Local Government Jobs

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Title: Financial Accountant

Responsible for:

Annual Statement of Accounts, Fixed asset accounting and capital charges, VAT accounting, pensions accounting

Job purpose:

To manage the production, approval and publication of the Council’s Statement of Accounts, including the application of the latest Local Authority accounting standards and liaison with external audit. The jobholder provides the key technical input to this most critical finance function.

To maintain the Council’s Asset Register and fixed asset accounting records including capital charges, and VAT and pensions accounting and reporting.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. To plan the financial closedown process, in liaison with finance team members and external audit,
2. To co-ordinate and manage progress against the closedown timetable, and report slippage and resolve problems with the Financial Accounting Manager and Head of Finance as required;
3. To keep up to date with technical accounting developments and changes to Local Authority SORP, implementing new accounting requirements for the Council and briefing other finance managers, and elected Members as required;
4. Co-ordinate the audit process and be the main point of contact for all external audit queries and their resolution.
5. Present accounts and updates to Audit & Governance committee;
6. Ensure that the Statement of Accounts is published including on the Council’s website and in summary form or as part of an annual report in a format accessible to the general public;
7. To maintain the Council’s Fixed Asset Register, recommending improvements to systems as appropriate, and calculating capital charges;
8. To manage the Council’s VAT position effectively and to minimise the risk of breaching partial exemption limits;
9. To keep up to date with the financial implications of the Local Government Pension Scheme, including liaison with the County Council on how the Council’s pension fund is affected, and all pensions accounting;
10. To advise, train and assist officers and Councillors on financial matters;
11. To manage finance officer(s) and any seconded finance trainees ;
12. To deputise for the Financial Accounting Manager as required;
13. To represent the Council at external meetings as required, eg Oxfordshire Treasurers’ Accountancy subgroup

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Financial Accountant Grade: PO24/25 Post No: 9740

Person Specification Essential/
Desirable Method:
Application (A)
Interviewed (I)
Test (T)
Experience
At least 3 years’ senior financial management experience including managing staff E AI
Experience of managing end of year accounts closure processes E AI
Experience of managing fixed asset accounting D AI
Knowledge
Demonstrates up to date knowledge of technical accounting issues and understands how they relate to local government E AI
Local Government accounting experience D AI
Key competencies
Ability to plan and prioritise work & manage staff to deliver objectives E AI
Highly numerate and with strong financial management skills E IT
Good communication skills – verbal, presentation and report writing E IT
Qualifications
A qualified member of a CCAB body E A
Evidence of continuing professional development E AI

Equal Opportunities

Valuing differences and making equal opportunities a reality