Job Description
Job Purpose
To manage and deliver the day‑to‑day financial accounting activities of the Authority, ensuring accurate statutory reporting, compliance with accounting standards and legislation, and the maintenance of strong financial controls.
The postholder will play a key role in supporting the production of the annual Statement of Accounts, coordinating the closure of accounts process, and acting as a technical lead on financial accounting matters, while managing and developing staff within the Financial Accounting team.
Competency Framework Level
| General Competencies | |
| All Staff |
|
Senior Manager
| Leadership & Direction | |
| Senior Manager |
|
| Communication & Influence | |
| Senior Manager |
|
| Experience & Technical | |
| Senior Manager |
|
| Responsibility & Accountability | |
| Senior Manager |
|
Duties & Responsibilities
- Manage, support, and develop staff within the Financial Accounting team.
- Allocate work effectively, ensuring priorities and deadlines are clearly understood.
- Contribute to a positive, high-performance team culture.
- Support the Head of Financial Accounting in delivering service objectives
- Lead on aspects of the annual Statement of Accounts, ensuring compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice and statutory requirements.
- Coordinate elements of the closedown process, including the preparation and review of working papers and disclosures.
- Ensure accurate and timely completion of reconciliations and supporting schedules
- Support the delivery of statutory deadlines.
- Provide technical accounting support across the Authority, including areas such as capital accounting, leases, pensions, and provisions.
- Ensure accurate application of accounting standards and relevant guidance.
- Support managers and budget holders with accountingrelated queries.
- Act as a key point of contact for audit queries within areas of responsibility.
- Support the management of internal and external audit processes, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
- Implement agreed audit recommendations within agreed timescale.
- Ensure adherence to financial regulations, policies, and governance frameworks.
- Support treasury management activities, including monitoring borrowing, investments, and cash flow
- Assist with the preparation of reports relating to treasury management.
- Ensure financial systems are used effectively and in line with best practice.
- Contribute to improvements in financial systems, processes, and controls.
- Maintain the integrity of the balance sheet through regular monitoring and reconciliation of key accounts.
- Investigate and resolve issues arising in a timely and effective manner.
- Ensure robust financial controls operate effectively within areas of responsibility.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Authority to support delivery of corporate objectives.
- To act as an ambassador for the Tees Valley, promoting the interests of the sub region both nationally and internationally and raising the profile and reputation of the organisation.
- To adhere to all policies, practices and procedures with regard to financial management, legal matters including, procurement and those associated with the workforce including Health
- and Safety, promoting employee engagement and ensuring good practice is in place.
- Undertake any other duties that may be deemed reasonable to meet the duties and responsibilities of the post and undertake any training that is identified as being required to achieve
- this.
- To take reasonable care of your own Health and Safety and co-operate with management, so far as is necessary, to enable compliance with the health and safety rules and legislative
- requirements.
- Work flexibly and undertake such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grading and nature of the post.
- Ensure compliance with corporate governance procedures, procurement regulations and the Data Protection Act and behave according to the Employees’ Code of Conduct.
Specific Skills & Qualifications
Qualifications
- Minimum Part qualified accountant (e.g. ACCA, CIPFA, ICAEW or equivalent).
Experience
- Significant senior-level experience in financial accounting, within local government or the public sector.
- Proven experience of producing local authority statutory accounts and managing the audit process.
- Strong understanding of public sector financial frameworks and regulations.
Skills & Knowledge
- In-depth knowledge of local authority accounting requirements and the CIPFA Codes of Practice.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
Personal Attributes
- High integrity and commitment to public service values.
- Resilient, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Proactive and committed to continuous improvement.
Key Relationships
- Group Director of Finance & Resources (Section 73 Officer)
- Head of Financial Management
- External auditors and regulatory bodies
- Internal auditors
- Corporate risk, assurance and governance leads
Additional Information
- The postholder may be required to attend the Authority’s Audit & Governance Committees.
- Flexible working arrangements may be available.
