Financial Services Manager

£55,597 - £73,220 per annum

Job description

Job title: Financial Services Manager (Deputy S151 Officer)

Directorate: Resources

Unit: Finance & Business Services

Grade: 3

Responsible to: Head of Finance & Business Services (S151 Officer)

Responsible for: Direct reports x 4 FTE & Indirect reports x 10 FTE

Structure Charts - Financial services.jpg

Structure Charts - Finance and Business services.jpg

Main purpose of the job

This role has been designated as deputy to the Council’s Section 151 Officer and as the nominated officer under S114 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, the postholder is required to support the S151 Officer, and to deputise in their absence, in carrying out their statutory duty under the Act.
To provide expert technical financial advice and support at all levels across the Council and to support the Head of Finance and Business Services (HoFBS) in providing high quality strategic financial advice and support to Members and senior officers, researching, advising and reporting on all aspects of financial strategy and policy at operational and strategic levels.
To be responsible for the efficient and effective operational management, service delivery and quality provision of all financial services for the Council including financial strategy and medium term financial planning, management accounting, financial reporting and financial systems and control.
The day to day management of the financial services team.
Overall responsibility for the Financial Information Systems (FIS) ensuring that integrity and adequate controls are maintained at all times and to oversee the improvement and development of the FIS ensuring that full functionality is utilised and maximum efficiencies are delivered.
To work closely with the HoFBS to ensure the operational development of the finance and business services department and to undertake specific projects as designated.

Main duties

Strategic management

To support the S151 Officer (HoFBS), and to deputise in their absence, in carrying out their statutory responsibilities under the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
To work closely with the HoFBS on strategic policy in relation to the financial management of the Council's affairs, including development of Financial Procedures, Financial Strategy, Medium Term Financial Planning and delivery of a balanced budget.
Make positive and proactive contributions to the development of corporate policies and strategies across the Council.
Support corporate change and continuous improvement initiatives, finding innovative, affordable and sustainable solutions to improve the Council’s performance and develop the organisation.
Engage with and build positive relationships with internal and external customers and other stakeholders to ensure that their views and requirements are fully considered.

Managerial duties

Direct, lead and motivate the finance team to deliver a pro-active, professional service that is responsive to customers’ needs and operational service delivery ensuring that all the work is completed accurately and in a timely manner. This includes full managerial responsibility for staff including selection, training, development, performance management and the setting of SMART objectives.
To work closely with the HoFBS in ensuring the strategic development of the finance service and to lead on initiatives to improve the procedures and allocation of duties to meet the changing needs of customers.
To deputise for the HoFBS in their absence and take decisions as required across the Finance and Business Services department.

