Position Description

Transcription

1 Position Description Title Coordinator Financial Accounting Directorate Finance & Corporate Planning Department Corporate Services Location Camberwell Offices Classification Band 7 Position code CRFIFAXXTLR Position purpose Provide the City of Boroondara with effective and efficient financial accounting services: including accounting integrity, adherence to Australian Accounting Standards, Local Government Legislation and Council Policies. These services are provided with effective control management, planning and coordination of the City s financial accounting needs; and delivered with a courteous manner. This position also provides leadership to the Financial Accounting team, including performance, recruitment and daily supervision.

2 Reporting relationships Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Supervises/manages: Financial Accounting team (EFT: Full-time and 3 part-time) Internal liaisons: Financial Services Staff All other Council Staff External liaisons: Auditors External Consultants Suppliers and officers of other Municipalities Assessment criteria The position will be assessed against the following items: Council Plan Business Plan Performance review and enhancement program (PREP) Risk management Boroondara values statements Duties and responsibilities Financial Reporting Coordinate the preparation of the annual financial statements for inclusion in Council s annual report. Ensure the financial statements comply with Australian Accounting Standards, Local Government legislation and other relevant legislation. Liaise with the external auditors for both audit and procedural requirements. Ensure all financial accounting obligations are met in accordance with current legislation and regulations.

3 Ensure the asset accounting policy is updated annually to reflect changes to the Australian Accounting Standards and Legislation. Ensure the CFO is made aware of changes to legislation and regulations as they may relate to Council in a timely manner. Fixed Asset Accounting Ensure asset register is maintained in accordance with applicable Australian Accounting Standards, the Local Government Act and other legislative requirements and in accordance with Councils Asset Accounting Policy. Ensure the asset register is maintained and updated in order to provide reports for management purposes as required. Ensure the asset register is reconciled to the general ledger on a monthly basis. Reconcile all infrastructure assets in the ledger with the information in Conquest. Coordinate the review of capital works projects to determine asset capitalisations and cost write offs. Ensure these capitalisations and write offs comply with applicable Australian Accounting Standards and Council s policies. Ensure works in progress have been capitalised in the year the project has been completed at year end. Support the Asset Accountant s liaison with relevant engineers and project managers in relation to the review of capital works projects relating to infrastructure assets (roads, footpaths, drains, etc). Implement system controls and procedures to better improve Council s asset management. Account for asset revaluations of specified asset classes in accordance with Council s revaluation program, Local Government legislation and Australian Accounting Standards. Coordinate the preparation of annual disclosures regarding property, infrastructure, plant and equipment for inclusion in the Financial Statements. Ensure these disclosures comply with relevant standards and legislation. Assist during the budget process with calculations of budgeted depreciation expenditure, fixed asset balances, works in progress write off expenditure, effects of revaluations and details regarding the expected profit/loss on sale of assets.

4 Management and Performance Reporting Prepare annual budget estimates for the Financial Accounting cost centre and manage this cost centre during the year. In collaboration with the CFO, set targets to monitor the performance of key activity indicators in relation to the Financial Accounting team. Report on these performance targets as required. General Ledger Control Procedures Review and authorise all journals prepared and posted by the Financial Accounting team, and relevant staff in Revenue and Property Services. Ensure all monthly reports from Property & Rating, Finance One and Pay Global are run on the last working day of each month. Ensure the period is rolled forward in Finance One after all journals have been posted by close of third business day following month end. In a shared responsibility with the Senior Compliance Accountant, every second month ensure all balance sheet general ledger accounts are reconciled in a timely manner. Conduct a review of all reconciliations completed for that month by members of the Financial Accounting team. Ensure issues are investigated and resolved prior to authorisation of the reconciliations. Provide up to date management information as required. In relation to Council s Property & Rating (debtors/receipting) system: o Maintain the accounting posting controls as required; and o Investigate any Property & Ratings journal issues or interface issues as they arise. Borrowings Oversee the management of Council s borrowings. Assist the Chief Financial Officer with the preparation of tender specifications, analysing and negotiation of loan offers and preparing loan comparison schedules. Finance System Administration Liaise with IT with regard to the system administration of Council s Finance One and Property and Rating systems to ensure compliance with Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) and Council policies.

