Principal Accountant (Capital) | Hillingdon

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Home > Roles Recruiting > Principal Capital Accountant

Principal Capital Accountant

£43,590 - £52,482 per annum

Role Purpose

Preparation of the Councils Statutory Financial Accounts, leading on asset accounting, capital financing, capital reserves and ensuring the implications of investment decisions are understood and captured in the Medium Term Financial Forecast (MTFF).

Provide high quality financial advice to operational finance teams and service directorates to ensure technical compliance with accounting regulations and enable delivery of robust financial management.

The post holder will be required to translate complex financial data to non- financial stakeholders and challenge financial decisions and financing options, as well as liaise with external partners in understanding technical transactions and decisions.

Key areas of work will include responsibility for the finance fixed asset register, property valuation process, leading on production of capital accounts, being the primary audit contact for capital, budget management responsibility for Treasury investments and borrowing for the Council and management of the Senior Accountant - VAT.

Ensure a culture of putting our resident's first and continuous service improvement is maintained.

People Management

Direct management of Senior Accountant - VAT

To support the development and training of AAT qualification progression of apprentice’s and senior accountant’s in the team

Support the development and performance of senior accountants, trainees and apprentice’s within the team in line with the Council’s HR policies

Support the training and development of staff across the Council with financial responsibility with impact on technical and asset accounting treatment and changes.

To undertake additional and specific management responsibilities within the team as directed by the Head of Service.

Customer Management

Work closely with Senior Management within the Directorate, to ensure that they are fully informed of the financial position and risks to the Council.

To communicate the closing programme to all accountants and to work closely with them to ensure they have the capacity to deliver closing requirements on time.

To support the development of effective external working relationships with treasury advisors, external audit and other appropriate public and private bodies to ensure the service has the knowledge and expertise to continuously improve its financial performance.

To support services in correct treatment of VAT across the Council

Provide support to accountants for implications of strategic decisions in relation to capital programme activity or service provision with VAT implications and manage the response.

Take the lead on developing and maintaining external relationships as directed by the Head of Service.

Operational Service Delivery

To work alongside the Senior Management of the service to provide a full accounting and strategic treasury management service in accordance with the Council’s policies, allocation and statutory requirements.

To ensure all asset implications are identified from an accounting perspective, managing the data quality of the finance fixed asset register for accurate reporting and accounting treatment for the Council’s statutory accounts. Data capture and knowledge of all asset change of use, classification, appropriation, additions, disposals, enhancements, leasing and technical accounting entries.

Support the valuation process to ensure asset valuation are completed in compliance with accounting standards and regulations

Develop and maintain cross-departmental asset change and lease recognition communication and processes to ensure complete and consistent records across the Council.

Support the development of capital finance monitoring within the Collaborative Planning system for efficient monitoring of future cash flows and revenue impacts from capital decisions.

Support the Councils production of VAT returns and service identification of correct VAT treatment across the Council.

Carry out project work as directed by the Head of Pensions, Treasury and Statutory Accounts to ensure technical accounting advice and strategic analysis is considered to aid decision making.

Ensure that officers and Members are provided with high quality financial advice and direction on technical accounting matters, policy, standards and practices, to enable fully informed decision making, with knowledge of the impact of decisions financially on the Council.

Support the production of strategic and medium term financial planning information in relation to capital financing decisions and impacts and investment income budgets.

To support the Finance directorate management team, in ensuring Financial Standing Orders and all other financial policies and procedures are complied with across the Council as agreed by the Corporate Director of Finance. Key to the role will be working with a variety of stakeholders including elected Members, senior management teams and all accountants.

To review of complex and high level treasury and technical accounting financial issues arising from strategic decisions within the Council

To represent Senior Finance Officers as the finance expert at both internal and external forums as directed

Lead production of all Capital Financing Requirement reporting monitoring and analysis including budget management where appropriate.

Model and advise on strategic decisions as to duration and timing of new borrowing for the Council and implications for the MTFF

Lead the property valuation processes for both GF and HRA assets. Key point of contact for the external valuer including setting instructions for the year and primary point of contact for external auditors. Challenging methodology and results from the external experts to reduce risk of error in the Councils annual financial statements.

Service Planning & Development

In conjunction with Senior Management ensure that all Team Plans, aligned to the Directorate/Service plan are developed, agreed and communicated to team members in a timely manner.

Support the development of the annual closing timetable, ensuring training plans are developed to support the timetable to cover all new legislative requirements and developments needs from previous audits.

To formulate and develop plans and budgets for particular areas of the team and input into the workforce planning process.

Financial & Resource Management

To enforce high standards of statutory accounting specifically in relation to accounting for assets and capital financing to meet the Council’s statutory and professional requirements.

To monitor cash management models and implications of Capital programme across the Council on cash flow and treasury management decisions and develop new processes and relevant training as required.

Assist with the management of the Councils debt portfolio and debt restructuring or appropriation opportunities.

Represent the Section 151 Officer, in ensuring the proper administration of financial affairs across the Council including compliance with professional standards, statutory responsibilities, and Financial Regulations/Standing Orders.

To ensure all purchasing and procurement is conducted in line with the corporate guidelines with appropriate use of the Council’s financial systems.

To ensure that all workforce expenditure is compliant with corporate guidance and that any temporary resource is purchased through the Council’s agency contracts.

To identify and report financial risk within the service.

To demonstrate cost consciousness and identify any cost effective changes to ways of working and challenge other officers.

