Financial & Project Accountant

Responsible to: Principal Accountant

Responsible for:

• Up to 4 Staff, subject to direction by the Principal Accountant or Finance Manager.
• Supporting the Principal Accountant in supporting budget managers and ensuring sound financial management in the E&C Directorate.
• Undertake financial support in relation special projects and programmes managed or supported within the E&C Directorate.
• Deputises for the Principal Accountant

Purpose of the job

• Supports the Principal Accountant to provide a comprehensive accountancy and financial management and advice service to the E&C Directorate.
• Provide financial support to special projects of a corporate or Directorate-based nature, managed or supported by the E&C Directorate. Provide specialist technical expertise in relation to project development, monitoring and financial control.
• Contribute to the provision of an efficient financial service which enhances service delivery in the E&C Directorate.
• Provide a day-to-day financial support service to managers in the E&C Directorate.
• Manage and supervise staff as directed by the Principal Accountant or Finance Manager.

Major duties and responsibilities:

• Provide advice to managers in the E&C Directorate, including the Corporare Director and Service Heads, in relation to financial management of the Directorate’s business.
• Ensure quality and probity in all work, and comply with externally and internally set standards.
• Develop and maintain systems to produce financial and management accounts and records in accordance with requirements.
• Liaise with financial and non-financial managers to prepare and monitor budgets and devise appropriate funding strategies.
• Undertake technical evaluations in relation to project and programme options to derive maximum benefit from available resources.
• Prepare and present reports to senior officers and Members, including Cabinet.
• Establish and maintain effective liaison with Directorate managers to facilitate the exercise of these duties.
• Research good practice and propose improvements to the existing processes of financial management in the E&C Directorate.
• Support discussions with the External Auditor on issues surrounding the audit and inspection of accounts and the use of financial resources. Support the implementation of audit recommendations.
• To represent the Principal Accountant and Finance Manager as necessary.
• Ensure that Financial Regulations and Standing Orders are adhered to in relation to all tasks carried out. Provide training and advice in Financial Regulations and procedures.
• Take part in multi-disciplinary working teams to manage projects and develop and implement new policy.
• Attend Cabinet, Committees and sub-Committees as required to give financial guidance and advice.
• Manage and supervise other staff within the team as directed by senior managers, undertaking staff development and training to meet the objectives of the team.

Job Activities

• In discussion with budget managers in the E&C Directorate, prepare estimates in accordance with instructions and timetables issued by the Director of Resources. Provide advice on funding of proposed spending.
• Provide timely reports to management to ensure budgetary control is maintained. Make recommendations for corrective action where necessary.
• Draft financial comments on Cabinet and Committee reports.
• Undertake technical analysis and financial modelling on options for special projects and programmes, enabling decisions to be taken as to their viability and financial targets to be set.
• Establish and maintain complex financial models to assist the delivery and monitoring of special projects and programmes.
• Analyse, monitor and report upon the impact of management initiatives on efficiency and value for money within the Directorate.
• Prepare grant and subsidy claims in accordance with deadlines. Pursue the receipt of grant income to ensure healthy cash flow.
• Provide and prepare information to ensure that the Council’s financial accounts are accurate and completed in accordance with statutory timetables and guidelines issued by the Director of Resources. Ensure that accurate working papers are available for inspection in accordance with guidance and timetables.
• Attend meetings involving all levels of management in the E&C Directorate to provide financial advice.
• Produce reports, statistics and other data as required.
• Act as a contact with the External Auditor, liaise and negotiate on points at issue from the accounts processes and recommendations made.
• Examine and analyse all relevant circulars, legislation and instructions received with a view to implementation and information sharing. Provide written or oral advice to Senior Management and Finance staff on issues and difficulties arising from implementation
• Manage or supervise other staff within the team as directed by senior managers. Assist senior managers in the recruitment of staff.
• Help to develop training programmes to raise the teams’ and other Directorate’s awareness of changes in legislation and working practices that will enable them to improve the standard of service offered by the section.

Additional duties and responsibilities:

• Ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the Council’s Health and Safety at Work policy.
• Participate in the Council’s performance management scheme, ensuring that performance standards and targets are ste and met within the agreed timescale.
• Comply with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and assist with its development and promotion within the section.
• As directed, the postholder will undertake additional duties and responsibilities that may arise from time to time commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of financial management in a large organisation.
• Experience of participating in the successful planning and coordination of complex projects or processes.
• Experience of advising and guiding non-specialist colleagues and non-financial managers in technical matters.
• Experience of writing clear, accessible reports for senior managers and members
• Experience of developing good practice in financial systems and processes.
• Experience in planning, managing and controlling complex workloads

Knowledge

• Ability to ensure proper accounting, control and reporting of the Council’s finances.
• Ability to ensure the effective coordination of processes and meet deadlines to a consistent standard of excellence.
• Strong computer skills. Ability to use financial systems and computers to extract, analyse and present data and to use computers to establish and maintain complex financial models.
• Ability to bring creative solutions to problems
• Able to establish positive working relationships, and work closely with elected Members, chief officers, external agencies, community groups and individuals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex financial issues to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to meet tight deadlines whilst working under pressure
• Able to respond positively to changing demands
• Able to appreciate the requirements of service managers, and lead others to respond accordingly
• Good interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills.

Attitude and Behaviour

• High standards of integrity
• Professional approach which commands confidence
• Innovative approach to problem solving
• Sets and achieves high standards for self and others

Qualifications

• CCAB Accounting qualification preferred.

Personal Circumstances

• Willingness to work outside the normal working hours during busy periods if necessary.
• A satisfactory attendance record (normally less than 5 days absence in a year) but taking into account individual circumstances.

Equal Opportunities

• Proven and demonstrable commitment to the principles and practice of equal opportunities in employment and service delivery