Assistant Director of Finance in London

About the job

Purpose of Job: Support the Executive Director of Strategy & Resources in ensuring high quality financial administration and stewardship throughout the Council. As a member of the Finance Leadership Team, work with the S151 officer, wider leadership team, CMT, Members and senior officers to develop the vision and values for us and to be responsible for the delivery of that vision through sound financial management in the Council.

The responsibilities listed in this Job Description reflect the joint accountabilities of the Finance Leadership Team and will be shared between this post and that of the other Assistant Director Finance.

• Lead in the development and implementation of the Council's financial strategy, fundamentally ensuring sustainability over the medium term.
• Direct and lead a portfolio of services, ensuring the development of strategies, policies, targets and objectives that deliver Barnet's strategic, operational and financial requirements and meet all necessary regulatory and legislative requirements (including any assigned regulatory designations).
• The ongoing development and co-ordination of the corporate financial framework, including the medium term financial strategy, to enable the Council to prioritise and utilise its financial resources to the greatest effect and ensure activity and process comply with professional standards, Government regulations and legislation.
• Actively contribute to the formulation and implementation of the Council's strategies and objectives as a member of Barnet's leadership team.
• Work with Council Members, strategic directors, partner organisations and stakeholders to identify and address issues impacting on Council Services, residents and service users.
• Lead the organisation in producing the statement of accounts and gaining an unmodified audit opinion.
• Ensure the capability to change is enhanced and innovation is encouraged including in the design of service delivery through partnership and other relationships internally and externally.
• The delivery of a responsive service to provide financial advice and guidance to management teams and budget managers across the Council.
• Ensuring an effective Audit and Risk Management function, including internal controls, that ensures robust controls are in place to protect the Council's resources.

• Lead the Council's Budget Setting process in order to deliver accurate and timely intelligence to Members and Chief Officers.
• The delivery of robust and efficient financial systems, processes and policies in place supported by effective training and the provision of guidance to budget managers and system users.
• Closure of accounts and securing unmodified audit opinion.
• To support the Executive Director of Strategy & Resources in the discharge of the statutory responsibilities under Section 151 of the Local Government Act and Section 114 of the Local Government Finance Act relating to the administration of the financial affairs of the Authority.
• The delivery of an efficient and effective accountancy and treasury management services that enable financial resources to be accurately recorded, monitored, and controlled whilst maximising the benefits of reserves and ensuring the Council's cash flow is sufficient to meet all payments due.
• To ensure the delivery of the Statement of Accounts for the Council, Pension Fund, and any other entities within the required timescales without material error or misstatement.
• To monitor the Council's compliance with relevant legislation, statutory duties and Council policies and regulations.
• For services he or she is responsible for, to forecast income and expenditure.
• Liaise with internal and external audit to commission and respond to audit reviews and ensure that the action plans are implemented within agreed deadlines.
• Ensure value for money is achieved across the Council. Take ownership of and provide mitigating actions for any risks for the service.

• Lead in the development and implementation of the Council's financial strategy, fundamentally ensuring sustainability over the medium term.
• To work with Members and the Council Management Team to define the organisation's strategic plans and support their implementation through the strategic deployment of the Council's resources.
• To interpret, respond to and shape policy guidelines for the Finance service.
• To lead on the development of service plans and improvement plans for the area of responsibility ensuring they are conducive with the strategic direction of the authority.

• To ensure that outstanding customer service is being delivered on a day-to-day basis for all services within the remit of the role including any outsourced elements.
• Be responsible for self-assessing against key lines of enquiry in external financial inspection regimes and developing and monitoring improvement plans.

• To provide strong, visible leadership and professional oversight for finance functions across the organisation. Ensure a high-quality finance service, working within professional guidelines and standards.
• Conduct consultation and engagement sessions with senior officers, members, and the public as relevant to policy developments.

• Take responsibility for Health & Safety in the workplace, identifying, acting upon and where appropriate escalating any risks.

• To ensure that customer care is maintained to the agreed standards according to the council's values. To ensure that a high level of confidentiality is maintained in all aspects of work.

• Caring / Learning to Improve / Inclusive / Collaboration

• In order to deliver the service effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post-holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, will fall within the scope of the post, at the appropriate grade.

• To deliver the council's commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services. All staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the council delivers.

• Professional Membership/Qualification: Full member of CCAB body (preferably CIPFA) with significant post qualification experience. Educated to degree level or equivalent. Recognised management qualification.
• Experience & Knowledge: Significant senior strategic management experience, including translating organisational drivers into strategic objectives, longer term plans, new ways of working and specific outcomes, for a portfolio of services in a large public sector organisation (preferably local government). Extensive knowledge of the major issues facing local government. Extensive and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the national policy context, requirements, and future direction for relevant service areas. Proven track record of accountability for significant budgets and ensuring the delivery of services within agreed resources. Significant experience of creating, leading, and sustaining partnerships both internally and externally to achieve shared objectives and synergies. Experience in persuading a wide range of stakeholders to work together, encouraging an organisational focus on the needs of the community. Proven track record of operating strategically to identify, initiate and oversee corporate projects and policy development.