Lead finance representative on procurement of external valuers for both the GF and HRA contracts ensuring the quality of service meets the CIPFA code of practice taking into account audit risks.

Lead on procurement for finance fixed asset register contract replacement/renewal

Challenge approach to VAT across services and provide technical support as required by senior management on new projects or service change to ensure VAT recovery maximisation.

Manage risk to MTFF budget gap by modelling and assessing different borrowing strategies for the capital programme within the remits of the Prudential code and liquidity requirements of the Council.

Lead on production of the various capital strategies as reported to Cabinet and full Council annually.

Take personal responsibility for specific technical accounting areas as directed by the Head of Service.

Continuous Improvement

To support the development and improvement of financial systems across the Council to ensure they are fit for purpose, link with the corporate financial systems, meet statutory requirements and financial regulations.

Assist in the development and implementation of improvement initiatives and change programmes using the Council’s Project Management and Service Improvement methodologies.

Continually question processes and practices to ensure optimal service delivery and benchmark against identified good practice across the public sector

Continually review treasury management implications and opportunities, legislative changes and cash flow monitoring to identify efficiencies and succinct working across the Council’s management of cash flow, financing opportunities and investments.

Take responsibility for transformation and change projects that cross cut the service as directed by the Head of Service.

Contacts

Primary contact will be with other officers within the Council and those with responsibility for asset management and capital projects. The post holder will be expected to attend senior management meetings, committees and other stakeholder forums as directed or to deputise for the Head of Pensions, Treasury and Statutory Accounts.

Liaison with the Council’s appointed external auditors during the annual audit and planning stages.

Liaison, support and challenge with the Council’s appointed external valuers

To develop and promote internal and external partnerships that reflect the Council’s commitment to work in active partnership with the community, so that coherent and value-for-money services are provided.

Be the contact for the Council’s treasury management services

Liaise with the Council VAT advisory service

To be aware of and assist in managing effective cross-directorate working relationships, while maintaining professional integrity and without compromising good financial and accounting practice.

Attend member briefings committees and other forums internal or external to represent finance on specific issues within the service as required.

Additional Responsibilities

Complete other reasonable tasks in order to fulfil role purpose or as required by management.

Key Performance Indicators

Delivery of agreed Team Plans.

Production of clean, unqualified accounts with a minimal amount of external audit recommendations/adjusted errors.

Prudential indicators

Any other role specific KPI's as agreed

Treasury benchmarking

Delivery of agreed PADA objectives

Person Specification

Key:

E - Essential, D - Desirable

Qualifications:

Part/Fully CCAB qualified Accountant (E)

Educated to degree level or equivalent (D)

Evidence of post qualification development (D)

Statuary / role specific requirements:

Ability to work flexibly including occasional evening Committee meetings as required (E)

Experience:

Post qualification experience working in a local authority accounting team (D)

Demonstrable understanding of local government finance (E)

Demonstrable understanding of equal opportunities in employment and service delivery within a large and complex organisation (E)

Evidence of a clear understanding of the legal, financial and political context of management within a local authority (E)

Evidence of developing financial strategies and project work in a corporate finance setting and across service boundaries (D)

Experience of working across the full range of the accountancy function (D)

Experience in a management role in a multi-disciplinary organisation (D)

An understanding of working in a political environment (D)

Knowledge and skills:

Proven analytical skills and ability to clearly present financial information. (E)

Ability to effectively utilise IT packages, including Microsoft software spreadsheets and word processing packages. (E)

Strong organisational and time management skills, proven track record in meeting tight deadlines. (E)

Sound understanding of accounting principles and practices and the financial issues affecting local authorities. (E)

Ability to provide constructive challenge and to exert influence (E)

Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and good networking skills to work across the organisation. (E)

A high degree of Political acumen and sensitivity to local political issues (D)

Ability to contribute effectively in a large complex organisation with plans for transformational change and improvement. (D)

Competencies:

“Can do” positive attitude - Demonstrates a commitment to changing work practices and processes, and a willingness to try new ways of working or thinking. (E)

Takes responsibility and delivers results - Adapts to changing demands to ensure that objectives are met, overcoming problems and making well considered decisions. (E)

Team working - Acts as a role model to others in the team, sharing knowledge and experience when necessary, whilst respecting and valuing the contribution other team members’ experiences can bring. (E)

Communication - Demonstrates well developed written and verbal communication skills; and the confidence to present reports and verbal accounts credibly to a variety of different audiences. (E)

Customer Care - Develops contacts and relationships with customer/ client groups, regularly reviewing service delivery and taking responsibility to ensure quality service provision. (E)

Takes ownership of personal development - Takes action to develop own and others' capability and knowledge by promoting and supporting developmental opportunities to improve performance. (E)

Credibility - Gives clear and consistent direction on business strategies and objectives, involving others whilst retaining corporate accountability. (E)

Leads and inspires others - Values the contribution of others and fosters a culture of respect, encourages constructive, open feedback and innovative thinking. (E)

Strategic thinker - Understand and examine the wider public sector business environment, contributing to new business strategies and identifying and managing risk. (E)

Decision maker - Willing to make difficult decisions and remain accountable for those decisions and takes personal responsibility for communicating these. (E)

Management - Ensures effective business delivery through influencing and motivating others, providing direction, promoting a culture of high performance and an environment of dignity and respect. (E)

Passion to make a difference - Strives to improve outcomes for customers, identifying efficiencies and smarter ways of working, and encouraging creative input from others- so that solutions developed are practical, fit for purpose and implemented appropriately. (D)

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