Interim VAT Accountant

Job Description

Job Category : Finance, Revenues & Benefits
Location : Civic Centre, Torfaen Council
Hours Per Week :25.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time :09:00
End Time :17:30
Salary: £22.65

1) To manage and ensure that the proper administration of the Authority’s VAT obligations takes place in accordance with statutory legislation and HMRC Regulations, including the completion of the required VAT returns, and the completion and monitoring of the Council’s VAT Partial Exemption position.
2) Continuing to develop processes and procedures to ensure that all required aspects of HMRC Making Tax Digital requirements are implemented and are efficient in operation.
3) To be responsible for the maintenance and development of comprehensive VAT guidance manuals.
4) To respond to changes in Welsh & UK wide statute that impact VAT accounting / treatment.
5) To provide VAT advice and support on issues that arise on an ad-hoc basis.
6) To work effectively in a demanding role with high degree of conflicting priorities, whilst adhering to strict deadlines and externally definable timescales.
7) To ensure effective communication links are established and maintained.
8) To ensure that all tasks that the post is responsible for are undertaken with due recognition of best practice and all relevant prevailing accounting standards and legislation.
9) To make an active contribution to the development and deployment of IT within Financial Services, in a VAT context.
10) To maintain appropriate relationships with officers of the Council, external agencies and the community to ensure that the financial stewardship of the council finances are preserved at all instances, and that best practice can be adopted.
11) To undertake any other duty that may reasonably be requested by the Head of Financial Services.

1.1 Qualified Accountant .
1.2 Commitment to and participation in Continual Professional Development (CPD)
1.3 An understanding and knowledge of the range of current issues confronting local authority finance
1.4 An understanding of financial systems and accounting principles
1.5 Practical knowledge and understanding of legislation, statutory obligations and related regulations relating to local authority finance
Experience
2.1 5 years practical experience in finance
2.2 Proven experience of identifying and implementing personal, service and corporate goals
Skills and Abilities
3.1 An understanding and knowledge of the range of issues confronting local authority finance.
3.2 An ability to identify and implement personal, departmental and corporate goals.
3.3 An understanding of financial systems and accounting principles.
3.4 An ability to reflect on and learn from mistakes
3.5 Be highly self-motivated and can act on own initiative
3.6 Pro-active and innovative approach and logical, systematic approach to problem solving
3.7 A determination to ensure proper public accountability and stewardship of the financial affairs of the Authority
Personal Attributes
4.1 To be an effective communicator with good interpersonal skills necessary to collaborate successfully with other agencies under partnership arrangements.
4.2 To be an effective manager of change.
4.3 Highly numerate, I.T. literate and analytical