Job description Accountant

To deliver a first class, value for money finance service that meets legal requirements, the needs of customers and the aims and
objectives of both the Finance service and the Company.

To participate in the delivery of:

 The Corporate Resources directorate`s budget setting and medium term financial planning processes-including (supporting) the production of directorate, service and work plans which link with the directorate`s performance management plans and processes.

-Financial advice in respect of budget setting and financial planning.
-Effective working relationship between key stakeholders
-Integration of revenue and capital planning and control
-Appropriate controls to ensure service delivery is met
-Compliance with current guidelines, protocols and legislation
-Regular accurate financial reports
-Finance and accounting activities of the directorate
-Final accounts process

 Key financial processes across the directorate
Professional and managerial support to the team and provision of financial advice
Effective finance support to the directorate and key stakeholders.

DETAILED SUMMARY OF KEY ACTIVITIES
 Job description Accountant [cont]

1 The provision of effective professional finance support including service-based revenue
and capital accounting and implementation of new initiatives. This will include liaison with senior operational managers and budget holders.

2 Identifying appropriate financial risks resulting from changes in the political, technological social environment.

3 Delivering the service based budget setting and medium term financial planning processes, including planning, implementation, review, critical appraisal and reporting.

4 Delivering the service based annual final accounts process, including monitoring, review and reporting. Liaison with the District Auditor throughout the annual external audit.

5 Delivering the service based budget monitoring and financial reporting processes, planning and delivering regular reports and reviewing performance indictors.[cont right]

 6 Ensuring compliance with corporate budget preparation, monitoring, reporting and final
accounts guidelines and other financial and relevant corporate procedures and protocols,
particularly the budget management & control manual. This includes both revenue and
capital.

7 The drafting of, responses to relevant national consultation documents, proposed technical
guidance and White Papers etc. appropriate to service areas, including reporting to senior
finance officers as required.

8 Drafting reports for, and attend meetings as representative of Finance i.e. Strategic
Planning Group, etc plus management teams, working parties and other internal and
external meetings. Active participation in all such meetings will be required.

9 Maximising external funding to support service delivery and improvement and ensuring
proper financial controls and monitoring are in place, within current frameworks and with
regard to the Authority`s Accountable Body Status protocol.

10 Ensuring adequate systems and arrangements are in place for co-ordination, bidding and
monitoring of all grant and other external funding income, including the completion of grant
claims where necessary, responses to Audit Commission, and associated queries.

11 Implementing and delivering financial and operational performance targets, in conjunction
and cooperation with the directorates senior management team.

12 Ensuring that written procedures for all team roles are prepared and regularly maintained.

Job description Accountant [cont]

13 To effectively contribute to in-service activities, for example, service planning and development, Best Value, Investors in People, CRE, CPA etc.

14 Developing staff within the team, to ensure delivery of key targets and full application of the performance management framework within the team.

15 Ensuring the council achieves value for money in all activities

16 Ensuring appropriate governance arrangements are in place for all partnership working
arrangements

17 Ensuring appropriate internal controls are established and working to meet s151 officers
responsibilities.

18 All duties must be undertaken within the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy and with regard to the current Code of Conduct.

19 Any other duties commensurate with the grade required to deliver and develop the service
as it supports the Council`s vision, aims and objectives