Accountant
Job Description
Job Category : Financial
Location : Badminton Road Council Offices, South Gloucestershire Council
Hours Per Week : 37.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time :09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £21.98
Under the direction of the Finance Business Partner, you will be responsible for the day to day activity within the team to provide financial advice and information and deliver a range of quality and cost effective financial management and financial support services, to Council departments. The role has key responsibility for:
o Supporting the Finance Business Partner in the preparation of revenue and capital budgets and the preparation of budget monitoring information.
o Providing financial advice and support to budget holders, including, advice about capital resources to support the preparation of bids for funding from external bodies.
o Supervision, on a day-to-day basis, of the work of Finance Officers and oversight of the work of the Finance Assistants.
o Ensuring that provider payments are made accurately and on time each year.
Key Responsibilities
If relevant: manage and motivate a team of staff and oversee performance monitoring, recruitment and provide guidance ensuring team members receive performance feedback and advice, development opportunities and that a highly competent, creative and participative culture is maintained.
Provide expert advice to customers (councillors, departments, managers) who receive clear guidance and information and also ensure that council activity is lawful.
Produce information reports and analyse complex data for customers so that customers receive accurate, up to date reports and data that fulfil statutory requirements
Set targets, monitor performance and review potential changes to systems to ensure services and/or projects are delivered successfully
Work closely with suppliers and partners to negotiate and manage projects that meet business needs and service standards.
In consultation with customers identify and provide training and information sessions so understanding of the area of expertise is enhanced
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
1. You will have significant operational experience within a large organisation, delivering similar services.
2. You will hold a relevant professional qualification or will have equivalent relevant professional experience.
3. You will be able to build positive relationships with Council-wide contacts and partner organisations.
4. You will have experience of managing and motivating staff to achieve organisational objectives.
5. You will be able to oversee projects and work programmes.
6. You will be able to show excellent verbal and written communication by being able to understand and explain complex information to technical and non-technical audiences at all levels.
7. You will have good interpersonal skills to communicate with managers and colleagues and to negotiate with and influence a range of audiences
8. You will have excellent numeracy and good analytical skills.
9. You will be able to work flexibly, cope with competing demands through good time management and work under pressure.
10. You will be able to deal with sensitive and contentious issues.
Person Specification
Essential
Recognised CCAB qualification (preferably CIPFA), or Association of Accounting Technician qualified or will have equivalent relevant professional experience in local government, covering the key financial processes of financial planning, budget preparation, budget monitoring and preparing final accounts (1 & 2).
Experience of supervising a small team to effectively deliver a range of quality and cost effective financial management and financial support services (4).
Good project management skills to work and oversee projects as and when required (5)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (6)
Experience of undertaking analysis and appropriately communicating the results to the selected audience (7&8)
Well organised with excellent time management skills (9)
Excellent IT Skills
Exemplifying the Council values and behaviours
Desirable
Experience of working in a Local Government Organisation
Knowledge of CIVICA Financials