Public Sector - Management Accountant

Job Role: Management Accountant Hours: 37 per week / 09:00 - 17:30 Monday - Friday Contract: Temporary approx 3 months (may be extended) Main purpose of job The post holder will report to the Principal Accountant and represent them and the section as required, within the post holders own sphere of responsibility. The post holder will be allocated to one of the following business units: Revenue and Projects Capital Accounting Personal and professional development will also be facilitated across all areas. The post holder will be responsible to the Principal Accountant for: Assisting in the councils processes of budgetary control, and challenge, and the provision of comprehensive, accurate and timely financial management information. Recording, monitor and report on capital income and expenditure including asset valuation and the preparation of capital accounting schedules and notes for the statutory final accounts. Assisting in developing a finance strategy including a medium term financial plan. Contributing to the corporate management of the service and council through the maintenance of partnerships with senior officers, project teams and consultative groups as necessary. Reviewing new developments in all fields relevant to the services responsibilities and to make recommendations to the Principal Accountant. Development and provision of accurate, timely and relevant financial management information and the development of appropriate reporting systems in conjunction with relevant internal partners. Summary of responsibilities and personal duties Revenue and Projects Assist the Principal Accountant in co-ordinating the process for the annual setting of revenue and capital budgets, in liaison with client departments to ensure compliance with high level guidance. Provide accurate and timely budget monitoring information to the Principal Accountant to facilitate corporate financial management. Provide accurate, timely and relevant management information and advice on technical accounting issues to departmental senior management and user departments ensuring that the councils corporate financial systems meet the needs of the departments and the organisation. Meet business support managers and officers regularly to consider performance against budget, review budget risks, and forecast current year out turn. Work in conjunction with other officers to ensure that the councils corporate financial systems meet the needs of departmental users. Consult with customers with regard to financial training requirements to ensure the provision of appropriate end-user training. Support and advise departments in the presentation of financial data in publications and reports such as the corporate plan and annual report and in the compilation of statutory performance indicators, and ensure that their practices and procedures confirm to appropriate legislation and the financial regulations of the council. Capital Accounting Responsible to the Principal Accountant for maintaining an accurate record of the councils fixed assets, including asset valuation, and the preparation of capital accounting schedules and notes for final accounts. Assist in the review of the councils financial systems to meet changes in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and regulations. Continually monitor, review and update capital accounting policies and regulations under the direction of the Principal Accountant as required Liaise with the Systems Accounting Officer to assist end-users develop and meet their financial management information requirements. General Prepare such returns as may be required, including but not exclusive to, DoE public expenditure survey, capital monitoring returns and Freedom of Information requests. Keep under review new developments in all fields relevant to the services responsibilities and to make recommendations to the Principal Accountant, relevant senior managers or committees as appropriate. Contribute technical financial knowledge to formal meetings and working groups as appropriate. Contribute to the effective delivery of business plans, any quality initiatives for the section and department as required. Motivate and manage any staff, that may be assigned, to the post holder to ensure effective service delivery and to be responsible for reviewing and implementing a proper staff training and development programme. Participate in all induction and in-service training provided by Belfast City Council and in the induction and support of all newly appointed staff and other human resource management procedures as appropriate. Participate as directed in the councils selection interview programme. Act in accordance with the council and departmental policies and procedures including customer care, equal opportunities, health and safety, safeguarding and any pertinent legislation. Undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the council. Undertake such other relevant duties as may from time to time be required. This job description has been written at a time of significant organisational change and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. Therefore, the post-holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description but which are commensurate with the role. Employee specification Essential criteria: Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of applications and throughout the selection process be current Belfast City Council employees or employees of the other local government organisations who are in the at risk category. Qualifications and experience Applicants must, as at the closing date for application forms: be a qualified accountant and be a full, current member of a relevant professional body, for example, Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA); Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA); Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA); Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) or equivalent; and be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least two years relevant experience gained in a large and complex organisation[1] in each of the following three areas: Assisting in the organisational processes of budgetary control and the annual budget setting process; Developing and providing accurate, timely and relevant financial management information to stakeholders, including developing appropriate reporting systems; and Working in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that corporate financial systems meet the needs of end users. [1] Large and complex organisation is defined as one with at least 250 staff or an annual budget of at least £25million and involving a high degree of coordination with a range of internal and external stakeholders.