EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & CORPORATE SUPPORT

JOB OUTLINE

Post:Group Finance Manager – Departmental

Grade:G13

Reporting to:Corporate Accounting Manager

Direct Reports:Senior accountant

Accountant

Support staff

Job Purpose: To lead and manage an accounting team (departmental) within the Finance Servicein supporting the achievement of the council’s key strategic aims and objectives and to ensure a consistent approach is adopted in the conduct and development of financial management for a department .

A. Areas of Responsibility
  1. Lead on planning and coordinating the work of a group finance team.
  1. Support the Corporate Accounting Manager in preparing the annual revenue budget for a designated department, in accordance with agreed timescales.
  1. Support the ongoing development of excellent financial literacy and awareness within a designated department.
  1. Prepare and manage the production of regular revenue monitoring statements and reports for senior departmental managers.
  1. Support, challenge and provide financial and professional advice which will influence the decision making processes of the financial management arrangements within a designated department.
  1. Assist the Corporate Accounting Manager in ensuring compliance with statutory reporting requirements associated with the annual closure of accounts and statutory returns.

B. Functional Responsibilities

  1. Support the production of the annual financial statements, through the timely submission of information relating to a designated department.
  1. Support the Corporate Accounting Manager in the annual budget process by ensuring, for a designated department, the timely return of all templates and information requests to the Central Team.
  1. Manage an operational accounting team, providing robust professional support and advice to managers within a designated department.
  1. Provide support to departmental managers and operational staff to maintain financial performance in a designated department and undertake research in respect of financial issues as required.
  1. Coordinate the work required to develop a robust suite of cost information (including unit costs) for all services.
  1. Ensure appropriate budgetary control systems are in place to effectively manage and report on a designated department’s revenue budget.
  1. Ensure completion ofstatutory returns (including POBE and LFR) and provide the financial information required for departmental grant claimsin accordance with agreed timescales.
  1. Ensure the internal and financial control environment within a designated department is working effectively. This will include compliance with APB’s, Financial Regulations and other appropriate guidance.
  1. Ensure compliance with appropriate governance arrangements within a designated department, and liaise with the Financial Controller and departmental Chief Officers in cases of non compliance.
  1. Ensure compliance with national accounting standards, codes of practice, financial regulations and directions issued by the Head of Finance.
  1. Review policy,legislative and operational developments and their impact on financial management within a designated department, and report as necessary to the Head of Finance and departmental Chief Officers.
  1. Promote partnership working internally with key colleagues, specifically the other Group Finance Managers to ensure the development of effective and productive working arrangements across the Finance Service.
  1. Monitor and advise on the strategic financial implications/considerations of the Community Plan, Best Value Continuous Improvement and other corporate efficiency initiatives adopted by the Council.
  1. Ensure that all relevant processes are managed in accordance with the principles of the Council’s PRINCE 2 methodology including Planning, Control and Risk Management to ensure consistency of approach in project planning across the departments.

C. General Management Responsibilities/Key Result Areas

  1. Contribute to the development of relevant policies, procedures and strategies relating to the area of responsibility and ensure effective and efficient implementation.
  1. Ensure the effective management of all employeeswithin thesection in accordance with the Council’s human resources policies.
  1. Manage effectively all resources such as buildings, equipment and other assets.
  1. Manage the service’s finances and budgets effectively in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations to ensure the most cost-effective delivery of services.
  1. Maintain and develop effective information and administrative systems.
  1. Promote the health and safety of employees at work and of service users through the implementation of the Council and departmental Health and Safety Policies in accordance with all relevant statutory requirements, leading by example.
  1. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of best practice within areas of functional responsibility and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation.
  1. Ensure that the section’s services are provided within a Best Value/quality framework and that performance is regularly monitored and continuous improvement achieved.
  1. Prepare reports to Council on areas of financial performance, budget monitoring and other operational accountingmatters as appropriate.
  1. Develop and promote equalities and diversity both in terms of service delivery and in employment in all aspects of the Council activities.
  1. Attend the Council, Cabinet, Committees, Sub-Committees and working groups etc as appropriate.
  1. Develop and foster good working relationships including liaising with Elected Members, employees, external bodies and agencies.
  1. Represent the department at appropriate external events and meetings in accordance with the remit and status of the post.
  1. Support theCorporate Accounting Manager in the management of the service.
  1. Ensure the EAGER process is conducted annually for all direct reports and that employees are clear about the role they have in delivering the Council’s vision and the Community plan.

This description is indicative of the nature and level of responsibilities associated with this job. It is not exhaustive and the job holder will be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grade.

EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & CORPORATE SUPPORT

PERSON SPECIFICATION

POST:Group Finance Manager (Departmental)
SERVICE:Finance Service
SECTION:Corporate Accounting
ATTRIBUTES / ESSENTIAL
The minimum acceptable levels for safe and effective job performance / DESIRABLE
The attributes of the ideal candidate
PROFESSIONAL/ EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS –
  • Qualified accountant with post qualification membership of a CCAB professional accounting body
/
  • Management qualification

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE –
  • Substantial recent experience of financial and management accounting in local government
  • Good working knowledge of financial management systems.
  • Experience of constructive partnership working across departments and services.
  • Experience of constructively challenging senior managers
  • Experience of supporting services to attract external funding (eg grants)
/
  • IT literate with good working knowledge of MS Office or similar.
  • Experience of multi agency working.
  • Experience in developing and monitoring external funding governance frameworks

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS –
  • Good communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to translate complex and technical issues concisely and effectively into a format that can be understood across different audiences
  • Ability to work under pressure to deadlines, plan ahead and deliver to agreed timetables
  • Change management skills
  • Excellent technical accounting knowledge
/
  • Understanding of public sector improvement agenda

PERSONAL FEATURES/QUALITIES –
  • Innovative, imaginative and forward thinking
  • Ability to demonstrate diplomacy, integrity and confidentiality
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Self awareness
  • Evidence of CPD
/
  • Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment

ANY ADDITIONAL JOB RELATED REQUIREMENTS–
  • Ability to travel throughout East Ayrshire to attend meetings
/
  • Driving Licence

If this job is not suitable for job sharing PLEASE state reasons: / PREPARED BY:J. McLachlan
DESIGNATION:Corporate Accounting Mgr
DATE: 12 MARCH 2012
APPROVED BY:CRAIG McARTHUR
DESIGNATION:HEAD OF FINANCE
DATE: 12 March 2012