Senior Management Accountant

£41,217 - £49,644 per annum

Main purpose of the job:

The post-holder’s primary activities are:

to assist with an integrated approach to strategic financial planning that supports the delivery and outcomes within the context of the Councils corporate plan and financial constraints.
to assist with the provision of an effective Business Partnering function
to support an integrated approach to the closure of accounts process.
to provide high quality and consistent financial advice, to support effective decision making.

The post must work effectively with Finance and other colleagues to help develop a strategic and workable response to the financial challenges the councils face.

Assisting the Head of Strategy, Treasury and Pensions, Chief Accountant and Head of Finance Business Partner with the full range of financial planning and financial advice services as appropriate.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

To contribute towards the Council’s financial planning function to deliver a comprehensive, high quality, cost effective and timely service.
To liaise widely and effectively to ensure that relevant issues are taken into account in developing plans and budgets and that the sums included are appropriate.
To provide financial advice and support to Members, directors and other managers on all issues requiring financial support.
To review reports, policies, procedures and other proposals for financial issues and make amendments as required.
To analyse and advise on proposals for spending, savings or other service and corporate initiatives.
To have oversight of budget monitoring (capital and revenue) in service departments, including developing financial data analytics where appropriate and challenge where necessary.
To support service managers in appropriately risk assessed spending and income areas to understand and address key financial management issues and cost drivers and budget management.
To provide support to Budget Managers during budget preparation, monthly monitoring, year-end and closure of accounts
To contribute to developing complex forecasting and modelling tools in liaison with service managers and to support corporate and strategic decision making
To support senior managers in developing and implementing strategies to manage budget variances and achieve MTFS savings
To complete or support as appropriate, the completion of relevant complex grant and statistical returns, including guidance on accounting and audit arrangements
To assist in the closure of accounts process having regard to corporate timescales and appropriate quality standards
To continually improve levels of customer service, and recommend and implement ways to further improve efficiency and effectiveness of processes and procedures.
To contribute to the development of self-service by training and supporting service managers and developing self service infrastructure.
To participate in the development, review and dissemination of finance policies and procedures to the councils.
Ensure that senior managers, directors, members and other stakeholders receive correct and consistent financial advice on the interpretation of financial frameworks, policies and procedures.
To lead, manage and motivate staff through excellent communication, professional guidance, support and development in accordance with the council’s policies and procedures.

Additional Level Two Criteria:

Contribute to the critical review of policy options and proposals to be considered during budget development and the MTFS cycle.
Undertake complex budget modelling, sensitivity analysis and scenario testing as part of the development of the budget strategy, and other corporate and strategic initiatives.
To work with Business Partners to produce robust financial and commercial analysis as required including for business cases
To take a lead role in the preparation of complex tasks within the closedown programme requiring a high level of technical expertise.
To develop, review and disseminate financial control policies and procedures and complex corporate accounting activities as appropriate.
To liaise with internal and external audit and review and implement relevant audit recommendations.
To take a lead role in the analysis and financial interpretation of appropriate Government announcements and determinations.
Provide expert advice and guidance to senior management, members and wider stakeholders in relation to complex financial matters
To develop, review and disseminate finance policies and procedures to the councils.
To establish and maintain contacts with potential partner local authorities, government departments, professional advisors and consultants.
To carryout research into the financial implications of potential developments, funding streams or business operations; from a wide range of sources.
Plans and co-ordinates a wide range of activities required to meet service objectives within and across finance teams.

Resources:

Job Activities:

Example outcomes or objectives that this role will deliver:

Quantifying financial pressures and savings to the necessary degree for their inclusion in financial plans and budgets.
Financial implications sections in reports e.g. member decision/committee reports
Completed sections of revenue budget and capital programme within cash limit and the requested time frame.
Achievement of specified parts of closure of accounts within specified timescales.

