NORTH POSITION: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT INCUMBENT: PORTFOLIO: BUSINESS UNIT: CLASSIFICATION: Corporate Services Finance North East Water Enterprise Agreement 2011 - Band 5 AWARD: Victorian Local Authorities Award 2001 EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/01/2016 POSITION PROFILE The successful applicant will contribute to the sound financial management of the Corporation by assisting in the delivery of the services provided by the Finance Group to meet the needs of internal and external customers. They will also be responsible for maintaining the Corporations Fleet within the Financial System and perform routine and project based tasks that contribute to the group successfully meeting its deadlines. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Key Role Specifics Maintain the Corporations Fleet within the Financial System. Provide support to the Accounts Payable Functions of the Corporation. Assist with the preparation of financial reports, monthly for all Business Units and quarterly to the Board, in a format, which meets the needs of the users. Assist with audit responsibilities, providing explanations as and when required. As a member of the finance team, perform routine and project based tasks that contribute to the group successfully meeting its customer s expectations.
1. KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS 1.1. Process general ledger and sub-system journal entries as required. 1.2. Maintain the purchase order committal system and conduct order procedure audits. 1.3. Ensure that all data entry and journals are processed in time frames specified by monthly close off procedures. 1.4. Administration of the Corporation s utility accounts, including monthly analysis, investigations and reports 1.5. Budget over-run reporting for recurrent expenditure items including developing the reporting format. 1.6. Assist with monthly board expenditure reporting. 1.7. Provide the daily updates to the financial systems. 1.8. Assist with daily bank reconciliations where required. 1.9. Prepare monthly Business Activity Statement and provide assistance on GST and related issues. 1.10. Perform the duties of Account Payable Officer as required to ensure flexibility within the Finance unit. 1.11. Assist with audit responsibilities as required. 1.12. Prepare and reconcile the Corporation s credit card on a monthly basis. 1.13. Coordinate the preparation of purchasing new vehicles by liaising with car dealers and Management. 1.14. Maintain the Corporations Fleet including Vic Roads, City Link and RACV accounts. 1.15. Monitor and reconcile spending within the fleet ledger and prepare fleet expenditure reports on a monthly basis. 1.16. Monthly reconciliation of general ledger accounted i.e. Interest & FAL. 1.17. Assist the Senior Financial Accountant as required to ensure flexibility within the Finance Unit. 1.18. Carry out any other duties as direct commensurate with the level of skills and nature of the position. 2. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS REPORTS TO: Financial Systems Coordinator SUPERVISES: INTERNAL LIAISONS: Nil All Corporation Staff EXTERNAL LIAISONS: - Customers - Suppliers - Auditors - General Public - Government Departments North East Water Page 2
3. ACCOUNTABILITY & EXTENT OF AUTHORITY 3.1. Accountable to Financial Systems Coordinator for integrity and timeliness of data generated with respect to the listed duties. 3.2. Accountable for compliance with regulatory and Corporation policy and procedural requirements. 3.3. Accountable for the integrity of the Fleet Ledger and the data generated for reporting purposes. 3.4. The position has authority to provide general information to customers in regards to the Water Saving Rebates guidelines set by DSE. 3.5. This position has no authorisation to procure goods or services in accordance with the Instrument of Delegations Schedule 3 which was endorsed by the Board in September 2015. 3.6. The position has freedom to operate with significant autonomy in accordance to clear guidelines set by the Manager Finance within the listed duties. 3.7. Ability to use discretion to resolve problems encountered within the listed duties using their own practical experience, consulting with other Finance team members or utilising the expertise of outside resources. 4. JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING 4.1. Problem solving usually involves selecting from a range of defined options with guidance and assistance being available from the Financial Accountant and Financial Systems Coordinator as required. 4.2. Must be able to interpret guidelines about Water Saving Rebates in accordance to the legislation set by DSE and advise customers accordingly. 4.3. The position will be required to make decisions about work priorities. 4.4. Pro-active and use own initiative, including the ability to work under minimum supervision. 4.5. The incumbent will need to exercise a degree of independence in fulfilling the requirements of the position within the bounds of Corporation policy and procedures. Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a choice when required. 5. SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 5.1. Knowledge and application of technical knowledge, with the ability to analyse technical and financial options. The position also requires a familiarity with budgeting techniques. 5.2. Sound knowledge, understanding and application of accounting principles and practice. 5.3. Strong knowledge of the current Australian Government Taxation laws surrounding GST (Goods and Services Tax) to be capable of performing the Accounts payable duties. 5.4. Analysis of financial statements and ability to write reports for both financial and non-financial audiences. 5.5. Strong application of computer skills across a range of packages including Microsoft packages with advanced application of excel. North East Water Page 3
6. MANAGEMENT SKILLS 6.1. Must possess a high level of commitment for the provision of excellence in customer service to both internal and external customers. 6.2. Highly developed organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work commitments and plan ahead to ensure an efficient, productive flow of work. 6.3. Ability to manage numerous resources and/or programs with competing demands. 6.4. Must be able to work in a team environment and priorities tasks in order to meet deadlines. 7. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS. 7.1. Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment. 7.2. Demonstrated ability to work with a range of stakeholders, eg peers in other agencies, and internally within the business. 7.3. A professional level of written and spoken communication skills to respond to customer enquiries regarding Water Saving Rebates. 7.4. Ability to liaise and gain cooperation from other staff to develop solutions to organisational matters that arise. 7.5. A high level of attention to detail and accurate data entry skills are required to ensure the integrity of the data entered is correct. 8. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 8.1. Formal qualification in Accounting or Business. 8.2. Experience in a financial environment. 8.3. Minimum two (2) years experience. 8.4. A current drivers licence. 9. RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT North East Water is committed to ensuring that all risks associated with our business are routinely and systematically addressed to reduce potential losses and maximise potential opportunities. The commitment is endorsed by the Board through the policy statement Our Commitment to Risk Management, which is implemented through the Risk Management Framework. The framework sets out the following responsibilities: Executive Managers are collectively responsible and accountable for the management of the Authority s risk profile and the risks assigned to them through the Risk Management Framework. They provide assurance that appropriate risk management processes are followed. Managers and Supervisors are required to: Coordinate and be responsible for the risk management process of the business unit Provide assistance and advice to staff within the business unit regarding risk management issues North East Water Page 4
