Principal Accountant

description: Principal Accountant Contract: 6–7 months Contract Working Pattern: Monday to Friday - (Hybrid/Flexible) Payrate: £31.85 per hr. via PAYE/£39.69 per hr. via Umbrella Location: Stevenage PURPOSE OF THE JOB To lead on the capital and fixed assets aspects of budget monitoring, closure of accounts, and budget setting, including the development and assessment of business cases. To manage the Treasury function. To ensure that policies and procedures are maintained and compliance achieved in these areas.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Be responsible for promoting best financial practice in relation to treasury and capital accounting and ensuring that the authority’s treasury, capital and fixed asset accounting arrangements comply with legislative and accounting standards and requirements (e.g. IFRS). Ensure that treasury and capital accounting processes and procedures are documented and kept up to date. Lead on the coordination of treasury and capital budgetary processes and the production of the Capital Programme within the medium term Integrated Planning process; including forecasting resources available to fund capital spend, and advising on their use. Input to Treasury Management and Capital Strategies, to ensure HCC is enabled to make decisions as necessary in accordance with the strategies, including ability to lend to HCC commercial companies. Lead on the co -ordination of the capital monitor and the development of monitoring processes to achieve optimal use of reporting (including responding to any changes in the core financial system) and to promote self-reliance in budget managers. Lead on the cashflow forecast, investment and borrowing requirements for HCC ensuring compliance and liquidity. Be accountable for the co-ordination and closure of treasury, capital and fixed asset aspects of the statement of accounts, all accounting entries, notes to the accounts and supporting working papers are completed on time and to a high standard. To support this, work closely with property, highways and technology services (including outsourced providers) to ensure fixed asset registers are maintained and reconciled. Manage year end valuations and debt management reporting. Manage the banking and third party contract arrangements. Be responsible for liaison with auditors on treasury, capital and fixed asset accounting issues, including agreement of any changes to accounting policies, and ensuring the prompt resolution of queries. Ensure all statutory returns relating to treasury and capital are submitted accurately and on time. Be accountable for the delivery of timely and business focussed capital financial advice to service boards and budget managers, working alongside the Finance Business Partner teams to link to revenue budget management as required. Manage the treasury and capital and fixed asset teams, ensuring that effective processes are in place for recruiting, developing, appraising, rewarding and retaining employees, promoting attendance and performance in line with Council policy. Identify and contribute to the realisation of opportunities for service improvement and increased efficiency, and communicate such change confidently, persuasively and authoritatively. Contribute to the development of the team’s understanding and delivery of the Council’s equalities and diversity agenda The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary

PERSON SPECIFICATION Please provide a supporting statement which includes examples and evidence of when you have demonstrated the attributes listed below. Qualifications: Finalist or fully qualified CCAB, or equivalent experience. Experience of treasury, capital and fixed asset accounting is desirable but not essential. Chartered accountant qualifications, fully AAT qualified could be considered if experienced. Some treasury qualifications would be considered based on accompanying experience. Looking for candidates with local government experience, in both treasury and capital, or either. Flexible hybrid set up. No DBS. This role does not include any line management and is to cover workload during a secondment, estimated length of role is 6/7 months. Knowledge: Ability to interpret, apply and explain financial policies, procedures, guidance, statutory requirements and legislation. Ability to handle large quantities of complex financial data, making effective use of multiple data sources (including ensuring that you have complete information) to carry out detailed financial analysis (including financial risk), and present the results in a clear concise way. Ability to problem solve and provide innovative solutions/ recommendations, including challenging existing practice. Able to analyse non-financial factors, wider implications (e.g. political, managerial, or equal opportunities) and key stakeholder needs. Ability to build effective relationships with all levels including senior management and partner organisations, creating trust and confidence. Ability to challenge, influence, persuade and negotiate. Ability to communicate effectively using appropriate channels and styles of communication, including written reports. Ability to plan and work independently, and ability to work effectively within and across teams and with other services. Ability to supervise, motivate and develop team members and manage team workloads. Ability to respond to feedback and make appropriate amendments. Experience: Proven track record of ability to consult, influence and advise consult and involve the Finance Community working alongside others to promote and drive through best financial practices across the organisation. Evidence of ability to make effective use of a number of data sources to obtain all appropriate data for a procurement, and to use available tools (e.g. spreadsheets, financial planning template) to carry out detailed data analysis and present information in a clear and concise manner. Evidence of ability to prepare reports (incorporating a number of uncertainties and presenting the effect of the inherent risk), including an analysis of non-financial considerations and key stakeholder needs. Ability to offer effective support and challenge to support the drafting of convincing & robust business cases. Evidence of ability to provide innovative solutions/ recommendations, including challenging existing practice and analysing non-financial factors, wider implications (e.g. political, managerial, or equal opportunities) and key stakeholder needs. If shortlisted, a recruiter from the team will contact you within 24–48 hours for an initial discussion. The call will come from a Manchester number (either 0161 or +44 161).