Children's Social Care Senior Accountant/Finance Manager

We are currently working with a Midlands based Local Council who are looking for a skilled Children’s Social Care Finance Manager/Senior Accountant to effectively support the Councils Section 151 Officer through the provision of high-quality financial advice to Members, the Directorate Leadership Team and Corporate Leadership Team.

Children’s Social Care Finance Manager/Senior Accountant

Duration: 4 months Initially

Rate: £500 per day inside IR35

DBS: Standard DBS required-can be obtained upon placement

Working Pattern: Hybrid

Main Duties

• To work with the Service Team Managers in conjunction with the Senior Leadership Teams to define, agree and deliver service priorities including, but not limited to, the delivery of the SMBC Medium Term Financial Strategy, Top 5 Council priorities and other major projects.
• To deliver corporate financial requirements in line with internal and external regulations and timescales.
• To play a key role in the co-ordination of the financial forecast reporting.
• To play a key role in the strategic budget process for SMBC and manage detailed reviews of the relevant base budgets.
• To apply technical expertise/professional analysis to high level problem resolution, using consistent technical judgement to guide decision making.
• To provide high-level technical expertise or professional advice, to maintain and/or develop systems and processes to support compliance with the relevant legislation and statutory duties and to facilitate the delivery of effective services including support to policy development and policy review.
• To assist in the monitoring and recording of the service teams’ output against performance targets and to take any corrective action as required.
• Provide interpretation, advice and guidance on the operation and implementation of external regulations and statutory requirements and internal financial regulations.
• Prepare reports of a high standard to DLTs, the Corporate Leadership Team, Member Executive, Scrutiny and other Senior Manager meetings.
• Contribute positively to key meetings including but not limited to Cabinet Member Decision and Scrutiny sessions, DLTs, CLT and Financial Leadership Team meetings.
• Take a role in the development of policies and procedures which meet the social, economic, legal or technical demands on the organisation in relation to finance and which can be seen to have a major impact on the operation of, or strategy across, services or directorates.
• To ensure that all Council financial policies, processes, practices and systems are operated and implemented in accordance with the relevant requirements.
• To work alongside the Team Finance Manager with the Director of Resources to support the corporate budget setting process and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.
• To assist in the provision of core financial revenue and capital forecasts – salaries, income and contracts.
• Provide balance sheet monitoring and control where appropriate.
• Provide Technical Accountancy support on both revenue and capital requirements throughout the year to ensure compliance with International Financial reporting Standards (IFRS) and other SORP requirements.
• Take a key role in ensuring the final accounts process is completed including the revenue, capital management accounts closedown and balance sheet integrity.

Requirements

• Fully qualified Accountant (Current Member of CCAB or CIMA)
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Experience of working in a performance driven professional finance environment
• Experience of managing a financial team and working closely with other teams to deliver tangible outcomes
• Understanding of Financial Procedures and the financial cycle
• Knowledge of Financial Regulations Standing Orders and legislation affecting financial matters
• Experience of interpreting and applying finance related legislation.
• Knowledge of public sector accounting including an appreciation of Directorate responsibilities and policies
• Understanding of Member and Officer delegations
• Technical knowledge of producing public or private sector accounting
• Experience of validating other people’s work including reports and ensuring the financial implications are sound, accurate and timely
• Experience of delivering value for money services, including knowledge and application of “lean” principles or equivalent techniques.
• Experience of reviewing and developing accounting procedures, processes and policies
• Experience of dealing with internal and external auditors on financial and other issues
• Experience of financial modelling and analysis to assist decision making

If the above role is of interest , please send a copy of your most recent CV to dpalmer@venngroup.com or call us on 07441 916439 and myself or a member of my team will be in touch to discuss further.