Job Switch Ltd | Accountant

To provide a lead, under the direction of the Group Accountant, in delivering a professional financial advice and support service to the Local Authority ensuring that service managers within Education, Children & Family Services are provided with timely and relevant financial data to facilitate management decisions. Key tasks/responsibilities To support the Group Accountant in the creation of the detailed budgets, taking the lead role in coordinating the budget preparation in respect of the Environment departments budgets, ensuring that the budgets are prepared accurately and in a timely manner according to the corporate timetable. To contribute to the bi-monthly budget monitoring of the Environment budgets, ensuring they are completed in accordance with the timetable and that the budget managers are given proper advice and assistance to complete the process. To support the Group Accountant in the annual closure of accounts process taking a lead role in coordinating and completing the closure, ensuring they are completed accurately and in a timely manner in accordance with Legislation and early closure requirements. To direct and supervise the work allocated to the section staff ensuring all deadlines are met and reviewing workflows to ensure working practices deliver in an efficient and effective manner. To provide professional support within the section including the financial evaluation of new legislation, regulations etc. therefore ensuring that the Department Budget Managers and accountancy staff are up to date on the latest legislation and regulations. To provide financial advice to responsible officers and budget managers including the attendance at working groups, members groups and service department management meetings. To assist Budget Managers in the calculation of financial performance indicators, therefore ensuring that Budget Managers have accurately calculated management information. To attend meetings, on behalf of the Group Accountant, and provide financial advice as and when required in the meetings. To annually review and where necessary provide appropriate budget training to responsible officers and budget managers, to ensure that officers understand their roles and responsibility as a budget manager and the function they need to undertake. To check that Committee reports for members properly reflect any financial implications. To lead on, compile and verify data of various periodic grant claims, and ensure completion of all relevant statistical and financial returns, therefore ensuring accurate claims and returns are produced in a timely manner. To undertake continuing professional development in areas relevant to the role; to set and review clear objectives for staff for whom you are responsible; and to agree relevant training requirements to assist in achieving continual improvement To undertake any other duties assigned by the Group Accountant. Full Membership to AAT or equivalent. Knowledge/experience of spreadsheets (preferably Excel) Ability to interpret and disseminate financial data Ability to assimilate complex information and develop financial models Ability to prepare reports Ability to see tasks through from start to finish within deadlines Highly detailed knowledge of financial and management accounting principles Mathematical ability Suitable experience in a financial environment, preparing accounting and financial information Experience of computer applications Excel spreadsheet package RQ1407022 Accountant Accountant Accountant Accountant Accountant Accountant JBRP1_UKTJ