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Essex County Council
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Chelmsford, Essex
Part Time Assistant Accountant - Schools Finance
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Job Type: Full-time |
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Salary: £30,000 per annum |
Overview
Please note that this position is being offered on: A part time basis (22 hours per week - working pattern TBC) on a term time only basis i.e. 39 weeks plus 6.3 weeks accrued leave and bank holidays per year or A part time basis (19 hours per week - working pattern TBC) covering all 52 weeks of the year. Job Purpose The Assistant Accountant (Schools Finance) is responsible for the preparation of high quality financial advice, information, analysis and challenge to Head Teachers and Governing Bodies within the maintained schools sector. You will be the Finance Contact for a large number of schools, delivering timely, accurate financial analysis and challenge to ensure schools have effective management to operate within their budget allocation. In addition, you will be required to support schools that are in financial difficulty to prepare a realistic recovery plan to enable schools to return to a balanced position You will support the Management Accountant in consolidating financial reporting of maintained school finances to Heads of Finance and Functional Leadership Teams across the financial cycle and actively participate and contribute to projects. You will build effective relationships with internal services, Head Teachers and School Governors, in particular Chair and Finance committee leads and external partners (including Department of Education) and be able to influence, contribute and challenge at School meetings to ensure financial forecasts and recovery 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 Schools in accordance with School Financial Regulations, Consistent Financial Reporting, Scheme for Financing Schools and accounting standards. Service/Functional Accountabilities Deliver timely and accurate financial information including detailed analytics and trend analysis in the development of financial forecasts and future budget plans. Provide advice, challenge and support to schools to enable them to effectively manage their budgets, produce accurate financial forecasts and budget plans, and ensure they deliver value for money services. Ensure schools have the information they require to carry out their financial management duties in accordance with financial regulations, consistent financial reporting and accounting standards. Able to communicate effectively to non-financial school leads understanding their needs and provide a greatly valued service Provide analysis and modelling tools to enable schools to effectively interpret financial and performance data so that robust financial information and advice is available to inform the decision making of Headteachers and Governors. Develop a high level of specific school understanding and support Head Teachers / Governors to ensure they understand the medium term implications of their resourcing decisions. Where schools are in financial difficulty, ensure they deliver accurate financial estimates, forecasts and recovery plans that meet the Council's criteria, ensuring all assumptions 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 such as Head of Finance and meetings with headteachers and/or governors. 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 to ensure all schools deliver information in accordance with closure of accounts deadlines. Advise and ensure schools 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 Knowledge, skills and experience Minimum full AAT (Level 4) 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 the specifics around schools financing, financial management, financial planning and management for budgets and experience of providing financial advice to Head Teachers / Governors. 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. Experience of working in a large complex organisation and contributing to change. Experience of supporting multi-disciplinary teams to achieve service outcomes.