Person Specification

Key: essential (E), desirable (D), interview (I), application form (A)

Education & Formal Training

Part Qualified/Commenced studying towards a CCAB or Equivalent Relevant Finance Qualification or AAT qualified (E, A)
Qualified CCAB Accountant or Equivalent Accountancy Qualification (D, A)
Participation in Continuing Professional Development (E, A)

Relevant Technical Experience & Knowledge

Accounting and budgetary experience and an understanding of accounting principles and standards, statutory requirements and relevant codes of practice. (E, A, I)
Knowledge and understanding of financial planning, management and financial framework in a large organisation – preferably local government. (E, A, I)
Good communication influencing and presentation skills and a pro-active approach to work, including identifying and resolving problems/issues. (E, A, I)
Staff management experience (E, A, I)

Skills & Abilities

Ability to interpret financial data/information, apply logic and Judgement (E, A, I)

Ability to work in a pressured environment with conflicting demands (E, A, I)
Ability to work effectively within a team (E, A, I)
Ability to fully utilise standard Microsoft Office products (E, A, I)

Other Additional Requirements

To deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post at the appropriate grade.
Work in an agile way in line with a paperless and flexible work environment.
Commitment to maintain professional and ethical standards

Applicants will be assessed against these criteria and the following high performance indicators throughout the recruitment process.

High Performance Indicators

Innovation

Behaviours for staff:

I respond flexibly and adapt to changing demands
I am prepared to take managed risks to achieve better outcomes
I ask ‘What if…? to develop fresh thinking and innovative approaches to generate and implement solutions to improve performance and challenge the status quo

Behaviours for managers:

routinely look for innovative and cost-effective ways to improve performance and customer service
I champion change and deal successfully with ambiguity, enabling people to see positive and exciting possibilities for the future
I take calculated risks based on available evidence and my professional judgement to learn and try new things

Leadership

Behaviours for staff:

I demonstrate a clear sense of purpose and direction, in line with organisational objectives
I am willing to take difficult decisions
My personal actions promote a positive image of Bexley

Behaviours for managers:

I take responsibility for my service and for making things happen to make a difference to my service users
I create an environment where staff can thrive and show I value and trust staff, give praise and recognise good work
I inspire, lead and encourage staff to move forward

Collaboration

Behaviours for staff:

show respect for others and value contributions from internal and external partners and customers
I recognise the right solution, regardless of who initiated it
I seek out and work with partners who can help me achieve the outcomes and objectives I need to deliver

Behaviours for managers:

I encourage the feeling that the team is a collective unit with shared goals
I engage with service partners and other areas of the Bexley organisation to understand the demands on others and seek solutions as One Council
I network internally and externally

Listening and Responding

Behaviours for staff:

I acknowledge other people’s viewpoints and work with them to find a win-win solution
I prepare and present information anticipating questions and problems
I adapt my style to the audience and their needs, using the most appropriate communication channels

Behaviours for managers:

I seek regular service user feedback and review customer data to shape service improvements
I ask staff for ideas on how to improve our service and how I can improve as a manager, listen to them and act on them
I empower staff to make decisions and changes to improve value for money, customer service and productivity

Open and Accessible

Behaviours for staff:

I see issues from the customer / user perspective
I monitor customer feedback and level of satisfaction with the service they receive, and use this to improve and pre-empt customer needs
I seek to build and maintain positive relationships with customers and partners

Behaviours for managers:

I am accessible to my service users, customers, staff and Members
I communicate and share a clear vision for the bigger picture as well as specific service areas
I outline what is expected of individuals and their contribution to the whole, and am consistent in my expectations

Impact

Behaviours for staff:

I prioritise my activities and resources to focus on those which have the most impact for residents
I take responsibility for making things happen and achieving my objectives
I make decisions and clear recommendations based on my professional opinion and experience, informed by a range of information and evidence

Behaviours for managers:

I design services that provide value for money and deliver our outcomes, informed by evidence
I produce, prioritise and adapt plans to meet changing requirements
I set interim goals to achieve notable wins on the way to larger objectives
I deal with poor performance

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