and during your employment. You will also be required to work flexibly and this will potentially mean working at other locations and/ or outside normal working hours. For your specific role you will enable and ensure the delivery of the corporate aspects of the role and be the centre of excellence for the Council. You will lead and co-ordinate the core financial processes of assigned departments to ensure effective financial management, use of resources and compliance with accounting principles, the Council's financial regulations and corporate financial framework. You will facilitate the organisation in implementing strategic decisions in order to ensure the organisation s sustainability for the future within the available resources, while maintaining financial and ethical accountability to the organisation s stakeholders. You will be the finance business partner to designated Heads of Service/ Directors to lead the management of all financial aspects of services and to ensure that financial systems, processes and procedures are optimised to best professional practice, strong internal control, provision of high quality management information and provide good value for money. You are responsible for: leading developmental work in support of the corporate financial policies and strategies of the Council. evaluation, review and challenge of the continued financial effectiveness of the service plans to ensure that they are competitive in quality, price and delivery. As required, conduct strategic appraisals and financial modelling of all proposed changes and advise accordingly on the financial implications with a view to securing better value for money and improved services. leading the timely delivery of the finance statutory, legislative and other functions including the timely and accurate production of the statement of accounts, corporate budget monitoring, legal balanced budget and corporate capital programme.
delivering agreed outcomes on time, within budget and to the expected standard. process of planning and implementing continuous improvement in quality to drive and maximise efficiency and effectiveness of the systems, processes and outputs. developing and maintaining effective financial management systems and financial control procedures, and ensure compliance with legislation. ensuring accurate and timely reports are provided on relevant financial issues and performance to the department, to help facilitate efficient budget devolution to service managers, to aid decision making, budgetary control and fulfil statutory/ legislative requirements. You will also maximise use of information systems to support the work of the section and ensure there are robust practices and procedures in place to deliver the service plans. You will lead on providing financial advice and information to managers particularly in relation to the formulation and control of budgets, and maintain the day to day provision of financial services to designated Council Services in accordance with the Section Service Level Agreement. Main Activities Lead and co-ordinate the Department's financial monitoring processes to ensure accurate forecasting, early identification of pressures, savings and risks, delivery of appropriate recovery plans and the timely submission of the monitoring pack for capital and revenue budgets. This will involve: producing the monthly financial management pack for departmental management meetings including financial issues and associated activity drivers. ensuring the information produced by budget managers is accurate and realistic. To lead and co-ordinate the budget setting process for the Department to ensure it meets the requirements of the Council's Financial Strategy and that corporate timescales are met. This will involve: In consultation with budget managers, co-ordinate and control the preparation of capital and revenue budgets and identify, investigate and secure by negotiation any associated grants and contributions which may be available. To gather information on pressure, growth and savings based on service plans and corporate objectives. To support the delivery of efficiencies, new ways of working and service transformation. To challenge budget managers on the viability and robustness of their savings options. Source additional or available external funding. Allocation and calculation of recharges using appropriate, fair and transparent methodologies. To ensure the departmental budgets accurate, reconcile and appropriate aligned. Production of budget book and other relevant returns. To lead and co-ordinate the year end process for the Department, ensure appropriate timetable is in place that meets corporate requirements and provide effective guidance and training to budget managers.
This will involve: Ensuring that the department conforms to agreed timetables and professional standards. Ensuring correct and appropriate accounting principles, policies and standards have been applied. Produce information as required for Final Accounts, Annual Report and other documents for publication. Production of robust working papers. Facilitation of the internal and external audit processes ensuring that queries are resolved promptly and accurately, and respond to and implement recommendations arising. Ensure that all team members maintain an up to date knowledge of the financial framework and their role within it and have the skills and knowledge to provide their financial roles effectively. Deputise for the Finance Group Manager/ Director of Finance as required Support the Council s Financial and Service Planning process including Contribute to the development and maintenance of corporate financial policies and strategies. Evaluate and review the continued financial effectiveness of the service in consultation with customers to ensure that they are competitive in quality, price and delivery. Evaluate legislative and policy changes and assess the impact on the services provided by the division, and report accordingly. As required, conduct strategic appraisals of all proposed changes in service provision, and advise accordingly on the financial implications. Draft or otherwise agree the financial implications of reports to Members, partners and other external agencies, and present reports at meetings, where necessary. Support the Director of Finance in providing any relevant financial technical analysis. Investigate financial provision implications in relation to service policies, strategies, outputs and any appropriate Government or professional announcements. Assist in the review of any proposed changes in service provision; negotiate budget revisions with service managers; and report accordingly with a view to securing better value for money and improved services. Represent the Council in negotiations concerning financial arrangements with external agencies, including government departments and Partnership Bodies, as required. Provide advice to Heads of Service and Group Managers on all financial aspects relating to the service. Identify the training needs of service managers and their administrative support staff in relation to the Financial Management and ensure appropriate training strategies are implemented.
