Overview

To support the Head of Finance and wider department in the provision of financial stewardship and business management support to efficiently and effectively deliver the OPCC's priorities.

The Role

Monday - Friday, 37 hours per week
Hybrid
3 months contract
£24.10 per hour / £31.56 umbrella rate

Principle Responsibilities

To deputise for the Head of Finance in times of absence/ unavailability and provide resilience across the other Accountants' portfolios and support the Head of Finance where appropriate in delivering robust business planning and business change initiatives. This will include the use of decision-making models to inform the business decision process.
To work with the other Senior Accountants to ensure that the priorities and demands of the Project/Assistant/Support Accountants, Cashier, Payments Team Leader, and Payments Assistants are managed effectively to ensure timely and accurate delivery of workload.
To motivate and develop staff, ensuring that objectives are clear and that individuals have the skills and competencies required to deliver the required levels of performance.
To deliver detailed requirements arising from the annual budget setting plan to ensure the annual budget is set in a timely and accurate manner and deliver portfolio input into periodic medium term financial planning, the delivery of financial strategy and the maintenance of the budgetary control system.
5 Work with and provide qualitative information to Workstream Leads and Department Heads and external stakeholders to develop formalised, structured engagement, which supports operational, tactical and strategic decision making. This engagement will include the provision of sound financial/business advice and guidance, in respect of internal financial regulations, financial conditions of service, value for money exercises, funding options and the interpretation of statute/White Papers/regulations.
To produce, quality assure, develop and refine the statutory financial statements in line with the CIPFA Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting and International Financial Reporting Standards.
To liaise with internal and external auditors to ensure systems and process changes are audit compliant and new recommendations are implemented within the appropriate timescales.
To maintain the OPCC's Financial Procedures Manual to ensure robust corporate governance and financial stewardship.
To attend Corporate Meetings and Boards to provide key financial information and support the decision making process.
To develop and maintain the OPCC's fixed asset register through the maintenance of statutory accounting records and capital returns.
To undertake the financial management and stewardship of externally funded grant schemes, including the accurate and timely completion of Grant returns and claims.
To undertake the production of both statutory and non-statutory returns for external regulatory bodies to ensure accurate and timely sharing of organisational data and performance.
To deliver an efficient and effective Treasury Management process to ensure appropriate investment of OPCC funds.
To provide financial appraisal support to user departments to assist in the assessment of potential external suppliers.
To ensure financial ledgers and related computer systems are maintained to ensure the completeness, relevance, accuracy and timeliness of financial/business information is upheld.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Must be a qualified CCAB accountant.
Must have 2 years post qualification experience of working within multi-disciplined financial arena.
Must have previous managerial and supervisory experience.
Must have previous experience of using computerised financial management information systems.
Must have previous experience in implementing Financial Management strategies, plans and policies.
Must have previous experience of providing financial management support to stakeholders.
Must have previous experience of analysing data using a variety of applications/methods including option appraisal techniques to provide management information.
Must have experience of producing Statutory Financial Statements and associated year end procedures.
Must have experience of delivering and decision making in relation to a treasury management function including the analysis and scheduling of investment opportunities in accordance with the PCC treasury management strategy.
Must have knowledge and experience of the financial flows relating to public bodies.
Must have a practical understanding of strategic financial planning and appreciation of risk management.
Must have a practical knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and Financial Reporting Standards.
Must have a practical knowledge of corporate and financial governance, including Financial Regulations and Manual of Governance
Must have knowledge of Treasury Management techniques and controls.

Senior Accountant