Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Head Accountant for our client a local government organisation in Devon.
The successful candidate will provide strategic advice and to ensure the provision of comprehensive financial services across a wide range of disparate services.
This will include the analysis of complex financial information; financial monitoring, planning and budgeting; financial advice on operations and strategic plans and their impact; closure of the financial accounts; and the implementation, review and improvement of financial processes.
This role is a 5 month initial contract with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working with 2 – 3 days in the office.
Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to:
- Provide Financial services to specific business areas. Key to this area will be the ability to apply judgement from experience and professional knowledge to draw conclusions, influence Heads of Service, in the resolution of conflicting issues and budgetary demands.
- Manage and direct the staff within the Group in all aspects of their work and to ensure that they are properly trained and achieve the standards of financial competence and expertise required whilst ensuring that team resources fit annual budget targets as established by the finance Management team. This will include management of cultural change to achieve the transformation agenda.
- Ensure all financial information, accounts and budgets are produced and reported accurately and consistently, and comply with all financial legislation, regulations and standards set by the County Treasurer.
- Develop and extend the services currently provided to existing and new customers, as well as exploring new areas of financial support services. In order to maintain the quality and high level of expertise within the financial Support Service Unit. Driving the change agenda.
- Provide financial advice, direction setting, and financial management support to the officers and Members of the authority within the service area to which they are responsible.
- Ensure that budget details are produced in line with targets established by cabinet, as communicated by Corporate Finance and passed on to Chief Officers and Heads of Service.
- Improve and enhance the efficiency of an automated budget preparation, monitoring and accounts close down procedures. Continually assess current practice within Finance to anticipate and adapt to the future requirements of the organisation.
Personal Requirements:
- Local Government and Adult Social Care experience required.
- Must be experienced in managing change, exploiting new opportunities and developing a positive performance management and improvement culture.
- Essential that the post holder has working knowledge of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting, Service Reporting Code of Practice and International Financial Reporting Standards (IGAAP).
- A detailed knowledge of local authority accounting regulations and codes of Practice.
- Qualified Accountant, e.g. CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA or other equivalent qualifications/experience.
- Depth of knowledge in all aspects of financial management.
Working Hours: 37hrs / 9:00am – 17:00pm / Monday to Friday
Pay: £42.23 per hr (Rate Negotiable)
Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.
