Statutory & Technical Accounting Manager

£51,802 - £57,950 per annum

Overall Job Purpose

To provide an effective financial service to meet the professional and corporate requirements of the Council and in particular to lead on the management of the annual final accounts closedown project resulting in the production of the audited "accountability statements" (that is, the statement of accounts, the annual governance statement and the narrative statement).

To maintain an effective financial governance framework ensuring that the Council complies with Local Government Finance legislation, the CIPFA Accounting Code of Practice and professional monitoring/compliance requirements.

Key Areas of Focus:

1. Stakeholder relationships and management including Deputise and support for S151 where relevant including Committee and agenda preparation meetings, production of Financial committee reports and ensuring financial review of all relevant authority reports is managed while acting as a Business partner to Group heads and Directors. External relations to be maintained with Government departments, Auditors, internal & External, Insurers, banking and other relevant parts of the Financial suppliers network whilst ensuring all government returns are submitted on time with accuracy.

2. To provide expert, technical, commercial financial advice to members, corporate leadership team and officers at all levels to enable sound decision making to be made on matters of financial governance and propriety.

To ensure that all relevant reporting is completed including reports to committees, completion of government returns, preparation of policies in respect of anti-fraud, anti-money laundering and the accountability statements.

To monitor the effectiveness of existing financial governance/financial prevention policies and identify deficiencies to report to senior management and members to agree on improvement responses.

To ensure that the Council's constitution complies with local government accounting legislation and current financial accounting standards relevant to the Council and reflects any changes made to the law/practice.

3. Ability to lead and aid decision making while adhering to the Council's Constitution, Financial Governance Framework and all policies and procedures within as well as in accordance with the Delegation of Authority. Able to make decisions in own right and to respond when dealing with queries from external auditors, questions from Audit & Governance Committee and senior management on matters of financial accounting and governance.

4. To act as the lead officer with the accounts closedown prices and to direct the wider finance team on the tasks within the closedown timetable, working with the team's managers.

5. To communicate effectively at all levels including being able to brief Council members, deal with public enquiries and with external/internal auditors.

To be able to foster and promote a positive team environment with finance colleagues and reports. to ensure that all relevant reporting is completed including financial reports to Committees and completion of finance officer comments in reports.

To manage the departments Valuing Individual Performance (ViP) reviews, direct objectives and deliverables for immediate reports with development and training where appropriate and applicable to own VIP.

6. Other appropriate duties as required that are relevant to a functioning Finance department or to support the DS151 Officer ensuring the delivery of a busy finance function with 50 budget holders and multiple reporting stakeholders, including public published reporting.

7. Other appropriate duties as required that are relevant to a functioning Finance department or to Deputise as S151 Officer.

Additional Information (non contractual)

1. Local government knowledge will be required although not a pre-requisite and can be developed.

2. The postholder is expected to contribute to the improvement of service delivery standards.

Role Requirements

The following outlines thes 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.

Professional Qualifications

A qualified accountant with full membership of a UK chartered accountancy body qualification as specified in the Local Government Finance Act 1988. (E)
Qualified CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) (D)

Experience

Up to date technical knowledge of local government Finance and Accounting standards. (E)
An experienced finance leader with strong financial and commercial skills. (E)
Successful track record of establishing a corporate and service performance culture, through good forward planning, demonstrating a desire to continually improve standards and performance. (E)
Experience of financial management and budget planning, including setting and managing the budget for a service group. (E)

Knowledge

An analytical approach to financial issues and the ability to make clearly reasoned conclusions and recommendations. (E)
Excellent communications skills and the ability to explain complex financial issues in a tactful and diplomatic way that can be readily understood by others. (E)
Strong character and negotiation skills to ensure Council wide compliance with Financial Framework. (E)
A detailed knowledge of the financial technical climate and funding regime under which local authorities operate. (E)

Behaviours

Leads by example, taking ownership of outcomes within their responsibility. Views mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow, and as a catalyst to improve, sharing learning with others. (E)
Can react quickly to changing strategies or ideas. Promotes and facilitates change easily. Is able to navigate staff through periods of uncertainty with positivity. (E)
Identifies, designs and develops innovative programmes of work and processes for the department. Is responsible for or actively contributes to departmental strategies and continuous improvement. (E)
Champions a supportive work environment, being available and listening with an open mind, demonstrating empathy. (E)

Competencies

Able to communicate to all levels, often relating to contentious and complicated matters, respectfully and appropriately.
Considers different perspectives, importance and relevance of information, and Council needs, objectives and procedures in balance with risks, costs and benefits when making decisions and solving problems with strategic overview.
Analyses a variety of information from different perspectives using evidence rather than assumption to back up decision making.
Understands the general functions of the council and the impact of decisions on other areas, with an in-depth knowledge of departments frequently worked with. Can demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of working in a political environment.
Ensures all team members are clear about their roles, responsibilities, objectives and levels of performance required, challenging and confronting poor performance
A proactive strategic thinker who is able to lead a team or department to achieve goals and objectives by minimilising conflict and inspiring, influencing and encouraging others.
Displays Arun’s values and behaviours consistently, developing a network of contacts and initiating partnerships for collaboration.
Actively promotes discussions around departmental impact on wider council initiatives.

Other

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). (N)
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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