Accountancy Officer Location: Head Office: Mundells, Welwyn Garden City Salary Range: £39,809 - £42,971per Annum (DOE) Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week Contract: Permanent Reports to: Finance Manager PURPOSE OF THE JOB To support the delivery of effective and timely financial and accounting services to all stakeholders concerned with the operation of HCL’s services. The Accountancy Officer reports to the Finance Manager, and also supports the Finance Director and Principal Accountant on a number of integral finance business processes and tasks. MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY The role is responsible for administration of BACS processes to ensure timely payment of suppliers, this includes oversight of all Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable functions, including Customer Supplier management within the accounting software. Oversee debt management processes, in relation to trade debtors as well as financial administration of salary overpayments. To oversee core financial functions including bank reconciliations, control accounts and monthly reconciliations in relation to a range of processes. To support the process of billing and invoicing HCL’s school customers and supporting management of monthly cashflow. To focus on the needs of the other departments and contribute to the provision of timely and business focussed financial advice to HCL managers. Contribute to the four key financial processes of budgeting, monitoring, preparation of final accounts and medium-term financial forecasting. To promote best financial practice and compliance with the relevant accounting, statutory and financial regulations and procedures, including those for external reporting, medium term financial planning and the sound financial governance of Company funds. To contribute to the development of strategies, work programmes and business cases, to help ensure delivery of HCL’s financial objectives and strategies. To demonstrate in depth knowledge of HCL’s financial processes and procedures and to respond promptly to any emerging issues within allocated areas. To liaise and work closely with non-Finance colleagues across the Company to develop best practice and contribute to the overall delivery of HCL’s business plan. To facilitate the production of financial management information to meet the needs of managers and stakeholders and to make use of a wide range of information systems in order to closely support other HCL departments. To contribute to developing a partnership approach to working with other organisations, e.g. auditors, to enable HCL to manage its finances effectively and efficiently. To contribute to opportunities for service improvement and increased efficiency through the development, delivery and use of new technology. To communicate such change confidently, persuasively and authoritatively. To support the delivery of effective professional development, including training where appropriate, to ensure the Finance Team and colleagues in other teams have appropriate finance knowledge and understanding of the Company’s systems and processes. To contribute to the development of the team’s understanding and delivery of HCL’s ESG (Environmental, Social Governance) agenda. The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary. PERSON SPECIFICATION The postholder will need to hold AAT level 4 or equivalent. Good knowledge and understanding of accounting processes and rules, as well as being able to apply these to new situations or challenges as they arise. A keen eye for detail, as well as a problem-solving aptitude to combine available data and information from a range of sources to deliver a solution to a problem or task. A quick learner, able to understand the financial environment that the Company operates in and carry out their projects and tasks within this context, making appropriate decisions and recommendations. Ability to work well within a team both leading on some tasks, and supporting colleagues with others in order to build resilience. Ability to build effective relationships at all levels with both internal and external customers creating trust and confidence. Ability to interpret, apply and explain technical policies, procedures, guidance and legislation. Ability to analyse and propose workable solutions to problems and explain complex technical information (including financial risk) to internal and external customers, including the ability to influence, persuade and negotiate required outcomes. Ability to work effectively with ledger systems, MS Excel and other systems/IT tools to produce robust reports and effective working papers. Ability to develop and deliver training on technical matters ensuring clarity in presentation and delivery. Ability to provide innovative solutions, make recommendations (demonstrate awareness of wider implications), including challenging existing practice. Ability to work independently, as well the ability to work effectively as part of the team and with third party providers. Apply today
