Group Accountant Financial Reporting PO9
We are seeking an accountant to support production of the Statement of Accounts, taking responsibility for fixed asset accounting within the Statement of Accounts and ensuring delivery of high quality working papers as well as responding to external audit queries to enable the annual Statement of Accounts to be audited. The post holder will lead on one or more technical areas including capital accounting and PFI accounting.
Working within the Corporate Accountancy Team, you will be involved in preparation of budgets, closing of accounts, maintaining the asset register, statutory returns and the provision of high quality, comprehensive, effective and efficient financial management reporting to the Council.
This is an important post for the Finance team and will involve working closely with the Chief Accountant and officers in all Directorates of the Council. The role will involve solving complex technical accounting issues.
You will have sound knowledge of financial regulations, statutory financial reporting requirements and financial frameworks in a large organisation, preferably local government.
You will demonstrate excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills, being able to interpret financial data and apply logic and judgement. The ability to build effective and productive working relationships with colleagues inside and outside of the Council and demonstrate personal commitment to resolving problems or issues is essential to the role.
This post provides the opportunity for an ambitious, imaginative and professional accountant to use their knowledge and experience to help a forward thinking Council continue to provide outstanding services.
The Group Accountant Financial Reporting will play a key role in the closure of the accounts as well as providing technical and financial advice to senior officers and Councillors. Key responsibilities will include;
Supporting senior officers to ensure that the Council’s financial resources, both within the central directorates and for the overall strategic finance function are managed effectively
Producing the Statement of Accounts, Group Accounts and other related statutory returns
Providing technical accounting advice to senior Management, Members and Finance staff
Completing relevant statutory accounts and statutory returns including the completion of financial, statistical and grant returns
To be suitable for the role you need to be a qualified accountant with proven experience of closure of accounts within a complex organisation. The ability to develop relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partner organisations is also essential.
Going forward Waltham Forest will be operating a hybrid working model, with a greater balance between home based and office working, subject to role requirements.
For more information on Waltham Forest, the recruitment processes and to see the job description please, refer to https://allenlanerecruitment.wixsite.com/walthamforest or contact Will Ryan at Allen Lane on 07789871864 for a confidential conversation.
Equal Opportunities
Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: - Promoting equality of opportunity - Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage - Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels. - Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all. Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy
How to apply
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to walthamforest@allenlane.co.uk by Monday 29th November. The covering letter should be no more than 2 pages and should include why you are interested in the position and specific examples of how you meet the key criteria.