Ensure that all staff are aware of and comply with procedures to enforce strong financial control including appropriate use of the systems, monitor compliance and report/ address breaches accordingly. Ensure that the financial control environments are robust and to proactively identify, deal with and respond to financial control weaknesses through changes in policies, regulations, system and processes. Co-ordinate and control all relevant statutory returns, statistic, and grant claims, and deal as necessary with Government departments, Partnerships and other external bodies, in consultation with the appropriate service managers. Oversee financial vetting of contractors to verify financial strength and viability. Where relevant provide financial advice and assistance on the preparation, monitoring and award of Contracts. Manage the maintenance of accurate and meaningful financial information to meet management and statutory reporting requirements through the development of systems, reports and data integrity review including balance sheet accounts reconciliations and data cleansing. Where appropriate, advise and assist service managers on the development and implementation of service level agreements for their areas of service provision, and on methodology for charging in respect of internal services. To personally keep up to date with all professional and legal developments consistent with the requirements of the post, ensuring compliance with: New developments Appropriate legislation Council s policies and requirements, Standing Orders, Financial regulations Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post. Project Management Undertake assigned projects, ensuring that agreed outcomes are delivered on time, within budget and to the expected standard. Customer Care Provide services that are fair and accessible to all, challenging existing practices that support the traditional culture and promote the Customer First proposition across the Council People Management Undertake Supervisory responsibility for Principal Accountant staff, including ensuring staff assigned (directly and indirectly), understand the priorities, objectives and policies of the Council, Department and Division and are able to successfully implement decisions.
Be responsible for setting clear objectives for these staff, and annually review performance against these objectives, and undertake staff management and supervisory responsibilities. Foster teamwork involvement with staff to increase performance. Assist to create an environment for ideas and innovations to be explored and work practices challenged. Encourage staff to meet their full potential. Make sure that full confidentiality is respected by all staff. General Accountabilities and Responsibilities 1. Ensure compliance with appropriate legislation, Council Policies, Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and other requirements of the Council. 2. Undertakes a proactive, committed approach towards the Councils Best Value ethos. 3. Ensure compliance with and actively promote the Council s Equalities and Diversity policies and strategies. 4. Ensure compliance with and actively promote Health and Safety at work legislation, Council and Departmental H&S policies and procedures. 5. Comply with the competencies and standard requisites agreed by the Council as relevant to your post. 6. Comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (all employees of the Council will not disclose or make use of, for their private advantage, any information held on manual or computer records, which are not available to the public, however acquired. 7. Take responsibility for continuing self-development and participate in training and development activities. 8. Attend meeting as required some of which may be outside normal working hours. 9. Prepare and present regular reports to relevant strategic bodies, and any other appropriate agencies, partnerships, public or private bodies. The above mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the postholder may be called upon to carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required by the Corporate Director/ Head of Service within the grading level of the post and the competence of the postholder. 4. Political Restriction This post is Politically Restricted in accordance with S2 (2) (a), and S2 (3) and S2 (b) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
Person Specification Post Title: Group Accountant (Services Finance) Grade: PO9 Section, Division: Finance Date of Person Specification April 2015 Attributes Minimum Criteria Method of Experience/ Knowledge Good understanding of Local Government Finance. Written test/ At least 2 years post qualification experience of which at least 1 year at management level. Experience of managing a substantial budget. A knowledge and understanding of Best Value and Performance Management. Experience and understanding of cross service working. Experience of monitoring and reviewing standards of Service Provision. Demonstrable track record of taking remedial action where service provision does not achieve agreed outcomes Presentation/ Desirable Criteria Method of Experience of working at either a Corporate Level, or of integrating Written test/ corporate aims and objectives as a Presentation/ senior manager within a Department. Management of consultants, including allocation and checking of work and performance monitoring. Knowledge of medium term financial planning and budgeting Knowledge and experience of managing service department accounts, Knowledge and experience of Closure of Accounts process Evidence of improving systems to provide better information for decision making
Attributes Minimum Criteria Method of Experience of resource management people, finance and information. Education, Training And Qualifications Relationships Experience of recruiting, developing and managing staff. Experience of using corporate financial system. IT literate with an understanding of accounting systems CCAB Qualified Accountant (with at least 5 years accounting experience including at least 2 post qualification) Enable service customers to use best practice financial management techniques Build and sustain an effective team Support Corporate Finance management team in communicating financial outturns Handling Members needs Has strong influencing and negotiating skills at all levels. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and experience of producing reports on complex matters to promote a clear understanding of the issues. Appropriate documentary evidence Desirable Criteria Method of Evidence of Continuing Professional Development Appropriate documentary evidence
Attributes Minimum Criteria Method of Has developed an established network of peers and finance professionals and is adept at networking. Desirable Criteria Method of Equalities and Diversity Skills Commitment to the Council s Equal Opportunities and employment policy Ability to write clear and concise reports. Evidence of presenting findings to a range of audiences. Ability to Chair meetings and facilitate discussions. Is able to use tact, reasoning and diplomacy to influence the behaviour of senior colleagues and managers Ability to lead multi-discipline project teams successfully. Ability to think logically, evaluate, Ability to exercise objective judgement and make decisions as required within the parameters of the position. Assess situations, make appropriate decisions and respond to deadlines. Ability to prioritise own workload, interpret and analyse information. Written test/ Presentation/ Develop working relationships which demonstrates awareness of the needs and values of other Use structured systems to improve system and individual development needs Think beyond day to day operations and to develop a sense of vision and identify longer term possibilities within the organisation Written test/ Presentation/
Attributes Minimum Criteria Method of An understanding of Local Government. Desirable Criteria Method of Management, e.g. People, Finance and Skills Able both to see the big picture, and focus on specific elements Ability to lead and influence or persuade colleagues and partners of mission Ability to make an impact on service delivery Able to challenge and question the way things are done A team player Written test/ Presentation/ Any additional factors Able to attend meetings outside normal hours.