Senior Accountancy Technician

Senior Accountancy Technician – Cheshire East Council – CW1 2JZ

12 Months Contract

37 hours per week

Hybrid

We are looking for a Senior Accountancy Technician based at Floor 3, Delamere House, CW1 2JZ
.

The post is working withing the Place Finance team and supports the Finance business partner in the delivery of the annual cycle of closure of accounts, in-year monitoring, and budget setting work to services such as Libraries and Housing. Experience of providing finance support to managers would be essential.

The post is hybrid so a mix of office and home working. We prefer to have candidates who can come into the office in Crewe, Cheshire on a regular basis (2 - 3 times a month) as determined by business need - and to attend the office on a daily basis for the first 4 - 8 weeks for training.

• Advise and liaise with operational managers and within the Finance Service to ensure that detailed capital and revenue budgets are prepared and maintained in order to meet the Council's Financial Standing Orders and current policies and guidelines.
• Collate and analyse financial information and provide an advisory service to individual operational managers to satisfy their needs and meet the corporate requirements of the Council.
• Provide and evaluate data for incorporation within financial reports to committees to ensure that decisions are taken with full knowledge of all resource implications.
• Maintain and lead on the development of computerised accounting and other systems to satisfy manager's and corporate needs, ensuring the preparation of final accounts and related returns for specific areas of responsibility allocated to the job, to meet with the Council's procedures and statutory obligations and timetables.
• Review, in conjunction with individual operational managers, performance against targets to ensure that appropriate actions are taken in accordance with current financial and service policies and guidelines.
• Lead, Initiate and maintain relationships with schools with clients, suppliers and other relevant parties, to ensure effective day to day operation of the team and take remedial action to maintain continuity of service and high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Ensure, for all areas of activity covered by the job, that all relevant returns and grant claims are submitted to meet specified return dates and that appropriate payments are initiated and income accounted for to optimise cash flow to the Council.
• Supervise a team of Accounting Technicians and finance trainees in the delivery of a Financial Service to internal and external clients, including schools.

• Member of Association of Accounting Technicians, or equivalent professional qualification, or degree level qualification in a relevant field.
• Commitment to continuing academic, personal and professional development.
• Accounting standards, codes of practice and legislation encompassed in statutory regulations.
• Sound working knowledge of financial practices and procedures.
• Detailed working knowledge and practical expertise in the use of PC and mainframe systems.
• Audit principles and practice.
• Risk management.
• Financial policy and planning principles.
• Understanding of accounting standards and all relevant legislation encompassed in statutory regulations.
• Working knowledge and understanding of Council financial practices and procedures, or equivalent.
• Understanding of data protection, freedom of information and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to analyse and present financial data, statistics and trends in a meaningful way.
• Ability to develop and deliver financial training to clients.
• Advisory, guiding, persuasive and negotiation skills.
• Ability to win the confidence and respect of colleagues and clients.
• Ability to exercise technical judgement in identifying and resolving problems.
• Ability to work accurately and methodically, with attention to detail.
• Resourceful, with a capacity for practical problem solving.
• Confidence in dealing with clients, senior managers and colleagues.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written - able to convey complicated financial information to a range of audiences in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work to prescribed standards and deadlines with the minimum of supervision.
• Ability to supervise, coach staff and contribute to technical skills development within the team.
• Ability to exercise initiative and to work independently. Initiative, enthusiasm and commitment.
• Proven track record of conscientious application, reliability and concern for quality performance.
• Evidence of ability to make a constructive contribution to team and group working.
• Competence in task, and client management.
• Flexible approach to work.
• Willingness and ability to travel as necessary.
• The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken.
• English is essential for the post.