Financial services duties

To provide expert professional advice and solutions in an intelligible and timely fashion to elected members, senior officers, regulators and other stakeholders that inform and support decision making and to ensure that the effective use of the Council's financial resources is achieved at all times.
To provide strategic and operational financial support, advice and challenge across all service areas, ensuring that financial procedures and strategy are adhered to and to support the development of new financial strategies that will contribute towards the long-term financial success of the Council.
To manage the annual budget process including managing the budget timetable and the preparation of reports, presentations and all related financial data ensuring that all budgetary information is updated and prepared in the appropriate format in a timely manner for presentation to senior officers and Members.
To manage the day to day management accounts (revenue and capital) and ensure the regular monitoring, forecasting and reporting of performance against budget.
To manage the preparation of the Council’s Annual Statement of Accounts including Group Accounts and the Collection Fund in a structured and timely manner ensuring that the statements are accurate and signed off by the statutory deadlines. Present the financial statements to the Audit Committee for their approval and work closely with the Council’s external auditors supporting them in all aspects of their audit and governance work.
To have operational responsibility for the Treasury Management function, ensuring all controls and procedures are being followed and safeguarding the Council’s investments. Assisting the HoFBS with the development and implementation of new treasury management strategies and procedures.
Ensure that the finance operation fully complies at all times with relevant legislation, central and local government requirements and HBC policies, including health and safety, and equal opportunities.
To oversee and monitor the day to day operation, maintenance and integrity of the Council’s financial systems and records and ensure all feeder system / sub ledger / general ledger reconciliations are completed in a timely manner, and that all audit processes and internal controls are followed.
To oversee and monitor the following financial services: Payroll (including PAYE, National Insurance & LGPS Accounts) Purchase and Sales Ledger. General Ledger, Insurance, Risk Management (within the remit of the unit), Banking and VAT, ensuring, in all cases that services are provided in a timely and efficient manner.
To work closely with the Revenues and Benefits Manager and external consultants in relation to the collection of local tax revenues, providing support and advice for budgeting, monitoring and year end including statutory returns (Council Tax (QRC) and Business Rates (NNDR) and explore ways to innovatively achieve maximum income for the Council.
To manage the development and delivery of all finance and business intelligence information from the finance service, ensuring it remains robust and fit for purpose for all internal and external customers for example FOI requests and data transparency, and all key stakeholders such as the external auditors and government departments.
To take the lead on major projects as directed by the HoFBS including financial project options appraisal and supporting service managers to produce robust business plans. To provide professional and technical advice and assistance on all procurement tendering exercises ensuring that appropriate financial appraisals and due diligence is carried out on behalf of the Council.
Attend Committees, Working Groups, Panel Meetings, Inter-Authority Meetings and meetings with private sector organisations as required and as directed by, and on behalf of, the HoFBS.
To liaise with the Council’s Internal Auditors and support them in their role in auditing financial controls, systems and processes.
Ensure Risk Management is in place, including effective evaluation, monitoring, review, mitigation and reporting on risks relevant within Finance and Business Services.
To liaise with the shared Anti-Fraud service and be the Council’s main contact in respect of Fraud.

This list of duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the postholder may be requested to perform other duties commensurate with their grade and capabilities.

This list of duties will be reviewed with the postholder on a regular basis. The postholder will be kept fully aware of emerging changes in requirements and will be expected to be flexible in their approach to work reflecting the Council’s requirement to work in partnership across the organisation.

Person specification

Key

Essential (E), Desirable (D), Documentary Evidence (DE), Interview (I)

Qualifications & training

Qualified Accountant (CCAB Qualified incl. CIMA). (E, DE)

Experience

Relevant post qualification experience. (E, DE)
In depth experience of all aspects of Financial and Management accounting and financial control, preferably (but not essential) Local Authority Finance, with the application thereof in an increasingly changing business and commercial environment. (E, DE)

Knowledge

Working knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and knowledge of The Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the UK (The Code). (E, I)
Sound knowledge of financial systems, legislation, strategy and management within an organisation. (E,I)
Knowledge of health and safety requirements and ability to ensure that these are complied with in the group. (D, I)
Understanding of the financial resources and information requirements of Senior Management and Members. (E,I)

Competences

Customer Focus

Able to effectively liaise with customers, colleagues, outside bodies and Councillors, in writing, by telephone and face to face. (E,I)
Able to deal tactfully with customers and to deal with complex issues in a sensitive manner and maintain confidentiality. (E,I)

Outcome Driven

Assesses and handles risk effectively. (E,I)
Able to prioritise and meet statutory, organisational and customer driven deadlines. (E,I)

Organisational Focus

Ability to work collegiately and corporately with colleagues, outward looking and willing to work across organisational boundaries to get the right results for customers. (E,I)

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Demonstrates initiative and uses good judgment. (E,I)
Able to identify potential problems, find solutions, deliver system improvements and implement change effectively. (E,I)

Change & Adaptability

Takes a positive attitude towards and promotes change within the organisation. (E,I)
Able to lead change programmes, managing colleagues and external bodies to ensure minimal disruption to service delivery while delivering maximum outcome.

