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Finance Officers

£28,163 - £30,060 per annum

Overall Job Purpose:

To play an effective role within the Finance Department within four core financial pillars contributing to and  helping that we provide a professional, technical and innovative financial function that is operated and effectively meets the needs of the Council and its services, while operating under the financial governance framework, polices and procedures. The four pillars being:

  • Transactional Finance & Systems

  • Business Planning & Performance Management

  • Statutory & Technical Financial Accounting / Internal Audit

  • Insurance, Risk and Procurement

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Key Areas of Focus:

1.  To assist with key elements as required:

  • Reconciliations (VAT, payroll, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, CIL)

  • Maintain elements of the Financial Accounting Systems

  • Allocate cash received and cash paid out

  • Prepare, reconcile, check and post system journals

  • Budget setting and monitoring

  • Attend Finance meetings with other non finance service areas

  • Financial reconciliations

  • Preparation of Financial Statements / Close down of accounts

  • Compliance monitoring and data collection for Insurance, Risk and Procurement

  • Completion of government and other statistical returns

 

2.  Ability to understand, follow and adhere to the Council's Constitution, Financial Governance Framework and all Policies and Procedures within as well as in accordance with Delegation of Authorities while carrying out the duties of the role.

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3.  To work within the Behaviour and Competency framework set out below while working as part of a wider finance team with a customer led approach with the customer being Arun District council and appropriate external stakeholders.

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4.  To contribute and adhere to the financial calendar for week, month, quarter and year end activities that feed into budget setting, closedown, audit and statutory accounts.

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5.  To actively participate in accordance with HR guidance, policy and procedures Valuing Individual Performance (ViP) reviews, direct objectives and deliverables for immediate reports where relevant with development and training where appropriate and applicable to own VIP.

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6.  The post holder has several responsibilities to ensure consolidated management and reporting of resources including a combined spend budget of circa £100m (£50m General Fund, £30m Capex, £20m HRA), covering a Workforce of 400+ employees, 50+members, 23 wards, Population of circa 160,000 with multiple internal / external stakeholders.

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7.  Other appropriate duties as required that are relevant to a functioning Finance department or to Deputise as Senior Business Partners or Head of Business Planning & Performance Management as appropriate.

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Specific Post Information

Additional Information (non contractual)

1.  Responsible for staff. No.

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2.  Responsible for budgets. No.

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3.  Service delivery; The postholder is expected to work to service delivery standards set by others. 

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Role Requirements

The following outlines the criteria for this post. Applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed to assess if they meet the criteria for the role. (E) = Essential, (D) = Desirable, (Y) = Yes, (N) = No.

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Professional Qualifications​

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  • English and Maths GCSE or equivalent (E)

  • Management qualification (D)

  • Accountancy qualification (D)

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Experience

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  • An analytical approach to financial data processing and ability to work accurately to deadlines. (E)

  • Experience of transactional processing & input, monitoring and managing financial accounts, Insurance, Risk and Procurement in a Non Profit or Public Sector environment. (D)

  • Experience of communicating financial information to internal customers. (E)

  • Proficient use of Financial Management Systems and Microsoft products. (E)

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Knowledge

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  • Knowledge of Financial Polices and Processes. (E)

  • Understanding of the Financial Calendar. (E)

  • Strong character and negotiation skills to ensure managers and partners remain within budgets. (E)        

  • A detailed knowledge of the financial climate and funding regime under which local authorities operate. (D)

  • Ability to give advice and guidance to trainee accountants. (E)

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Behaviours

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  • Accepts responsibility for their own actions, behaviours, performance and decisions and is transparent about this. Acknowledges when things go wrong and learns from this. (E)

  • Responds to challenges and change with an open mind, shifting priorities and re-focusing. (E)

  • Gives the speaker their full attention, genuinely listening, and tries to see things from their perspective. (E)

  • Displays values which contribute to a shared focus, exhibits high level of effort and commitment, is motivated to achieve, and demonstrates responsible behaviour. (E)

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Competencies

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  • Working together to achieve a shared goal. Builds effective relationships with internal and external customers. (E)

  • Able to communicate clearly, appropriately and respectfully with colleagues and customers. (E)

  • Able to separate information, prioritising this and referring to policies and procedures before making decisions. (E)

  • Able to make fair and logical decisions using policies/procedures and available evidence, and be clear in the rationale. (E)

  • Takes pride in and is committed to delivering high quality services. Identifies and clarifies individual needs. (E)

  • Works to develop self-awareness, empathy, and an understanding of stress management and others emotions, to help build rapport, support collaboration and diffuse difficult situations. (E)

  • Understands what needs to be done and accomplishes it proactively and with minimal supervision. (E)

  • Has an understanding of Arun’s Vision, general functions, and the political environment in which we work. (E)

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Other

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  • Does this role require a Basic/Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check? (Y)

  • Will the post holder be required to take card payments via MOTO. (If yes – needs basic DBS). (Y)

  • Is this a Politically restricted post? (N)

  • Does this role require any out of hours/ weekend/ evening/ rota work? (N)

  • Does this role require a driver’s license and access to a vehicle? (N)

  • Does this role attract an essential car user allowance? (N)

  • Does this role attract a market supplement? (N)

  • Does this role require a uniform? (N)

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