Group Accountant

Provide Revenue, Capital and Treasury accountancy services. Revenue

Coordinate the corporate Final Accounts process.

Assist in the coordination of the corporate budget process.

Assist in the coordination of the corporate budget monitoring process.

Provide a technical research and advice service relating to Local Government accounting.

Monitor compliance with accounting standards, legislative requirements and best practice relating to Local Government accounting. Manage a number of other functions provided by the team including:

Provision of Value Added Tax (VAT) Advice and completion of VAT returns.

Provision of Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) advice and completion of CIS returns.

Control account monitoring and reconciliation.

Administration of education trust funds.

The corporate ledger systems, including the provision of general ledger and purchase ledger services; ledger training development and security; the maintenance of a ledger helpdesk facility, and the administration of the corporate internal invoicing module. Capital

Coordinate the corporate capital accounting year end process.

Supervise the capital budget preparation, budget monitoring in respect of the capital accounts and within agreed timetables. Treasury Supervise the Treasury Management functions, including borrowing and investment. Supervise the banking arrangements for the Council. Supervise the bank reconciliation function. Supervise the administration of the Councils Petty Cash Accounts.

KEY RESULT AREAS Effective management of a team ensuring Council and HR policies are implemented and monitored. Ensure the Authoritys Statement of accounts is produced in line with the relevant regulatory and statutory requirements by the statutory deadline. Ensure the budgets input and maintained in the corporate ledger are reconciled and as per the agreed Council budget strategy. Ensure the day-to-day operations within the Treasury Management function operate in accordance with the Treasury Management Strategy. This includes making decisions on a daily basis to invest funds with external bodies based upon the available cash flows. Undertake budget preparation, budget monitoring and year end accounts closure tasks in respect the Authoritys Capital accounts in accordance with agreed timetables. Provide financial advice and guidance to budget holders. Ensure all statutory returns are completed and submitted to the relevant bodies by the stipulated deadlines. Ensure the ledger is structured and utilised in a manner that is consistent and compliant with accounting and creditor payment standards, legislative requirements and best practice relating to local government accounting and facilitates associated corporate financial reporting. Ensure the ledger provides the management information required for effective management of the Authoritys finances. DETAILED TASK PROFILE Coordinate and manage the corporate accounts closure each financial year. Coordinate the corporate annual closing of accounts timetable and associated notes of guidance. Prepare the Authoritys year-end consolidated accounts and the final Statement of Accounts. Account for the Authoritys corporate balance sheet and undertake all necessary ledger reconciliations up to trial balance stage. Liaise with the Authoritys external auditors to ensure t the Authority complies with all statutory and regulatory requirements in closing its accounts. Ensure all the Authoritys accounting staff comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements in preparing their service accounts. Oversee the submission of the Authoritys corporate Revenue Outturn Return to the Welsh Assembly Government by the stipulated deadline. Coordinate the completion of the Authoritys corporate Revenue Account Return and ensure submission to the Welsh Government by the stipulated deadline. ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Accountancy qualification or equivalent. For example Level 6 (Degree) Accountancy, AAT. Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) recognised qualification. KNOWLEDGE Detailed knowledge of local authority accounting standards and associated legislative requirements. Knowledge of the Councils Financial Regulations / Standing Orders. Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting. CIPFA Service Reporting Code of Practice. CIPFA Prudential Code. CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice. Anti-money laundering legislation. Preparation of Local Authority statutory accounts. Knowledge of Ledger systems and their administration and management. Knowledge of taxation and its application in a local government environment. SKILLS Computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications. Proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis. Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to communicate effectively at all levels both written and verbal. Ability to plan, monitor and meet tight deadlines. Ability to communicate technical issues in a clear and understandable manner. Methodical approach and attention to detail. Mathematical ability. Welsh language skills. An imaginative, creative and flexible approach to problem solving and the demands of the job. Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.