Skills and abilities

Communication

Excellent interpersonal skills and communicator with the ability to maintain effective relationships with colleagues, customers, outside bodies and Councillors and external stakeholders at all levels. (E,I)
Excellent written and oral communicator with proven experience in report writing. (E,I)
Able to present information to members and officers at all levels, including those without an accountancy background. (E,I)

Management

Experience of managing staff and an ability to promote professional development. (E,I)
A significant level of practical management experience. (D,I)
Service planning and project management experience. (D,I)
Ability to manage organisational change in the group, within the framework of corporate strategy. (E,I)
Able to demonstrate excellent time management in a high demand / busy environment. (E,I)

Team Working

Able to build effective, supportive working relationships. (E,I)
Demonstrates a flexible approach to work. (E,I)
Contributes positively within a team environment and assists other team members. (E,I)

Quality of Work

Strives to produce work of a high quality which demonstrates accuracy, and with a good attention to detail. (E,I)

IT/Technical Skills

High degree of computer knowledge and experience. Able to learn new technologies and techniques. (E,I)
High degree of Financial Systems knowledge, its role and impact within an organisation. (E,I)

Research & Analytical Skills

Able to investigate and research accounting and other legislation required for the role in order to maintain own knowledge and that of others. (E,I)
Able to analyse and research information on topics outside previous experience and apply within the organisation. (E,I)
Able to analyse and present complex information to others in an easy to understand manner. (E,I)

Other requirements

Willingness to work outside normal office hours when required to ensure deadlines are met and a high quality service delivered. (E,I)
Driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes. (D,I)
Represent the Finance Service at committee, senior management and other internal meetings. (E,I)
Willingness to attend external user groups and other off site meetings relating to the role. (E,I)
Ability to implement equal opportunities in employment and service delivery. (E,I)

Complexity and creativity

The role is wide ranging and effects many services at operation level as well as strategically. The postholder will need to be sensitive to the requirements of all customers, senior management, as well the political and reputation impact of their decisions and actions on the Council.

The postholder must have a full knowledge of the financial regulations including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), The Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the UK (The Code), the Accounts and Audit Regulations (England) 2011, and must keep up to date with changes in all of these areas.

They are responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations, ensuring all reporting requirements are met and if necessary preventing Budget Holders from taking action which is contrary to any or all of these.

The postholder must have an understanding of the wide range of accounting requirements of all the Council’s units in line with legislation and local regulations in order to work in any area either on projects or deputising for the HoFBS (S151 Officer). They will be responsible for advising senior management and members on most aspects of new legislation affecting Local Government Finance.

The postholder is required to understand a wide range of finance functions in both management and technical role, in relation to all services within the Authority.

The postholder will need to be creative in increasing the worth of the Financial Information System further by adaptation and modifications to ensure the continued improvement in efficiencies and value for money. They will have to offer advice on system implementation with regard to all financial applications.

They must have the ability to understand clients needs and to provide the solutions, by innovation if necessary to satisfy requirements. The postholder needs to form close working relationships with the senior managers. The postholder shall work with other services and contribute to projects (including those complex and outside existing level of experience) and other working groups, and as such their advice and influence will impact services across the Council as well as a strategic level.

Judgement and decisions

The postholder is responsible for the effective overall control of the Council's financial services function. They must maintain an awareness of the revenue implications of capital financing. Advise, as required, senior staff in other units on Local Government Finance, Best Value Accounting Code of Practice and all other matters relating to finance. Errors in decision making could have a significantly detrimental impact on the Council and services to the public and possibly affect all Units or the Council's long term future.

The postholder will need to make day to day decisions regarding spending for the finance and unit without reference to a higher authority. They will require good powers of persuasion and the ability to prepare reasoned arguments both written and verbal.

The postholder will be providing specialist technical accounting advice to Council Members, Chief Officers and Heads of Service. The quality of the advice has a significant impact on the results of the organisation and is crucial to the financial stability of the Council and may impact on the publicity of the Council.

Contacts

Internal:

Chief Officers
Service Heads
Middle Managers
Officers at all levels
Members
Internal Audit

External:

External Auditor
Other Local Authorities, including Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire Chief Financial Officers
HM Revenues and Customs
Financial Consultants
External Counsel / Legal Advisors
CIPFA
Government Departments
General Public
Media