Senior Finance Officer

Strategic Awareness

• Be aware of the strategic vision of the service that enables the council to meet its future challenges, actively supporting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

• Contribute towards the development and implementation of the Council’s financial strategy

• Identify financial risks and opportunities as and when they arise, inform finance managers and assistant finance managers and collectively consider options to mitigate risks or exploit opportunities.

• Continually review, update and escalate financial risks and opportunities to the Finance Manager and Assistant Finance Managers.

• Contribute to the creation of a digital culture within the service by embracing technology in every-day activities and actively seeking digital improvement opportunities in support of a service-wide digital strategy

 

Financial Management

• Support the efficient and effective provision of a comprehensive finance function, including all aspects of the annual estimates process, budget maintenance, monitoring, control and reporting and the yearend closing of accounts, in accordance with statutory requirements

• Promote a culture which empowers budget holders and supports the delivery of value for money services and knowledge of key cost drivers

• Prepare and present informative, high quality reports to stakeholders that aid in informed service and corporate decision making

• To process journals and compile supporting documentation required.

• To be responsible for assisting with the efficient and timely completion of specific tasks within the annual closing of accounts process

• To support effective liaison with external and internal audit, including the efficient filing and retention of documentation, maintaining appropriate audit trails for subsequent retrieval as and when required.

• To assist with the efficient and complete preparation of detailed revenue and capital expenditure and income budgets in conjunction with Finance Managers, including input to the wide range of service areas to meet corporate and departmental targets and

• objectives, in line with the Council’s policies and procedures.

• To support with the preparation, analysis and provision of accurate financial and management information to be included in statutory returns and reports, in line with statutory requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures.

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Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Provide support for the medium term financial planning process

• Develop appropriate financial models and analytics to determine financial impact of future service demands, changes in legislation and other factors affecting resource requirements

• Instigate, develop and support the attainment of alternative sources of funding that contribute towards identified funding gaps

 

Customer Focus

• To effectively liaise with the officers across the finance teams in relation to timely and accurate budget monitoring, control and reconciliation.

• Contribute to the delivery of a high performing, customer focused finance service that is proactive and creative, looking for ways to shape and influence service decisions and taking joint responsibility for the outcomes achieved

• Engage, communicate within the council, across partners and with the wider local and central government community towards a unified public service approach

 

Compliance

• Ensure that all activities within the service comply with the council’s constitution, Standing Orders, financial regulations, health and safety and safeguarding responsibilities and that effective systems operate within the service to manage performance and risk.

• Provide support to finance managers on the interpretation and implementation of legislative and regulatory requirements relating to the CIPFA codes of practice, Treasury Guidance, and relevant financial legislation

• Make a contribution towards the closure of accounts, support the external audit opinion and deliver appropriate financial returns

• Support an effective system of financial controls across the organisation with adequate review and coverage within the annual internal audit plan

 

Leadership and Management

• Lead and effectively motivate direct reports by providing coaching, mentoring, training, professional development opportunities, and appropriate performance management

• Develop credible and responsive trainees and finance officers who are respected for their knowledge base, expertise and customer focus

• Enable and encourage a flexible working environment

 

Additional duties at PO1

• Work closely with all stakeholders to ensure best use of limited financial resources, providing support where needed

• Act as a junior financial advisor and service delivery partner, providing financial support and constructive challenge through emerging negotiation and influencing skills 

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Additional duties at PO2

• To support the Finance Managers with the preparation of Corporate Management Board, Joint Board and Executive reports, in particular their financial implications and responses to Members’ enquiries in relation to all aspects of the finance function, as required by the Senior Finance Officer.

• To be responsible for acting on behalf of the Council, ensuring the provision of advice and guidance to all levels of staff, which is appropriate, accurate and timely, verbal and written, in relation to all aspects of the finance function, in accordance with the Council’s policies and procedures and to promote awareness of good financial practice and control.

• To support the review and update of all documentation, policies and procedures and compliance with statutory requirements, in line with professional standards and the Council’s policies and procedures.

• Proactively seek and contribute towards implementing internal process improvements

• Support opportunities for council-wide transformation and alternative service delivery models

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