5 Audit Committee Reports Prepare, evaluate and propose recommendations in reports to Council and senior management related to year end audit procedures and annual accounts. Council Policies and Procedures Ensure Council Policies relating to Financial Accounting are relevant and up-to-date. Ensure detailed work instructions relating to Financial Accounting roles and responsibilities are documented and are regularly maintained to ensure that they are relevant and up-to-date. Ensure Council policies are complied with. Staff Management & Development Provide leadership to the Financial Accounting team for problem solving; team development and quality continuous improvement. Conduct regular meetings with staff to monitor and evaluate performance and development. Identify and facilitate staff training needs designed to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Appraise and counsel staff informally and through formal reviews in accordance with approved procedures. Manage and motivate staff and ensure they maintain a high level of professional ethics, resident focus and perform their responsibilities to achieve Council goals and priorities. Undertake the recruitment, selection and appointment of staff in accordance with authorised delegations. Document management Document management is a shared responsibility between staff, managers, corporate information and system administrators. ECM is the corporate document management system. The Council Service Charter requires a final or interim response to incoming correspondence be provided within 10 working days. If an interim response is provided, it will detail when a full response will be provided.

6 All staff are responsible for making and keeping complete full and accurate records in the Corporate System ECM that adequately document Council business activities and support any decisions made. This further extends to making information available to other staff through ECM improving the overall service provided by Council. Risk management Assist with the implementation of Risk Management policies, procedures standards, guidelines, instructions and Risk Assessment Control Plans Consult with employees on OHS issues and support OHS Representatives in their duties and/or requests Discuss Risk Management issues as a part of team meetings Conduct and document system reviews and inspections of employees and contractors with assistance from the Risk Management Team, manager(s), OHS Representatives and/or employees Confirm and/or deliver proper training and instruction is given to personnel allowing them to complete jobs safely and without risks to health Take appropriate action to alleviate any hazardous situation, unsafe act or omission that is observed or brought to their attention and provide appropriate feedback Conduct effective induction of all employees, followed by ongoing training to develop and maintain a high level of OHS awareness Assist with the implementation of Return to Work Plans Accountability and extent of authority Maintain the integrity an accuracy of the financial accounting systems. Develop, recommend and implement policies and procedures to ensure the compliance with appropriate accounting standards and legislation and the efficient operation of the Financial Accounting team. Supervise staff to ensure that Council s objectives are achieved in regard to financial services, continuous improvement and innovation.

7 Judgment and decision making Provide professional advice to the Manager Financial Services in relation to accounting standards and legislative requirements. Required to make decisions ranging from those associated with day to day matters to more complex issues drawing on several years experience and professional training. Required to exercise independent professional judgement and adaptability in evaluating and determining appropriate methods, procedures and practices for achieving Council objectives. More complex or sensitive matters should be bought to the attention of the Manager Financial Services. Specialist skills and knowledge Extensive knowledge of accounting principles, accounting standards and financial accounting systems. Knowledge of internal controls procedures pertaining to financial systems. An understanding of general ledger reconciliation principles and practices. Thorough knowledge of Australian Accounting Standards and Local Government Legislative requirements. Thorough knowledge of the application of underlying principles of financial accounting. High level computer and spreadsheet skills. Attention to detail. Management skills Manage time and determine priorities, plan work flow of self and others and meet tight deadlines effectively. Provide training, guidance, advice, leadership and motivation to a team of financial accountants. Ability to use participative management practices and develop management styles that are supportive and stimulative. Knowledge of and ability to implement HR policies.

8 Interpersonal skills High level verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate technical accounting information to non-accounting staff. Ability to communicate across different levels of the organisation hierarchy. Ability to coordinate the activities of team members to meet team goals. High standards of ethical behaviour. Qualifications and experience Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Commerce, Economics or Business Studies with CA or CPA accreditation. Extensive experience and demonstrated achievement and innovation in a Financial Accounting Department. Demonstrated achievement within a large multi dimensional environment. Substantial experience in the management of people or projects in a financial accounting setting. Selection criteria Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Commerce, Economics or Business Studies with CA or CPA accreditation. Extensive experience and demonstrated achievement and innovation in a Financial Accounting Department. Extensive knowledge of accounting principles, accounting standards and financial accounting systems. High level verbal and written communication skills. High level computer and spreadsheet skills. Attention to detail. Experience in effectively managing a Financial Accounting team.