JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO POST HOLDER GRADE
Technical Accountant Finance Head of Financial Accounts Vacancy B Upper, Role Profile 4 (Professional & Technical Job Family)
JOB PURPOSE To provide controls, guidance and advice on Financial Compliance and Financial Reporting technical issues. The application of adequate professional judgement on often complex technical accounting issues, and ensuring a customer led and stakeholder focussed service. To ensure that changes in Accounting rules and legislation which impact upon the Agency are implemented promptly and accurately. ORGANISATION CHART
Head of Financial Accounts
Financial Accountant
Technical Accountant
EU Accountant
Specialist Accountant – Technical (SPV,PPP)
Assistant Accountant
Taxation Accountant
Specialist Accountant – Reporting (e.g. RAB)
DIMENSIONS
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To keep abreast of all developments on Financial Accounting and Reporting issues, (e.g. analysis and interpretation of UK Accounting Standards, Companies Acts, Government Accounting and FREM).
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To oversee the implementation of International Accounting Standards. To interpret and illustrate the potential impact and changes to the Agency’s existing Financial reporting model.
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Provide overall Quality control, to ensure that all Finance related work is technically accurate and that where necessary professional judgment is applied.
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Ensure that Finance department activities are fully compliant with latest Government Accounting and regulations and directives.
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Ensure compliance with Internal Audit recommendations for Finance department.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Provide expert advice on technical accounting issues impacting upon the Agency.
2. Ability to work on own initiative to resolve complex technical accounting issues to support the work of colleagues.
3. Perform sample checks of all types of posting into Aptos and review for authenticity, accuracy, completeness, proper authority, and audit trails.
4. Interpretation of new RABIG’s and all Government Accounting directives. Drafting briefing notes to Executive Director in clear and concise format, whilst capturing all pertinent issues impacting upon the Agency. 5. Interpretation of both new and developments of existing Accounting Standards (both IFRS, and UK GAAP). 6. To write and make formal presentations on wide range of technical accounting issues to both finance and non finance agency staff. 7. To advise on the technical accounting issues relating to setting up of Financial Accounts consolidation model.
PLANNING AND ORGANISING • Prioritisation of own workload on a day-to-day basis.
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Supervising and planning work of direct reports
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Highlighting early the impact of forthcoming and newly implemented Accounting rules and legislation, upon the Agency.
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Identification of suitable technical accounting courses for Finance staff.
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Working in a team environment, the post holder will be required to manage a diverse workload of reactive and proactive activities. The role therefore demands significant and planning and time management skills, effective prioritisation and flexibility to react.
DECISION MAKING
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The postholder will be required to make ongoing recommendations for continuous improvements for Financial Accounting procedures and systems.
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The potholder will be expected to exercise professional judgment and to take decisions and to give clear direction on courses of action after consideration of often complex technical accounting issues.
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The post holder will need to decide which changes in Accounting rules, regulations, and legislation have a direct impact upon the Agency, and to prioritise the implementation of changes.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS Effective management of internal and external relations using tact, persuasion and teamwork, exchanging routine and non routine information clearly so that the recipient can understand and act upon it as required. Possessing a high degree of interpersonal skills and utilising these to build trust and confidence across the Agency, and with external agencies, including Government Departments. Possessing the credibility and presence required to represent the Agency in discussions, negotiations and meetings with external agencies, including Government Departments. Possessing the influencing skills to sell change to other Agency staff, and the ability to provide reasoned argument to explain why change is necessary or desirable KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED
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The post holder should be a CCAB qualified accountant (preferably ACA, ACCA CIPFA) with progressively responsible experience.
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Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification.
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Proven post qualification experience in a Financial Accounting environment. (preferably Public Sector).
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Experience of managing and supervising the work of others.
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Good report writing and analytical skills.
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Understanding of Public Sector Accounting requirements or can demonstrate ability to quickly gain new knowledge and show appreciation of ‘accountability’ in the public sector.
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Advanced knowledge and proven ability in the use of Office and financial software applications is required.
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Relationship building skills.
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Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including formal presentations
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Ability to work efficiently and effectively without constant supervision or direction.
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Ability to influence in a variety of situations.
SPECIAL FEATURES Highly technical, advisory role. Therefore must demonstrate knowledge of and a real interest in technical accounting issues. Also understand main features of Public Sector Accounting. Candidate must be an effective communication and be able to translate complex accounting issues into easily understandable format WHERE DOES THIS ROLE NEED TO BE BASED Renaissance House COMPETENCY PROFILE Competencies Building and Managing Relationships B Actively develops relationships • 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 • Takes part in professional association or other similar social and networking events Developing Others B Manages staffs performance • • • • •
Assist with an individuals formal development planning Expresses positive expectations about potential for performance improvement Gives balance, constructive and evidenced based feedback on performance Takes time to discus performance in addition to formal appraisal Clarifies in terms of competencies and output performance requirements
Leadership B Promotes team effectiveness
• Encourages all group members to participate fully to build team effectiveness. • Integrates the skills and abilities of the team to create a successful unit. • Actively takes steps to build the team in order to promote group morale. Represents interests of their team/function within NWDA. • Takes responsibility for performance and general feedback about the team.
Planning and Organising B Develops realistic estimates and plans • • • •
Allows a degree of flexibility into plans to accommodate changing circumstances. Keeps others informed of any changes to plans / service delivery. Monitors progress against key milestones on an ongoing basis. Conducts post-project reviews.
Service Orientation D Builds a partnership • Has a relationship with customers based on a complex understanding of their needs and their inter dependence • Develops and amends services to meet the long term requirements of customers. • Advises customers on ways in which they can assist and support them more effectively. Teamwork B Proactively engages others • • • • •
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.
SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT Minimum process: Panel Interview R Competency Assessment R
JOBHOLDER SIGNATURE: IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR/ MANAGER SIGNATURE: DATE:
Additional relevant process: Presentation R Written report 0 Group discussion 0 In-tray exercise 0