Accountant

Role Purpose

The candidate would need to be a qualified accountant with experience of preparing the statement of accounts and strong ICT skills (ie Excel, SQL, Power BI) . The candidate will work alongside existing Senior Closing Accountant to clear the back log of audit queries and develop reports for our new finance system to aid closing down 2024/25. The role will also involve developing accounting practices, such as the consolidation of separate ledgers. DUTIES also include Solving Audit queries, Writing Microsoft Power BI reports, Developing accounting practices and policies.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and motivate a team of staff and oversee performance monitoring, recruitment and provide guidance ensuring team members receive performance feedback and advice, development opportunities and that a highly competent, creative and participative culture is maintained.

Provide expert advice to customers (departments and managers) who receive clear guidance and information and also ensure that activity is lawful.

Produce information reports and analyse complex data for customers so that customers receive accurate, up to date reports and data that fulfil statutory requirements

Set targets, monitor performance and review potential changes to systems to ensure services and/or projects are delivered successfully.

Work closely with suppliers and partners to negotiate and manage projects that meet business needs and service standards.

In consultation with customers identify and provide training and information sessions so understanding of the area of expertise is enhanced

Maintain high quality and consistent services to customers ensuring that agreed standards are achieved across a wide range of services and Service Level Agreements if present, are adhered to. Ownership is taken for responding to and/or resolving queries, complaints and requests from initial contact with the customer.

Review and resolve any issues relating to budgets, financial information and resources for your area of specialism so that agreed targets are met, reports are prepared and delivered, there is efficient use of resources, data is managed effectively and corrective action is taken when necessary and value for money is maximised.

You will oversee projects and work programmes, set targets, monitor performance and review potential changes to systems.

You will demonstrate knowledge of local government regulations and codes of practice and emerging developments.

You will be required to work flexibly and manage a complex workload.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. You will have significant operational experience within a large organisation, delivering similar services.
2. You will hold a relevant professional qualification or will have equivalent relevant professional experience.
3. You will be able to build positive relationships with organisational contacts and partner organisations.
4. You will have experience of managing and motivating staff to achieve organisational objectives.
5. You will be able to oversee projects and work programmes.
6. You will be able to show excellent verbal and written communication by being able to understand and explain complex information to technical and non-technical audiences at all levels.
7. You will have good interpersonal skills to communicate with managers and colleagues and to negotiate with and influence a range of audiences
8. You will have excellent numeracy and good analytical skills.
9. You will be able to work flexibly, cope with competing demands through good time management and work under pressure.
10. You will be able to deal with sensitive and contentious issues.

Requirements

Essential

Recognised CCAB qualification (preferably CIPFA), or Association of Accounting Technician qualified or will have equivalent relevant professional experience in local government, covering the key financial processes of financial planning, budget preparation, budget monitoring and preparing final accounts.

Experience of supervising a small team to effectively deliver a range of quality and cost effective financial management and financial support services.

Good project management skills to work and oversee projects as and when required.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Experience of undertaking analysis and appropriately communicating the results to the selected audience.

Well organised with excellent time management skills.

Excellent IT Skills.

Exemplifying values and behaviours.

Desirable

Knowledge of CIVICA Financials.

Hours

8.30am to 4.30pm

37 hours per week