Reading Borough Council.

Directorate of Resources

Finance Manager- Technical
Permanent
Full time 37 hours
RG9 (scp 45-scp 50) gateway at scp 48
£48,847 - £54,878

Work with the Chief Accountant to develop, implement and maintain improved technical accounting practices and standards within Reading Borough Council. This will require influencing the wider Finance Team to drive improvements. You will support the setting and subsequently maintaining of internal technical accounting standards, systems and processes to ensure that the Council can swiftly and accurately report its financial performance.

About the role

Support the delivery of the annual Statement of Accounts in accordance with the CIPFA Accounting Code, contributing to setting and achieving standards to ensure sound financial control within the Council.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Liaise with internal and external auditors as required in their scrutiny of the Council’s financial controls, reporting arrangements and other activities;
• Maintain the integrity of the balance sheet (including provisions and reserves) and actively manage control accounts throughout the year to ensure that year-end closedown is completed swiftly and accurately with no material errors;
• Ensure the accurate and timely production of all required reconciliations in accordance with agreed timetables;
• Working with the Financial Systems Team, assist with the maintenance of the General Ledger system and Chart of Accounts, in conjunction with interface systems, to deliver accurate and timely reporting from the system;
• Work with the Chief Accountant on the submission of corporate grant claims on behalf of the Authority, ensuring that signatories to claims can place reliance on their accuracy;
• To analyse changes in accounting practice and the impact on the Council along with the interpretation of national legislation.
• Supporting stakeholders in an advisory capacity leveraging complex technical expertise or experience as required
• Influencing and managing relationships with stakeholders (teams, functional, external) to enable the successful delivery of activities and projects.

About you

The following experience is required for this role:

• Degree or equivalent
• Qualified Accountant (CCAB or CIMA)
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Substantial workplace experience within a local government/complex organisational context.
• Working with complex financial accounting systems and connected reporting tools.
• Coaching and supporting staff
• Reviewing and improving financial controls
• Year end closing processes including contributing to the completion of the Statement of Accounts.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 24 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 32 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact pennafamilysourcing@penna.com

Closing Date: Friday 26th November 2021 at 23:59

Interview Date: Early – Mid December 2021

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is the key to our success.

Please follow the link below for the Job Description.