Job description:
PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
Provide professional management accounting services adding value in the service delivery provided by the Resources department or the finance function in service departments.
This will include:
Providing expert analysis and advice, to aid the strategic decision-making process.
Providing high quality information and professional financial advice to budget holders and senior officers.
Budget monitoring and closing of both revenue and capital budgets
Contributing towards achievement of corporate and departmental goals in terms of good management practice, meeting financial targets and promoting the professional image of the finance function.
Deputising for the Senior Finance Manager as required.
The management of other staff delivering the finance function.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Provision of high-quality information and professional financial advice to the council and senior officers. This may include:
Interpreting and preparing briefing notes on new, current, and proposed legislation or relevant accounting issues.
Responding to requests for information from members, officers, other organisations and the public.
Preparing and providing input to government and other bodies’ statistical information requirements.
Providing training to staff as required.
Ensure the continuous improvement of the quality of financial monitoring and reporting, to enhance decision-making processes.
Advising on and devising ways in which financial management processes can be improved.
Ensuring revenue and capital budgets are in line with service objectives.
Ensuring income and expenditure is correctly accounted during the year.
End of year closing of the corporate cost centres in line with closing timetables
Timely and accurate monitoring of capital and revenue budgets and appropriate action taken of significant variances.
Responsible for ensuring compliance with the council’s overall regulatory framework.
Provide finance input for cabinet and other committee reports as required.
Provide professional finance input and advice on presentation of options for the allocation of resources, including savings requirements.
Evaluating and reporting on the effect of statutory, economic and political developments which impact on resource levels.
Participating in regular meetings of officer groups to discuss council-wide revenue and capital issues.
Contributing to the development of the council’s SAP and other financial information systems.
Liaison with external auditors on all appropriate issues
Promotion of timeliness, accuracy and clarity in all aspects of the council’s financial reporting and ensuring that departments meet financial targets, through monitoring and control of corporate or departmental budgets.
Monitoring and controlling of contractors delivering council services.
Reporting of suspected fraud and malpractice in line with the council’s Fraud Response Plan
Ensuring that good people management is built into normal working practice within the section.
Identification of training and development requirements of all staff (including self) within management control.
