Corporate Finance Business Partner

£47,820 - £52,920 per annum

To coordinate the annual closure of accounts process, involving partners and external organisations, so that the consolidated Statement of Accounts can be efficiently and effectively produced to meet statutory deadlines and required codes of practice.

To provide expert technical advice on complex local authority financial issues including the Collection Fund, local authority tax & VAT and MRP policy. To commission advice on Financial Instrument requirements, and the implications for the Council arising from the Prudential, Treasury Management, & Investment Codes either from the Council’s retained consultants (Link Asset Services) and/or the Council’s Treasury Management expert shared with LGSS Finance Integrated Services.

Working under the strategic direction of the Council’s Treasury Management expert, shared with LGSS Finance Integrated Services, to proactively forecast and advise on the Council’s short to longer term cash needs and its Capital Financing Requirement given its ambition to regenerate the city, further develop its own land holdings, build more houses, and increase its commercial income streams.

Working under the strategic direction of the Council’s Treasury Management expert, shared with LGSS Finance Integrated Services, to advise the CFO, Corporate Leadership Team and project teams on the costs, timings, and risks involved in undertaking external borrowing for various regeneration and investment schemes.

To oversee the day-to-day provision of financial services (book keeping, treasury management, budget monitoring) to the Council’s growing housing company.

To co-ordinate the annual closure process and production of the Statement of Accounts, including coordinating the Council’s response to the external audit process.

Working under the strategic direction of the Council’s Treasury Management expert, shared with LGSS Finance Integrated Services, to provide short and longer term strategic cash flow forecasts, advising the Chief Finance Officer and Corporate Leadership Team of the need, costs, timing and risks of any external borrowing required, the Capital Financing Requirement, and the prudent level of cash-backed funds to hold. To input into the Capital Strategy on such issues.

Working under the strategic direction of the Council’s Treasury Management expert, shared with LGSS Finance Integrated Services, to draft the annual Treasury Management Strategy and give advice on this at Corporate Leadership Team and with the Resources Cabinet Member. To draft the mid-year and annual Treasury Management reviews and attend Audit Committee to give an account of these reviews.

To lead on the day-to-day provision of treasury management and banking services for Norwich City Council always striving to maximise returns whilst maintaining security of funds and ensuring sufficient funds remain liquid to fund operational needs.

To provide technical financial expertise and support to the s151 officer and Norwich City Council on key projects including capital related investment and regeneration projects, projects within the transformation programme, and various lending arrangements to the Council’s companies (commissioning advice on the latter if needed).

To lead the provision of local government tax and VAT advice and support to the s151 officer and Norwich City Council (or arrange procurement of such where needed) and to oversee the production of the quarterly VAT returns and partial tax exemption calculation.

To oversee the provision of day-to-day financial services to the Council’s housing company (Norwich Regeneration Limited) – banking, investment, lending, and accounting services. (Note: the production of the company’s financial model, which underpins company decision making, will be undertaken by the Commercial Finance Business Partner and the post holder will need to work with the latter to provide a full financial service to the company).

Working with the Council’s Revenues and Benefits Service, to provide financial support and advice regarding the Collection Funds for council tax, business rates and the Business Improvement District and support the Strategic Finance Business Partner in the preparation of the Medium Term Financial Strategy for these income streams.

To lead, motivate and develop staff to ensure objectives are achieved and to enhance overall performance and morale.

As a member of the Finance Management Team, to contribute to the strategic and operational management of the LGSS Norwich team.

To carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of the job description.