NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE JOB DESCRIPTION FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT (GRADE PO7) JOB REF: N39/3/07

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1 NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE JOB DESCRIPTION FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT (GRADE PO7) JOB REF: N39/3/07 FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS, 1 SEYMOUR STREET, LISBURN SALARY: 39, TO 41, PER ANNUM HOURS OF DUTY: MONDAY TO FRIDAY, 9.00 AM TO 5.00 PM (36¼ HOURS PER WEEK) MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB: The Financial Accountant will be responsible to the Financial Controller for the efficient and effective management and control of the Payroll, Pensions and Accounts offices. The post-holder will be responsible for the collation of Statutory Annual Accounts and Consolidated Accounts in line with Departmental guidance and timescales. The post-holder will be required to develop robust financial accounting systems and procedures in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions and other accountability arrangements, to ensure that appropriate accounting records are maintained and provide assurances over the security of resources. The post-holder will also be responsible for developing and continuously improving the function and will be responsible for helping drive the modernisation of accounting systems and procedures. He/she will also deputise for the Financial Controller and represent the Service at meetings with external stakeholders and other government Bodies. To promote the highest possible standards of probity, regularity and value for money in the stewardship of Fire and Rescue resources; To take into account complex interdepartmental issues when developing strategic financial plans and have the ability to translate strategic goals into practical achievable goals, targets and work-plans; To plan, co-ordinate, and monitor work-plans and prioritise the work, against conflicting priorities, in a continually changing financial environment; Control workload within the team, managing client expectations to ensure consistent and satisfactory service levels; To delegate appropriate duties and responsibilities to staff and to provide them with a clear brief and relevant support;

2 - 2 - To monitor the quality of the output of staff, setting quality targets and ensuring that staff set themselves objectives for improving the quality of their own work; To develop strategies and policies under a system of continuous improvement which will ensure the re-alignment and integration of the accounting systems; To collaborate and build networks and partnerships with external organisations and have the authority to act on behalf of the Fire and Rescue Service on issues involving substantial resources; Display the confidence, quickness of intellect and grasp of complex financial models and be consistently effective in decision making and in making recommendations in a complex and changing environment; SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERSONAL DUTIES: 1 Responsible for the preparation of Statutory Annual Accounts in accordance with Departmental Directives, UK GAAP, and other relevant guidance; 2 Responsible for the production of Consolidation Accounts in accordance with Departmental/Central Government Directives; 3 Responsible for the day to day dealings with Local Government / Internal Auditors to ensure clean audit opinion on all accounts; 4 Responsible for implementing audit recommendations, reviewing and redesigning processes where necessary; 5 Responsible for delivering efficiency and cash releasing strategies for the NIFRS and ensure that workable plans and targets are set and delivered on a timely basis; 6 Develop and manage a policy on income generation that is fully integrated with the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Corporate Plan; 7 Responsible for developing and implementing Service Level Agreements with organisations that regularly use the NIFRS s services; 8 Responsible for developing Standing Financial Instructions and procedure manuals to ensure probity and regularity over public expenditure; 9 Responsible for maintaining and enhancing Corporate Governance to ensure high standards of financial administration, probity and control; 10 Provide significant input into the preparation of Medium-Term Financial Strategies to ensure that a balanced financial position and appropriate liquidity levels are maintained; 11 Responsible for developing and managing Corporate Banking arrangements and take lead responsibility for all discussions in respect of banking contracts and tender;

3 Responsible for developing banking policies, procedures, controls and reconciliations; 13 Management and development of the Risk Register so as to ensure that the NIFRS complies with relevant statutory guidance and to provide the Board with appropriate reports and recommendations in order to minimise and manage risk; 14 Lead responsibility for managing the Payroll, Pensions and Accounts offices to ensure that all weekly / monthly employee and pensioner emoluments are processed and distributed in a timely manner and that creditor/debtors payments and receipts are recorded and processed in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions; 15 Responsible for developing and managing a strategy to ensure appropriate levels of working capital and liquidity are maintained; 16 Responsible for maintaining appropriate controls over employee payments, payroll reconciliation and the electronic transmission of wage and salary payments (BACS); 17 Responsible for the compilation of the VAT Return and dealing with any issues from Inland Revenue/Customs & Excise; 18 Responsible for calculating provision and contingent liabilities for pensions, insurance and employment claims in accordance with Financial Reporting Standards; 19 Responsible for ensuring that sound financial systems and procedures exist for full, accurate and efficient recording of all General Ledger postings; 20 Review internal financial control mechanisms on an on-going basis and ensure that they remain effective and up to date; 21 Develop and maintain timetables for all routine and cyclical work within the Financial Services Sections, ensuring outputs are clearly defined and that financial procedures support their production; 22 Contribute to the Directorates Strategic vision and in turn develop and manage the strategic vision for the Financial Accounting Function and translate the vision into workable policies, procedures and action plans; 23 Provide technical advice and guidance to Budget Managers on the application of Accruals Principles and Accounting Standards insofar as they impact on their budgets; 24 Responsible for the management and control of all Financial Accounting systems and ensuring that strict accounting deadlines and closedown procedures are complied with; 25 Develop appropriate Financial Training strategies to ensure that staff have appropriate training in the use and development of software used within the Financial Accounting Sections;

4 Manage and lead the continual development of financial systems, analysis and reporting mechanisms and financial control processes; 27 Responsible for evaluating the use/purchase of new software application packages and provide recommendations to the Financial Controller/Director of Finance & Performance Management; 28 Responsible for the establishment and maintenance of effective systems administration and security policies in respect of accounting systems; 29 Deal with external Agencies as appropriate in day to day financial matters; 30 Deputise for the Financial Controller as appropriate; 31 Responsible for ensuring that all standing financial instructions and procedure manuals in respect of the Financial Accounting function are regularly reviewed and updated in accordance with Accounting standards and other best practice guidance issued by the DHSSPS and Internal/External Auditors; 32 Liaise with Budget Managers, the Senior Management Team and provide ad-hoc information as required; and 33 Assist in the preparation of such financial information, briefing material, and reports as required by the Director of Finance & Performance Management and any other duties as commensurate with this grade. General Management Responsibilities: Responsible for the management of staff, performance appraisals and the preparation of Forward Job Plans; Preparation of briefing material and reports for the Director of Finance and Performance Management and the Senior Management Team and comply with strict deadlines; Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her; Provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on, where appropriate training requirements; Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making whilst retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results; and Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Board.

5 - 5 - Responsible for Health and Safety aspects as set out in the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service's Health and Safety Policy. The promotion and support of the principles and practices of all aspects of fairness at work in accordance with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service s Equal Opportunities Policy. Such other duties as may be allocated and interchange of duties as required. To effectively manage the attendance of staff within the established procedures and to meet any attendance targets set by the Service. To observe any guidance issued under the Data Protection Act It is the applicant's responsibility to provide sufficient information for the application to be assessed. Completed application forms must be returned in the envelope provided not later than 3.00 pm on THURSDAY, 5 APRIL 2007.