School Finance Officer - REQ05483 - 458438 in Flemington

To enable officers to discharge their financial management duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council’s approved Financial Regulations, the Finance and Technology Service aims to ensure that Council Services are provided with the necessary financial support and advice in a targeted, value-added, risk-based, and appropriate manner. A key objective of the Finance and Technology Service is to support Council Services in delivering on the priorities and shared ambition of North Lanarkshire.

Working within the Finance and Technology Service of the Council, as a key officer within the management structure of the Education & Families Finance Team, you will be a confident, enthusiastic, and self-motivated individual who exhibits a positive and professional disposition. Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and management of a team of Assistant Accountant (Schools), you will be the lead finance officer concerning the preparation and monitoring of school-based budgets, as well as having the responsibility of reporting the financial position of aligned educational establishments in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations, Scheme of Delegation, and Devolved School Management (DSM) Scheme.

Additionally, aligned to the line management responsibilities of the role, you will be required to display initiative and work well and collaboratively within a team environment, ensuring that the necessary mechanisms are in place to deliver effective outcomes, as well as developing the skills and expertise of individuals and contributing to the enhancement of workplace practices.

As part of your remit, you will also provide targeted financial guidance, information, advice, training, and support to Head Teachers / Heads of Establishment, as well as other senior leaders and headquarters staff. This includes providing the necessary financial advice and support concerning the monitoring of devolved school-based budgets; ensuring the adequate implementation of Council policies and procedures; and ensuring that the proper application of accounting and finance best practice and regulations is demonstrated to enable evidenced-based and informed budgetary decisions.

Accordingly, suitable candidates must have either an HNC in Accounting, or Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) Level 2 qualification (Certificate in Accounting – SCQF Level 6), or equivalent, relevant qualification. In addition, suitable candidates will also require a minimum of two years practical experience within an accounting and finance environment; experience of financial ledger / accounting systems coupled with demonstrating other pertinent ICT knowledge and transferable skills; and be able to evidence analytical, numeracy, communication, and interpersonal skills. Additionally, given the role is situated within an accounting and finance environment, candidates must also have the ability to organise their work effectively to meet deadlines.

You will be joining a dynamic and flexible team within Finance and Technology who currently operate a hybrid model of home-working and office-based work at the Civic Centre offices in Motherwell. You will require to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member through Disclosure Scotland and obtain a satisfactory membership check prior to commencing in this role.

Working Pattern: Monday - Thursday: 08:45am - 16:45pm Friday: 08:45am - 16:15pm

If you’re considering a career with us, you’ll be keen to know what’s in it for you. We have a great package of benefits available, from health and wellbeing to finances and family. This includes 27 days annual leave and 6 public holidays, and a wide range of benefits available to you. We also have a full package of learning and development through our learning academy LearnNL to help you reach your full potential and further your career.

North Lanarkshire Council are Happy to Talk Flexible Working, we operate a Smarter Working Policy. North Lanarkshire Council has reached its current allocation of Certificates of Sponsorship and, as a result, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time. We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who consider themselves to be disabled, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

We have also adopted the Armed Forces Community Covenant to show our support for service personnel, veterans and their families. We offer a guaranteed interview for service leavers, spouses, reservists and veterans, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to Keeping The Promise. This means that if you have ever been in care, you are entitled to a guaranteed interview for this post, as long as you meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

The Plan for North Lanarkshire is to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit. The Council recognises that work is an important part of adult life and is critical to our wellbeing and shaping how we live.

To find out more about the application process, please request an alternative Application Pack in other formats if needed. Please note we do not accept CVs in place of the application form. To be considered for this vacancy you must ensure an application form is submitted. Any CV submissions will be disregarded.