Job Description

To assist with the delivery of a full range of financial management services, in order to meet both Directorate requirements and the Council's corporate financial requirements.

Responsibilities

• To assist with preparation of the revenue budget and capital programme, including fees and charges, budgets for grant and other external funding, within approved deadlines.
• To assist with the preparation of year-end final accounts in accordance with all relevant guidance and statutory requirements, and to liaise with the Council's external auditors.
• Ensure that appropriate budgetary control and monitoring systems are in place, in accordance with the Council's Constitution and Financial Regulations, and that approved financial procedures are operated.
• Provision of regular monitoring reports in respect of all revenue, capital, and externally funded expenditure to the Council's Management Team, Members and Budget Managers, including the provision of Councilwide financial data and analysis when required.
• To assist with the prompt completion of all grant claims, ensuring proper accounting arrangements are in place for grant-funded expenditure, all available grants are maximised, and to liaise with the Council's external auditors.
• Provision and collation of information to internal and external auditors. Information to be provided in a timely manner in accordance with agreed timelines
• To assist with maintenance of the Agresso general ledger, including daily reconciliations of feeder systems.
• To assist with completion of financial returns, statistical returns, performance indicators, and unit cost analyses required by Council, Government Departments and other external bodies, in accordance with the relevant deadlines.
• To provide advice on the preparation of financial reports to senior officers and/or member boards, in order to enable effective management decisions to be taken both for initial budget setting and subsequent in-year monitoring.
• To undertake benchmarking work, compare council costs and income to other authorities and services.
• To attend and contribute to departmental and inter-authority working groups as required.
• To liaise with Government Departments, other Councils, and other external bodies and agencies, as required.
• To undertake special projects and any other duties that may be assigned commensurate with the responsibility of the post.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians. Proven experience in a public sector accountancy environment. Knowledge of public sector accounting. Knowledge of Local Government funding and how Councils are resourced. Demonstrate an awareness of the key stages of the annual Local Government finance cycle Part-qualified CCAB accountant or equivalent. Experience of working in a local government finance environment. Understanding of local government accounting requirements. Understanding of accounting requirements for grant and other external funding.