Accounts Finance Officer in Colwyn Bay

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.

Duties and Responsibilities - Job Specific

• 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 assist 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 solve any administrative problems.
• Investigate and respond to numerous and detailed queries from schools, contractors, suppliers, finance department staff and staff from other departments regarding payments and charges made against school budgets.
• Maintenance of 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 an up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and current practice to ensure that 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.
• To work effectively as part of a Team and carry out such other duties as may be designated by the line manager commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Duties and Responsibilities - Corporate

• To be responsible for establishing good working relationships both internally and externally.
• Compliance with the Authority's Policies and Procedures and to make known to Senior Officers any areas which are not adequately covered.
• To participate actively in supporting the Authority's principles and practices of equality of opportunity as laid down within the Equalities Policy.
• To be responsible for the application of Health & Safety practices within the daily operations, sharing a common responsibility for Health & Safety across the department, directorate and Authority as a whole.

Employees will 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.

As a term of your employment and in order to maintain effective departmental operations, you may be required to undertake any other reasonable task, commensurate with your grade, as determined by your Line Manager or Head of Service.

Conwy is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable groups. All Council employees are expected to be aware of the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and their responsibility to report any concerns in the appropriate manner and timescales.

Requirements

• Association of Accounting Technicians qualification (equivalent or part qualified).
• Knowledge of local government accounting and financial procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to communicate through the medium of English.
• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh.
• 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.