JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE
Senior Assistant Accountant Policy/Marketing/Tourism Finance Head of Management Accounts New Post C Lower, Role Profile 3 (Professional & Technical Job Family)
DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO POST HOLDER GRADE JOB PURPOSE
To work as a business partner to the associated directorates and provide a comprehensive financial package of services to the respective Directors. To be accountable for the financial monitoring of the 3 directorates Policy/Marketing/Tourism. ORGANISATION CHART HEAD OF BUSINESS ACCOUNTS
BUS SUPPORT ACCOUNTANT EI&S
48. BUS SUPPORT ACCOUNTANT INFRASTRUCTURE
BUS SUPPORT ACCOUNTANT CR
CENTRAL ACCOUNTANT
SENIOR ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
SR ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT POLICY/ MARKETING/TOUR
51. ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
54.ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT HR / CX
DIMENSIONS AND ROLE FOCUS Strategic The Agency has been through a period of re-structure in its development and delivery areas to ensure it is fit for purpose to deliver the RES and engage in relationship management across the sub regions. As a result of changes in the business finance is required to realign itself to deliver a quality business partner relationship. A number of smaller areas of operation that previously were part of an overarching umbrella will be independent in the new structure with separate reporting requirements, business emphasis, scope of activity and area of engagement. This role has emerged in order to manage and provide a finance business partner in the new context. These changes have also given momentum to a change in direction with programme Job Description Guidance 14.03.2006
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management more prominent than individual projects. This change has resulted in the infrastructure being required to support the changing processes and operations. This role is to support and introduce the framework to do this. Operational This role will involve understanding the information requirements, training needs, risks/opportunities, variance analysis of each of the self contained directorates. To support, advise and work in partnership with the three Directors in post. This post will report directly to the Head of Team and provide analysis on the areas within its span of control. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES • • • • • • • • • • •
• • •
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To prepare, communicate and lead the SIP Process for the associated directorates in line with the Agency business rules governing the process. To compile the annual budget inclusive of income, expenditure and overheads. To prepare the monthly management account information and standard variance analysis reporting. Delivery of year end management accounts and accurate accruals. To develop in depth understanding and analysis of specific project issues. To liaise with senior management across the directorates to support and focus the financial implications of the decision making process. To provide high quality management information. To ensure a depth and breadth of knowledge to be able to ensure appropriate accounting treatments are applied and adhered to in a control functionality. To advise and assist in the management process of the Northern Way funding and other initiatives impacting the Policy Directorate such as government reviews on structure, spending, reporting. Financial modelling of overprogramming and management of Programme Portfolios. To develop and maintain advanced level skills in the use of MS Office tools, in particular Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook thus enabling the creation, presentation and distribution of management information in a variety of formats. To complete a risk assessment of projects and manage the risk portfolio. To provide advice, guidance and identify/scope training requirements to nonfinance staff. Assist in the complex systems change to PMS involving projects and sub projects including procedures and documentation as to the impact on management accounts. To ensure system improvements in management accounts. To lead on ensuring the management accounts team are operating in an integrated relationship with Aptos utilisation/development and the corporate file plan requirements. To lead the department move to an integrated corporate file plan for KIA and to be the systems super user on knowledge and functionality
PLANNING AND ORGANISING The role is to provide customer focused management information, to ensure budget and forecast information accuracy and overall its timely delivery. The ability to plan, priortise and organise resources and requirements to deliver the required outcomes is essential.
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Understanding, communication and the management of initiatives such as overprogramming, programme management, Northern Way requires an organisational skill set to ensure full co-ordination. DECISION MAKING The role will involve making decsions surrounding the financial position of each of the directorates. Decisions will be in terms of how, what tools and methods will maximise financial management of the Income and Expenditure portfolio. RELATIONSHIPS •
Develop key stakeholder internal and external relationships that will contribute to effective and efficient working practices.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS • • • • • • •
Budget management of the directorates and delivery of financial objectives. Transparency of data, in depth understanding of the project portfolio, risks, opportunities and development areas. Good knowledge base. Performance appraisals documented and delivered. Achievement of deadlines with quality information. Feedback from business partners. Effective priortistation of own work load and the ability to effectively present and tailor information to the customer requirements. Contribution on systems developments.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE • • • • • • •
Relevant degree or equivalent qualification is desirable. Senior part qualified/final level CCAB accountant is essential. Suitable relevant management accounts experience in budget formulation/ management, variance analysis and reporting functionality is essential. Excel skills of an intermediate or advanced level. Good planning, prioritisation and interpersonal skills. An appreciation of how to manage initiatives and programmes of activity. An understanding of Public Sector accounting would be beneficial but not essential.
COMPETENCY PROFILE
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Building and Managing Relationships B Actively develops relationships o o o o
Opens discussions with others about the quality of working relationships in addition to task focus Has a strong, purposeful wide network of contacts Takes steps to manage how others view them Makes time to meet people and develop mutual understanding
Teamwork B Proactively engages others o o o o o
Identifies and responds when colleagues need support. Seeks help outside the immediate team when appropriate. Solicits help from colleagues e.g. an “expert� on a particular type of issue. Shares information, skills and ideas with others. Thinks of team performance in addition to the achievement of personal accountabilities.
Striving for Success C Sets and achieves targets o o o o
Regularly exceeds targets/expectations. Sets high standards for self and/or others. Has a drive to create and deliver own standards of excellence. Makes changes in methods of work to improve business results.
Service Orientation C Works to exceed customers expectations o o o o
Delivers more than was promised. Matches underlying customer needs with available or customised products or services. Offers the customer tailor-made solutions based on identified needs. Takes action for the customer beyond normal expectations.
Information Seeking B Digs deeper and performs systematic research o o o o o
Does not stop with the first answer or superficial information; finds out the underlying reasons why something has happened. Knows when it is appropriate to draw on previous experience and when to seek new information. Contacts others who are not personally involved to get their perspective or benefit from their experience. Over a limited period of time conducts an in-depth investigation, consulting a variety of resources, to answer a specific query or address a business issue. Builds up a broad understanding of the business operations.
Effective Influencing B Develops and implements influencing approaches o Adapts the content, style and tone of communications to the needs of the audience; varies the language and business terms with different customers. o Uses a combination of logical argument, personal conviction and passion to create a winning case. o Uses understanding of the organisation (culture, structure) to tailor the Job Description Guidance 14.03.2006
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SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT Minimum process: Panel Interview Competency Assessment
Additional relevant process: Presentation Written report Group Exercise In-tray exercise Case Study
JOBHOLDER SIGNATURE: IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR/ MANAGER SIGNATURE: DATE:
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