Senior Finance Officer

Thrive Oldham are recruiting for a Senior Finance Officer in the Rochdale area, 37 hours per week, in the Finance Support Services / Corporate Finance. A Casual car user allowance is payable, Possibility of evening and weekend work.

Financial Management experience within a large organisation, experience of supervising / managing staff.

Able to attend evening and weekend meetings as required and embrace agile working

Hold AAT qualification or equivalent or relevant work experience.

Senior Finance Officer Systems

Overview – duties

Supporting the Systems Senior Accountant and Head of Corporate Finance to provide financial and system support including:

-Supporting the development, testing and delivery of processes for all systems supported by the Systems Team;

-Ensuring that the delivery of core functions are achieved through automation and streamlining of processes whilst maximising the use of the available resources;

-Ensuring that staff within Finance Services and other Directorates of the Council are suitably trained and equipped to fulfil their financial responsibilities through training, support and advice;

-Provide robust, reliable business reporting in a user-friendly format which meets the needs of the business.

-Owning the configuration, maintenance, support and continuous improvement of our Finance System in line with our objectives.

Purpose – Objectives

A key responsibility of the role is to ensure the underlying financial systems are in place to support the delivery of accurate and robust financial information to support the Council\’s statutory and business critical financial functions (including Budget Setting, Budget Monitoring and Closure of Accounts).

The role includes developing the Council\’s Systems to meet the evolving needs of the Council, ensuring robust reconciliations are in place to ensure the accuracy of the Councils financial ledger.

This is the ideal role for a finance professional seeking a new and varied challenge and will provide valuable experience in systems based finance activities within the public sector.

Purpose and Objectives of the Job.

To be an integral member of the Finance Service supporting the execution of statutory and business critical finance functions.

To take responsibility for the delivery of accurate and robust financial information to support the Council\’s statutory and business critical financial functions, including Budget Setting, Budget Monitoring, Closure of Accounts and input into key Service and Council wide developments.

To ensure the administration and control arrangements are implemented to ensure the Council\’s financial systems are effective and robust.

To support effective, informed decision making within the Council assisting with scrutiny/review of financial information and provision of support to Services around this issue.

To manage and develop resources including financial and staffing necessary to deliver the Council and Service objectives, policies and procedures appropriate to the post.

To ensure staff within Finance Services and other Services of the Council are suitably trained and equipped to fulfil their financial responsibilities through training, support and advice.

To actively contribute to the development of Finance Services to ensure Value for Money in all that we do.

To act as ambassador for the Council and Service at all times and develop and maintain effective and professional relationships within the service and with other services/partners to raise the profile of Finance Services.

To ensure the delivery of core process are achieved through automation and streamlining of processes maximising the use of the available resources.

Personnel

To be responsible for leading, managing and motivating of self and of staff within the structure of Finance Services for whom the postholder has responsibility, both as individuals and as members of the service.

Financial

To manage any financial resources delegated to the postholder by the Finance Manager or Senior Accountant in accordance with the financial regulations of the Council.

Equipment/Materials

To ensure effective use and security of financial systems relevant to the post including software and ICT equipment.

To ensure the efficient and effective use of premises, furniture, equipment and consumable goods used in relation to the work of the postholder and any staff under their control.

Data and Information Security

Responsible for management and security of data for areas of responsibility

Equality and Diversity

To work in accordance with the Council\’s Policy relating to the promotion of equality and diversity.

Training and Development

The postholder will be responsible for the identification and undertaking of the training and development requirements for self and direct reportees in accordance with the Council\’s Employee Development Scheme.

The postholder will assist in the development and delivery of training and development to budget managers.

Responsibilities:

The postholder must:

• Support the Director with S151 responsibilities with the implementation of the requirements of such responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post.

• Manage, support and develop the staff resources delegated to the postholder in accordance with the Council\’s policies and procedures.

• Perform his / her duties in accordance with Rochdale MBC\’s Policies including the Equality and Diversity Policy.

• Ensure that Rochdale Council\’s commitment to public service orientation and care of our customers is provided.

• Maintain up to date knowledge of technical standards and principles appropriate to the post.

• Maintain up to date knowledge of Council policies and procedures.

• Act as ambassador for the Council and Service at all times.

Principal Duties

Strategic

To assist the Senior Accountant to ensure delivery of an efficient and effective Finance Service.

To contribute to the preparation of annual team service plan and delivery of the areas of the agreed plan allocated to the postholder.

To contribute and lead from a finance perspective on the delivery of specific service and/or corporate initiatives, developments and projects as required commensurate with the grade of the post.

Management and customer relations

To be responsible for the day-to-day management of direct reportees, including communication, motivation, performance management, employee development and training, recruitment and induction.

To identify and manage risk relating to the postholder\’s responsibilities and to utilise a risk based approach in relation to the completion of tasks.

Develop and sustain effective and appropriate relationships to facilitate staff and client satisfaction and achieve the objectives of Finance Services.

To take responsibility for cross service areas which support the effective management of the Service as a whole.

Technical

To provide advice on financial and associated regulatory matters to the high risk areas within a service spend.

To manage advice and financial support provided to those areas of spend considered to be low to medium risk.

To assist with the maintenance of financial procedure rules and regulations and advise on compliance with the same.

To plan, direct, control and monitor activities carried out by self and direct reportees to meet the plan.

To develop and maintain guidance and

the development and delivery of training appropriate to the needs of stakeholders to support them and enable them to meet their financial responsibilities.

To design and analyse complex spreadsheets, be able to use advanced functions within excel to ensure the efficient and effect delivery of financial information.

To interrogate the Council\’s general ledger system to ensure the appropriate support/information is provided/used for delivery of the finance functions.

To support effective, informed decision making within the Council assisting with the scrutiny/review of financial information and provision of support to Services around this issue to develop options within the Council\’s Corporate Financial Framework

To be responsible for (for postholder\’s areas of responsibility and commensurate with the grade of the post ) the delivery of the following Council processes in accordance with strict statutory deadlines and to provide appropriate advice and guidance in respect of:

Preparation of/ consultation on revenue and capital budgets

Revenue and Capital budget monitoring and reporting

Completion and submission of corporate financial and statistical returns, grant claims etc

Preparation and completion of the annual statement of accounts,

To attend meetings with key stakeholders appropriate to postholder\’s areas of responsibility and grade, provide in writing and orally financial information tailored to the audience\’s needs.

To develop, maintain the security of financial and operational systems appropriate to the postholders area of responsibility.

To contribute to working groups and governance groups relevant to the postholder\’s area of responsibility as required.

To provide information to the External Auditor and other Financial and Regulatory institutions in accordance with tight deadlines relevant to the postholder\’s area of responsibility.

Deputise for the Senior Accountant as appropriate.

To undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the Head of Service (or nominated representative) in consultation with the postholder (and if he/she so wishes, with his/her Trade Union representative).

INDOLD

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