Close Down Accountant

2 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

• Responsible for the strategic planning in the production and approval of the Council’s audited statutory Statement of Accounts. Taking a strategic approach in council wide engagement to embed a strong culture of sound accounting knowledge and compliance, to the levels of strategic managers/Heads of Service and Elected Members.
  
• The post holder will be the leading technical advisor for VAT, reporting direct to the S151 on matters. The role acts as the key point of contact with critical external stakeholders, in particular external auditors and HMRC.
  
• Working with the Head of Corporate Finance is a leading officer for developing and maintaining financial standards, compliance and good governance within Finance and across the Council.
  
• This is a very technical and specialist role which requires extensive and up to date knowledge of the latest regulations and best practice.
  

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

• Oversee the Councils closure of accounts process, directing resources in producing the statutory Statement of Accounts, and other related returns.
  
• Keeps up to date with developments in the public and private sectors through active involvement in regional and national networks, setting strategies to ensure compliance to these.
  
• Equips the Audit Committee with knowledge of the latest accounting practices and the ability to understand the information in the accounts to fulfil their role. Presents the final audited accounts to the S151 officer and Audit Committee for approval.
  
• Manages external auditor interactions being the lead coordinator of the requests for information, validating responses and ensuring all is provided in a timely manner. The role is a key account manager, building and managing relationships with the external auditors at all seniority levels and between the Council.
  
• Sets the strategy in response to auditor recommendations made, presenting counter challenge, following up with an action plan and directing resources or process improvements as relevant.
  
• Plan and direct all accounting processes to ensure that the Council’s needs, and statutory accounting obligations are fully determined, delivered and meet the latest accounting standards and professional best practice.
  
• Deliver financial training to staff on accounting requirements and standards, including VAT. Continuously enabling improvement to process and knowledge to be maintained over the long-term.
  
• Co-ordinate the Councils fees & charges ensuring that the basis of the charge is clear, and the VAT treatment is correct.
  
• Sets the strategy and ensures compliance of VAT regulations, reporting matters to the S151 Officer who is directly responsible. Advise the council on VAT and be the leading point of contact for HMRC on all VAT matters and inspections.
  
• Develop and maintain the Councils financial procedures concerning the financial vetting of contractors hoping to trade with the Council.
  
• Provide financial advice to the Head of Corporate and Director of Finance on the accounting treatment of technical accounting issues and to the whole council on VAT, providing recommendations on action required.
  
• Ensure the use of the MS Dynamics 365 finance system is used correctly by accounting and support staff to reflect proper accounting practice. For example, ensuring appropriateness of internal vs external coding.
  
• Ensures the Asset Accounting process and reporting regimes comply with regulations. To include directing the implementation and management of emerging new standards, such as IFRS16 leases.
  
• Maintain the Council’s controls over banking, having oversight of the cash books, bank reconciliation and directing of the Council’s banking and cashier colleagues.
  
• The lead officer managing the online BACs payment system contract and administration of the Council online banking system.
  
• Support the council’s treasury management activities through checking daily transaction proposals.
  
• Leads the annual closing of the HRA account and understanding the impacts of the 30-year HRA business plan, in collaboration with the relevant Strategic Finance Business Partner. With oversight of reporting requirements, ensures proper accounting treatment is separate to the General Fund and the management of fixed assets/ investment charges to the HRA fund are appropriate and forecasted.
  
• Provide clear leadership to deliver the Council’s strategic priorities and meet the Council’s financial targets, as a member of the Directorates Senior Leadership Team.
  
• Update and advise Elected Members in respect of operational and policy issues in relation to the Finance services teams.
  
• Lead Finance teams with a clear identity in terms of flexible and responsive ways of working, inclusive and diverse culture, and high level of employee engagement and wellbeing.
  
• Undertake representational and communication duties on behalf of the Council to promote and protect the Council’s interests in matters concerning their specialist areas.
  
• Create, monitor, and review frameworks of performance measures and quality standards to be applied in the delivery of services.
  
• Function as an ambassador for the Council promoting, both internally and externally, the Council’s vision, strategic aims, and values.
  
• Value the diversity of Somerset’s communities ensuring equality of access and treatment in service delivery and employment.
  
• Function as a role model for Somerset’s vision and values. Promotes a culture of continuous improvement that encourages creativity and innovation to ensure services are efficient and develop the potential and flexibility across the Council and its workforce including the motivation and development of employees within the Finance service teams.
  
• Ensure that Finance services place a high value on customer responsiveness by demonstrating a commitment to meeting and involving the broadest range of direct and indirect service users, citizens, customers, communities, and businesses.
  
• Support the delivery of the Councils’ key strategic aims and objectives ensuring understanding and commitment from staff from across the Finance service.
  
• Support Corporate and Directorate and service specific transformational change programmes with the aim of maximising efficiency, modernising services, and achieving better outcomes and opportunities for service users and customers.
  
• Ensure flexibility in reacting to the needs of the Council, its customers and partners supporting a culture of continuous improvement.
  
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, the Council’s standards of conduct, organisational policy, and professional codes of conduct to uphold standards of best practice.
  

Skills/Experience:

• Extensive knowledge of latest financial accounting standards and highly skilled at intercepting them.
  
• Extensive experience and knowledge of VAT, its application and implications on courses of action. 
  
• Substantial managerial experience and skills gained at a senior level, including contributing to the corporate management of an organisation where required. 
  
• Significant knowledge and experience of the development, agreement, and delivery of service plans.
  
• Sound understanding and practice of multi-disciplinary working.
  
• Demonstrable experience of the effective deployment, continuing development and supervision of professional and other staff resources. 
  
• Proven track record of establishing and managing partnerships/external stakeholder relationships.
  
• Change management experience at a lead and influence level. 
  

Additional Information:

• Fully qualified CCAB Accountant and with experience of working in a complex organisation.
  
• This post will be required to work across legacy council offices for meetings etc.