Financial Accounting Manager

Transcription

1 Hammersmith & Fulham borough of opportunity Financial Accounting Manager Finance and Corporate Services Application Pack 1

2 Information for applicants Job Description Person Specification 2

3 Job Description Job Title: Financial Accounting Manager Department: Finance and Corporate Services Responsible to: Head of Corporate Accountancy Responsible for: Principal Accountant x 3 Accountant Financial Management Trainee Grade: PO8 PO10 Career Grade Job Purpose 1. To act as the lead practitioner on: The Council s Financial Accounting Framework Corporate Revenue Monitoring The Chart of Accounts The Financial Regulations The production of the Annual Statement of Accounts 2. To manage the financial accounting team in support of the above functions Main Duties and Responsibilities Corporate Role: 1. To maintain and develop strong and effective working relationships across the council s finance function, particularly with regard to devolved finance teams. 2. To lead on or contribute to specific corporate finance projects as requested by the Head of Corporate Accountancy 3. To uphold the Council s values, leading by example as a senior finance professional 3

4 4. To represent the department and the Council in joint working with other council departments and local, regional and national organisations (Council, Private, Voluntary Sectors) 5. To act as the principal operational contact with the Audit Commission at team manager level Functional Role: 6. To manage the production of the Annual Statement of Accounts, taking direct responsibility for the main financial statements and delegating the production of others amongst the team as agreed with the Head of Corporate Accountancy 7. To undertake detailed planning for the closing of accounts process and produce this in the form of the annual closing timetable 8. To project manage the closure process using the closing timetable, and report slippage from programme to the Head of Corporate Accountancy, along with recommendations for remedial action 9. To act as the principal operational contact for the Council s external auditors during the final accounts audit, managing the process for responding to queries and MFD s in line with the agreed protocol 10. To maintain an up to date knowledge of statutory and other guidance and apply it where necessary to the council s financial accounting processes 11. To provide corporate leadership on achieving excellent standards of financial accounting, for example promoting best practice in terms of working papers 12. To act as the corporate owner of any of the main components of the financial system (CEDAR) as directed by the Head of Corporate Accountancy 13. To act as the owner of the council s Chart of Accounts, ensuring all changes are consistent with overall principle and maintaining the integrity of the coding structure 14. To oversee the production of the Council s Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report for consideration by senior managers and members in line with the agreed timetable 15. To undertake quality assurance review of the monitoring returns provided by departments 4

5 Managerial Role: 16. To develop an annual business plan for the team, including targets and deadlines that align with corporate and departmental plans 17. To translate team targets and objectives into individual workplans, and to monitor delivery against these, taking corrective action as appropriate. 18. To monitor and act upon all areas of team and individual performance, including sickness absence. 19. To celebrate achievements and to address areas of underperformance 20. To identify staff training and development needs, and strategies to meet these 21. Deputise for the Head of Corporate Accountancy 22. To promote and implement the Council s Equal Opportunities Policy, particularly in areas of recruitment, access to training, conduct and in relation to the duties of the post. Additional Responsibilities for PO9 All standard responsibilities carried out to the expected standard. Completion of higher level duties in line with the following: 23. Undertake constructive and robust review of departmental monitoring submissions. Identify key assumptions and areas of risk. Make recommendations for changes as appropriate 24. To take the lead on the provision of financial information to residents and other stakeholders. Reviewing the requirements for the summary accounts and options for an annual report. Implementing the recommended outcomes 25. To contribute a leading role to corporate finance projects, acting as the technical lead on specific projects and working with colleagues to produce recommended options for implementation 26. To act as the lead officer on specific areas of the Use of Resources Key Lines of Enquiry, undertaking a self-assessment for presentation to the Audit Commission, and acting as the main contact leading to the achievement of the agreed target score 5

6 Additional Responsibilities for PO Successfully implement key projects emerging from the Finance Development Programme such as revised month end procedures and in year closing 28. Initiating reviews of existing areas of work, identifying significant opportunity for improvements, and implementing change successfully 29. Project managing major projects on as part of the Finance Development Programme, delivering significant operational or finance benefits 30. Acting as the finance technical adviser on major corporate projects, working as part of a multi disciplinary project team to deliver tangible benefits 31. Dealing extensively with elected members via the Audit Committee. Identifying opportunities for training for members and commissioning or providing training as appropriate 6

7 Person Specification Financial Accounting Manager Qualifications and Experience CCAB Qualified Experience of working in local government, or in a similar complex public or private sector organisation, at a senior level An understanding of key financial accounting and financial management principles An excellent understanding of local authority accounting in particular, including key documents such as the SORP and BVACOP, and recent or impending changes Experience of closing accounts and working through an audit process Experience of monitoring budgets and providing advice to managers Experience of leading and managing staff An understanding of core financial systems issues Skills and Abilities Able to understand complex accounting rules and apply them to everyday functions Ability to communicate complex technical issues in a straightforward manner Able to demonstrate personal and professional credibility. Proficient in the use of financial systems and other appropriate information technology Strong interpersonal skills Able to achieve change through influence as well as control Resilience 7

8 Able to manage complex individual and team workloads effectively Demonstrate a commitment to the council s Equal Opportunities Policies and the ability to undertake and implement the policies in relation to the job responsibilities. 8