3007CE Group Accountant (Grade 11)

Job Description

Job title: 3007CE Group Accountant (Grade 11)
Job Category: Finance, Revenues & Benefits
Location: Ty Penallta, Penallta House, Tredomen Business Park, Hengoed, CF82 7PG, Caerphilly County Borough Council
Hours per week: 37
Salary: £24.46 per hour

2 days in the office
JOB PURPOSE
Provide Revenue, Capital and Treasury accountancy services.
Revenue
Coordinate the corporate Final Accounts process.
Assist in the coordination of the corporate budget process.
Assist in the coordination of the corporate budget monitoring process.
Provide a technical research and advice service relating to Local Government accounting.
Monitor compliance with accounting standards, legislative requirements and best practice relating to Local Government accounting.
Manage a number of other functions provided by the team including:
Provision of Value Added Tax (VAT) Advice and completion of VAT returns.
Provision of Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) advice and completion of CIS returns.
Control account monitoring and reconciliation.
Administration of education trust funds.

The corporate ledger systems, including the provision of general ledger and purchase ledger services; ledger training development and security; the maintenance of a ledger helpdesk facility, and the administration of the corporate internal invoicing module.
Capital
Coordinate the corporate capital accounting year end process.

Supervise the capital budget preparation, budget monitoring in respect of the capital accounts and within agreed timetables.
Treasury
Supervise the Treasury Management functions, including borrowing and investment.
Supervise the banking arrangements for the Council.
Supervise the bank reconciliation function.
Supervise the administration of the Council�s Petty Cash Accounts.
KEY RESULT AREAS
Effective management of a team ensuring Council and HR policies are implemented and monitored.
Ensure the Authority�s Statement of accounts is produced in line with the relevant regulatory and statutory requirements by the statutory deadline.
Ensure the budgets input and maintained in the corporate ledger are reconciled and as per the agreed Council budget strategy.
Ensure the day-to-day operations within the Treasury Management function operate in accordance with the Treasury Management Strategy. This includes making decisions on a daily basis to invest funds with external bodies based upon the available cash flows.
Undertake budget preparation, budget monitoring and year end accounts closure tasks in respect the Authority�s Capital accounts in accordance with agreed timetables.
Provide financial advice and guidance to budget holders.
Ensure all statutory returns are completed and submitted to the relevant bodies by the stipulated deadlines.
Ensure the ledger is structured and utilised in a manner that is consistent and compliant with accounting and creditor payment standards, legislative requirements and best practice relating to local government accounting and facilitates associated corporate financial reporting.
Ensure the ledger provides the management information required for effective management of the Authority�s finances.
DETAILED TASK PROFILE
Coordinate and manage the corporate accounts closure each financial year.
Coordinate the corporate annual closing of accounts timetable and associated notes of guidance.
Prepare the Authority�s year-end consolidated accounts and the final Statement of Accounts.
Account for the Authority�s corporate balance sheet and undertake all necessary ledger reconciliation�s up to trial balance stage.
Liaise with the Authority�s external auditors to ensure t the Authority complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements in closing its accounts.
Ensure all the Authority�s accounting staff comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements in preparing their service accounts.
Oversee the submission of the Authority�s corporate Revenue Outturn Return to the Welsh Assembly Government by the stipulated deadline.
Coordinate the completion of the Authority�s corporate Revenue Account Return and ensure submission to the Welsh Government by the stipulated deadline.
Coordinate the production and submission of the Authority�s Whole of Government Accounts return to the National Data Unit.
Ensure budgets input and maintained in the corporate ledger are reconciled and as per the agreed Council budget strategy.
Assist managers in the preparation and reporting of the Capital Programme. Responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the Capital Ledger and ensuring all transactions are compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements. May make recommendations to other finance professionals and senior managers regarding the correct accounting treatment of transactions to ensure compliance.
Close the Authority�s capital accounts in line with agreed timetables.
Assist in the closure of the revenue accounts as directed.
As part of the Treasury Management function, responsible for management, raising and servicing of the Council�s loan debt. This includes making decisions with regards the timing of the repayment of loans and the taking out of loans to gain the most advantageous rates for the Authority.