Maintain all current controls and implement target controls for which they have been assigned responsibility through the framework Communicate high / extreme risks the Executive Be Responsible for the auditing of the business unit risk profiles. All employees are responsible for maintaining an adequate level of awareness of risks associated with their job role or area. They are required to: Identify the risks which they encounter during the course of their work Report these to their Manager or Supervisor as appropriate Mitigate and manage identified risks Maintain all current controls and implement target controls for which they have been assigned responsibility through the framework Act in accordance with all applicable law. Pursuant to these requirements all employees are to make a commitment to the Corporation s Health & Safety, Drinking Water Quality and Environmental Management Systems, i.e.: All North East Water employees are responsible for undertaking their duties in accordance with relevant policies and procedures contained in these management systems, and within other relevant environmental, DWQ and H&S legislation. Staff have a responsibility to make themselves aware of their environmental, DWQ and H&S responsibilities as far as practical. If at any time staff are in doubt about the consequences of their actions, they must seek guidance from their Supervisor, the Environmental Officer, Water Quality Officer or the Health & Safety Advisor as appropriate. 10. SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT North East Water is committed to the sustainable delivery of water and wastewater services. The commitment delivers on government policy enshrined in the Water Act 1989 and the Statement of Obligations. Executive Managers are collectively responsible and accountable for the sustainable delivery of water and wastewater services. They provide assurance that appropriate management processes are in place. Managers and Supervisors are required to: Understand and communicate, both within the team and to stakeholders the Corporation s obligations and commitment to the sustainable delivery of water and wastewater services Ensure that team activities are developed, resourced and delivered in accordance with the Corporation s sustainability objectives Ensure that documentation integrates and is consistent with the broader sustainability goals of the organisation Foster a sustainability culture within the team. All employees are responsible for maintaining an awareness of the sustainability goals of the organisation and contributing to the sustainable delivery of water and wastewater services by North East Water within their job role area. They are required to: Understand the Corporation s sustainability goals and how they contribute to their work role Understand the Corporation s sustainability obligations and how the contribute to their work role Demonstrate and faithfully represent the Corporation s commitment to the sustainable delivery of water and wastewater services North East Water Page 5
Act in accordance with all relevant policy and procedures Act in accordance with all applicable law 11. EMPLOYMENT COMMITMENT The Public Administration Act 2004 provides a framework to promote high standards of integrity and conduct in the Victorian public sector. It does this through establishing values and principles to guide conduct and performance. Values: Victorian public sector employees should demonstrate: Responsiveness - Providing high quality services to the Victorian community - Identifying and promoting best practice Integrity - Being honest, open and transparent in our dealings - Using powers responsibly - Reporting improper conduct Impartiality - Making decisions and providing advice on merit without bias Accountability - Accepting responsibility for their decisions and actions Respect - Treating others fairly and objectively - Ensuring freedom from discrimination, harassment and bullying Leadership - Actively implementing, promoting and supporting these values Human Rights - Making decisions and providing advice consistent with human rights - Respect law, human dignity, equality and freedom The Victorian public sector Code of Conduct reinforces these values. Principles: The employment principles reinforce the public sector values. The principles are essential to a highly effective and harmonious workplace and are to ensure: Employment decisions are based on merit Employees are treated fairly and reasonably Equal employment opportunity is provided Human rights as set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 are upheld Employees have a reasonable avenue of redress against unfair or unreasonable treatment North East Water has established processes to ensure the values and principles are adhered to, and all employees have the following responsibilities to: Understand and maintain the Victorian Public Sector Values Understand and maintain the Victorian Public Sector Code of Conduct Understand and maintain North East Water s Equal Opportunity Policy North East Water Page 6
Employees have the responsibility to make themselves aware of EEO as far as practicable. If at any time employees are in doubt about the consequences of their actions they must seek guidance from the supervisor of Human Resource Business Unit as appropriate. 12. RECORDKEEPING To comply with mandatory requirements, all public sector employees must: Create full and accurate records of all their work-related decisions and activities. Ensure records include information that will allow others to easily understand when, how, where, why and by whose authority actions took place and decisions were made. Consider recordkeeping requirements when planning initiatives, projects and activities, and assign responsibility to team members for creating and managing the resulting records. Ensure records are captured in accordance with organisational policies and processes (e.g. by saving to the corporate electronic document management or other business system or by printing and placing in the corporate file). Ensure safety and security of records and the information they contain. Consider the sensitivity of the information contained in records and ensure that records with personal, sensitive or confidential information are only accessible by authorised staff with a need to know. Only release records when authorised to do so (e.g. through photocopying or email dissemination). Only destroy records (both electronic and hard copy, including emails) when authorised to ensure the records they create and receive are retained in an accessible format for as long as required (destruction and retention of times for different records should be set down in approved Retention & Disposal Authorities check with the records management area). Familiarise themselves with organisational recordkeeping policies and practices and follow these. Where possible, take responsibility for improving records management practices in the workplace. EAST WATER North East Water Page 7