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Assistant Accountant x 2

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
Chelmsford, UK
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Nov 21, 2019

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Job Role
Assistant Accountant
Sector
Finance
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda - one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We're immensely proud of our flexible working options. Job Purpose The Assistant Accountant is responsible for the preparation of high-quality financial advice, information, analysis and challenge to budget holders and senior officers. As the Finance contact, you will support a range of significant high risk/volatile services in delivering timely and accurate financial information and advice to front line budget holders to ensure effective management of their budgets and assist them in carrying out their financial duties. You will support the Management Accountant in consolidating financial reporting to Heads of Finance, Senior Managers of Leadership Teams across the financial cycle and actively participate and contribute to projects. You will build effective relationships with internal colleagues and budget holders and external partners and be able to influence, contribute and challenge to ensure financial forecasts and future budget plans are based on robust financial information. You will be an AAT qualified professional with strong technical and systems knowledge to actively contribute and support/instruct/advise budget holders in accordance with Financial Regulations and accounting standards. Deliver timely and accurate financial information including detailed analytics and trend analysis in the development of financial forecasts and future budget plans. Accountabilities Provide advice, challenge and support to ensure the effective management of budgets, delivery of accurate financial forecasts and budget plans, and ensure they deliver value for money services. Ensure budget holders carry out their financial management duties in accordance with financial regulations and accounting standards. Able to communicate effectively to non-financial customers understanding their needs and provide a greatly valued service. Provides analysis, modelling and interpretation of financial and performance data to senior officers/budget holders ensure the business underpin decision making with robust financial information and advice. Develop a high level of service/function/organisation understanding and support budget holders to ensure they understand the implications of unit costs and interpret variances. Deliver accurate financial estimates, forecasts and plans, ensuring all risks are quantified, monitored and mitigations appropriately recorded. Able to effectively communicate and explain all material variances and how this may affect financial plans to Management Forums and Leadership Teams Develop a strong understanding of all financial management and reporting systems and processes in order to support the development and enhancement of system and process improvements. Support the Financial System and Processes Manager in the development of the Finance Hub to deliver sound financial reporting, management and control across ECC and to external bodies. Supports and co-ordinates the timely delivery and preparation of information to ensure quality of financial information for both business cases or projects. Train, advise and support with budget holders to ensure all budget holders deliver information in accordance with closure of accounts deadlines. Advise and ensure budget holders are aware of their responsibilities in accordance with Finance Regulations and accounting standards. Deliver all finance deadlines within timelines as defined by the Chief Accountant. Deliver analysis, interpretation and support of financial and performance data to complete financial returns, questionnaires and information requests as required Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Minimum full AAT qualification or equivalent plus one year's experience as an Accounting Technician. Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area. Knowledge and understanding of financial management, financial planning and management for budgets and experience of providing financial advice to budget holders. Experience of working with a range of financial systems and processes Evidence of working collaboratively and engaging with senior managers and finance colleagues across the finance function, together with good communication skills. (Qualification certificates should be brought to interview). Rewards Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found on the Working for Essex websit

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