OR108932 – Finance Accountancy Officer in Colwyn Bay

Pay

Pay: £14.36 per hour

Working Pattern

Expected minimum of 3 days office based, 2 days remote.

Job Title

Finance / Accountancy Officer

Department / Service

Corporate Finance (School Support)

Hours

37 hours

Location

Bodlondeb

Job Purpose

Provide a comprehensive range of financial support services to Headteachers and Governing Bodies and to be responsible to the Principal Accountant (Schools) in ensuring the effective delivery of the Service Level Agreements with schools.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and assistance to the Principal Accountant (Schools) in all aspects of the school finance service in accordance with the Service Level Agreement.


• Assist with the preparation of annual budgets for the Authority's Primary, Secondary and Special schools.


• Assist in the closure of accounts at the end of the financial year and in the production of final accounts.


• Assist in the preparation of financial projections to enable schools to maximise effectiveness in the utilisation of resources.


• Regularly visit schools to discuss and provide advice on all matters in relation to school budgets and assist with the interpretation of reports and solving administrative problems.


• Investigate and respond to detailed queries from schools, contractors, suppliers, finance department staff and staff from other departments regarding payments and charges made against school budgets.


• Maintain a financial reporting system on behalf of all the County's Primary schools including monthly reconciliation with the authority ledger and ensuring the effectiveness of the system and correctness of the information provided.


• Maintain current knowledge of relevant legislation and practice to ensure all transactions are recorded with an appropriate audit trail and that VAT regulations, Contract Standing Orders, Construction Industry Tax Regulations and Financial Regulations are adhered to.


• Provide support and assistance on all aspects of creditor payments including logging orders, compliance with Financial Regulations, VAT regulations, CITDS and other financial codes of practice.


• Work effectively as part of a team and carry out other duties as may be designated by the line manager commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.


• Establish good working relationships both internally and externally.


• Ensure compliance with the Authority's policies and procedures and report any inadequacies to senior officers.


• Support the Authority's principles and practices of equality of opportunity as laid down within the Equalities Policy.


• Apply health & safety practices within daily operations, sharing responsibility for health & safety across the department, directorate and Authority.


• Assist with safeguarding by being aware of the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and reporting concerns appropriately.

Essential Qualifications

• Association of Accounting Technicians qualification (equivalent or part qualified).


• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to communicate through the medium of English.


• Good accountancy/numeracy skills.


• Ability to plan, programme and produce work with minimal supervision and to work under pressure to achieve deadlines.


• Sound knowledge of computerised financial systems and a range of IT skills including spreadsheet and database preparation and maintenance.


• Ability to present and communicate appropriate financial information to headteachers and governing bodies.


• Ability to design and create systems utilising spreadsheets and databases.


• Ability to interpret various regulations/guidelines to provide relevant advice and guidance to headteachers and governing bodies on various budget issues.


• Ability to make decisions and recommendations regarding the affordability of projects or resources and day‑to‑day service delivery.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of local government accounting and financial procedures.


• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh.

Other Relevant Information

Employees may be required to give certain information relating to themselves in order that the Authority may properly carry out its duties, rights and obligations as an employer. The Authority will process and control such data principally for personnel, administrative and payroll purposes.

Retention and Variation

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. The Authority reserves the right, after appropriate consultation with you, to vary your duties and responsibilities within the parameters of your grade and occupational competence in order to respond to changes in the needs of the service.