Job Title: Management Accountant
Department: Environment & Communities
Section or Service: Finance Management - Business Partnering
Responsible to: Business Partner
Grade: HMGN201
Job Purpose
Work to cover a range of financial and management accounting, reconciliation and reporting responsibilities in assigned area of Business Partnering.
Description of duties
To provide financial management information, advice and accounting support to designated service areas within the Business Group, including the co-ordination of the quarterly Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring report, and promoting the use of financial systems. Environmental Health, Culture, Planning and Waste are examples of service areas that may be designated to this post.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
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To co-ordinate the Budget Monitoring report for services within the remit of this role by setting up spreadsheets and tables to enhance financial monitoring and reporting and co-ordinating responses on forecasts and performance statistics by agreed deadlines.
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Responsible for the provision of appropriate, accurate and timely budgetary control information to budget holders, including salaries monitoring and forecasting. Providing this service in accordance with agreed standards and targets.
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Provide the full financial support function for designated service areas, including preparing estimates, closing tasks, and ad hoc financial advice. Providing this service in accordance with set standards and within deadlines.
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Monitor all financial procedures to ensure financial regulations are being observed by officers within designated services. To report instances of non-compliance, errors, omissions or inadequacies in procedures to managers and suggest solutions.
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Co-ordinate, monitor and review Efficiency/Value for Money statements details and any subsequent central government initiative to assess efficiency of the services.
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Responsible for monitoring and reconciling financial information as required.
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Provide advice and guidance to officers in the Business Group on the best use of financial systems to support financial management across the organisation.
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Document, review and improve systems and work methods. Contribute to a policy of continuous improvement. Record and co-ordinate appropriate information on performance measures.
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To be responsible for the efficient input of transactions processed through the online accounting system, ensuring that all payments and income are made and recorded in accordance with financial regulations and delegated authority.
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To identify mispostings and correct them using appropriate use of journals, virements and accruals, in accordance with accounting standards.
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To maintain accurate and thorough working papers and work with internal and external auditors as required.
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To deal efficiently with complex enquiries from creditors, debtors, council officers and partner organisations in relation to financial transactions providing a high standard of customer service to both internal and external customers.
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To provide advice and support to council officers with regards to financial administration.
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To provide general financial support to the rest of the finance team as required, including assisting in the delivery of special projects, where applicable.
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To support accountants in the maintenance of financial systems, procedures and controls to ensure financial data is recorded in accordance with accounting best practice.
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To comply with information rights legislation and the Council’s data quality standards when inputting, accessing and sharing information.
All staff are expected to carry out their job in compliance with the Councils Constitution. This means being familiar with the policies and procedures relevant to the job and asking for information and advice if you are unsure of the correct course of action. The Council’s Constitution is published on the Internet.
The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job profile are indicative of the role, however, they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change. In addition, you will be required to undertake other reasonable duties as directed by your manager.
Person Specification
Conditions to Note
Candidates:
When completing your application form, please address your answers directly to each of the selection criteria below. This enables the panel to assess your ability to meet each criterion. It’s essential that you give at least one example of your ability to meet each of the 4 Values and Behaviours: Productive, Ambitious, Collaborative and Enterprising.
Recruiting Managers:
The following values and behaviours are essential criteria in each post and must be addressed directly by candidates. The Guidance Notes on values and behaviours for managers give example questions to probe candidates in the interview and application stages of the recruitment process.
Values & Behaviours:
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has identified 4 key behaviours and values which should be demonstrated by all council employees. Successful candidates will show the ability to meet these behaviours. Candidates applying for managerial/leadership roles should also demonstrate two additional leadership behaviours.
Equal Opportunities
Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Council policies in relation to Equal Opportunity, Customer Care and service delivery, and the ability to implement these policies in the workplace.
Qualifications
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AAT part qualified OR equivalent experience
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Evidence of continuing professional development
Knowledge, Experience and Attitude
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Shows a good understanding of local government finance;
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Able to apply accounting principles and work in accordance with relevant rules and procedures;
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Experience of undertaking work on key financial processes;
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Is aware of and complies with standards of financial control and can explain financial control issues and related responsibilities to other members of staff;
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Evidence of working as part of a team and contributing to problem-solving;
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Can identify issues and resolve queries and resolve technical issues with limited assistance;
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Can apply complex technical rules where instructed, and is aware of change;
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Detailed experience of independently using financial functions such as the General Ledger and effectively using Microsoft packages such as Word and Excel in a work environment;
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Provides data for reports in a clear, understandable and appropriate format for use;
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Able to manipulate complex data to demonstrate trends and correlations. Able to produce notes on technical issues to add the report writer;
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Can extract and manipulate complex financial information to demonstrate trends / correlations.
Our values & behaviours
Putting Communities First
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We put local people at the heart of decision making in everything we do.
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We seek to include and involve: all voices matter.
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We provide quality services that are responsive, effective and efficient.
The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour:
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I actively involve and include the communities that I serve in my work.
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I shall reflect the views of the communities in my daily work.
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I shall improve the service I provide through seeking feedback from others.
Our residents will feel that:
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I have been included
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I can see how my views have been taken into account
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I can see improvements and developments based on my input
Respect
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We listen to everyone and value the personal experiences of people in our communities and of each other.
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We adopt a fair, and involving approach regardless of any way in which an individual is different to us.
The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour:
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I adapt my approach to take account of all differences and cultures in the community and with colleagues.
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I ensure I am equitable and fair by including those who are quiet or may not be able to represent themselves.
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I communicate in a way that is respectful, encourages involvement and meets people’s needs.
Our residents will feel that:
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I feel my culture and background are respected.
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I have confidence that action is being taken.
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I feel I am being treated fairly.
Integrity
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We act with openness, honesty, compassion, responsibility and humility.
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We let people know what we are doing and communicate why and how decisions have been made.
The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour:
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I demonstrate empathy in my interactions with others.
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I am honest and transparent about the decisions I take.
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I follow through on the actions I say I will take and take ownership for communicating the outcome.
Our residents will feel that:
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I am told when something is not possible and the reasons why are explained to me.
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I feel my perspective is listened to and understood.
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I feel my views are valued
Working Together
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We work together and in partnership with everyone that has an impact on the lives of our residents.
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We want to understand, learn from each other and continually adapt.
The following examples are indicators of effective behaviour:
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I work with others to provide an effective service for residents, local communities and other departments within the Council.
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I seek ways to work with other departments to deliver a seamless service and find opportunities to improve.
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I seek out opportunities to learn from my colleagues and build on good practice.
Our residents will feel that:
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I can get my issue resolved without being passed around departments.
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I find it easy to access the services that I need.
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I feel the Council is open to new ideas.