As part of the Treasury Management function, responsible for management, raising and servicing of the Council�s investments. This includes making decisions on a daily basis to invest funds with external bodies based upon the available cash flows achieving the best return for the Authority.
Conduct the Treasury and Debt Management functions in accordance with the Council�s approved Treasury Management Strategy, statutory/regulatory requirements and approved codes of practice.
Draft the annual Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Strategy for discussion with the Chief Accountant, agreement and final sign-off by the Section 151 Officer and ratification by Full Council. This includes making recommendations to senior management as to the investment strategy the Authority should follow each year.
Assist in the monitoring and reporting of the prudential indicators in line with CIPFAs Prudential Code.
Supervise the administration of, and accounting arrangements for the Authority and the monthly bank reconciliation.
Interpret and advise upon the implications of new and existing legislation, codes of practice, consultation documents and other best practice documentation, relating to Local Government Accounting.
Manage the integrated ledger system of the Authority.
Provide financial advice to other accounting/finance staff throughout the Authority.
Assist the Chief Accountant in preparing the Council Tax Resolution, make all arrangements for the notification of the Council Tax base, and precept payment dates, and the timely remittance of payments.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Director of Financial Services and Section151
Deputy Director of Financial Services and Section151
Chief Accountant
Finance Managers
Service Accountants
Internal Auditors
External Auditors
Treasury Management Advisors
Money Market Brokers, Barclays Bank
Other external agencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR STAFF
Full line management responsibility for a team of up to 15. Management responsibility includes recruitment, selection and induction. Performance appraisal (My Time and My Time Extra), mentoring, personal development and training. Quality and quantity of work, welfare, grievance and discipline.
Responsible for the distribution of work to team members to ensure all tasks required to be undertaken by the team are completed and deadlines achieved.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RESOURCES
Financial; Plant; Buildings or Equipment
Sole responsibility for a laptop computer.
Data Systems
Shared accountability for the use, management and safekeeping of data systems containing financial information.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Flexible post in accordance with the Council�s Agile Working Policy. The team work on an agile basis between the office and home. The team attend the Council offices when asked to do so for meetings, specific tasks, supervision and appraisals.
Occasional requirement to visits other Council sites.
Occasional requirement to attend seminars.
There will be restrictions in respect of the approval of continuous blocks of annual leave (1 and 2 weeks) during critical periods.
ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Understands and demonstrates the principles of confidentiality.
Work within the policies and procedures of the Council including recognising the duty to protect vulnerable adults, children and young people.
Understands and demonstrates commitment to the Council’s policies.
Demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal development.
The duties and responsibilities are difficult to define in detail and may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post-holder is therefore expected to undertake such other duties as may be requested provided the general character of the duties or level of responsibility does not change.

ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Accountancy qualification or equivalent. For example Level 6 (Degree) Accountancy, AAT.
Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) recognised qualification.
KNOWLEDGE
Detailed knowledge of local authority accounting standards and associated legislative requirements.
Knowledge of the Council�s Financial Regulations / Standing Orders.
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.
CIPFA Service Reporting Code of Practice.
CIPFA Prudential Code.
CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice.
Anti-money laundering legislation.
Preparation of Local Authority statutory accounts.
Knowledge of Ledger systems and their administration and management.
Knowledge of taxation and its application in a local government environment. SKILLS
Computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
Proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to communicate effectively at all levels both written and verbal.
Ability to plan, monitor and meet tight deadlines.
Ability to communicate technical issues in a clear and understandable manner.
Methodical approach and attention to detail.
Mathematical ability.
Welsh language skills.
An imaginative, creative and flexible approach to problem solving and the demands of the job.
Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
Ability to assess and advise upon the implications of change in legislation and codes of practice.
EXPERIENCE
Extensive experience of Local Authority Accounting and associated legislation and Codes of Practice.
Experience of managing, motivating and developing a team.