Job Description

• Oversees production of the three main pillars of the annual budget cycle (budget setting, budget monitoring and accounts closing) accurately, to timetable and with clear audit trails of workings, across capital and revenue for the division being supported.
• Manages Service Accountant and Accountancy Assistant posts supporting the same division and ensures the team is fit for purpose.
• Support the Head of Finance, Director of Finance, and senior management in the provision of relevant financial information
• Ensures the team provides high-quality and informed financial advice at all levels of operational decision-making, with budget holders being challenged on decisions where necessary.
• Quality assures key financial information that leaves the team, including budget setting, monitoring, and closing documents, Freedom of Information requests, statistical returns, and all other relevant items.
• Ensures the team provides a customer-focused service and builds strong working relationships, particularly with the division being supported, and more widely across the authority and with external stakeholders.
• To know and apply the relevant financial controls, and checks and balances in everyday working, considering the authority’s financial standing orders and scheme of delegation, wider legislation, and other relevant key documentation.
• Ability to work with senior managers to manage, manipulate and model service budgets, present alternative operational strategies and identify service savings.
• Provides financial support to major projects and change programmes.
• To write finance comments in committee reports and prepare briefing notes and other reports relevant to the services provided.
• Works towards continuous improvement by refining financial systems and processes where appropriate.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities