Job Purpose

To ensure the town council operates in accordance with accounting procedures and statutory requirements.

To manage and advise on the council’s financial affairs.

Main Duties

• To prepare the council’s annual budget.
• To produce monthly management reports for the management team and council committees.
• To carry out the council’s year-end processes, including the production of statutory documents, working papers for audit, and associated reports to council.
• To manage the council’s bank reconciliation, VAT records, and other monthly control accounts.
• To monitor and advise on the council’s cash flow and financial investments.
• To assist in the review of financial governance arrangements, including financial regulations and standing orders, procurement, insurance, asset recording, treasury, internal control and risk management.
• To create procedures for all financial control systems, giving training in their use, monitoring adherence to these procedures, and liaising with the internal auditor as required.
• To review the council’s services to ensure they are delivered efficiently, effectively and economically.
• Managing and maintaining records of the council’s insurances, ensuring the regular revision of cover required and to processing claims, as necessary.
• Monitor and manage debts.
• The delivery of effective, efficient and economic financial systems: purchase orders and creditors, debtors, general ledger, payroll, and petty cash.
• Support colleagues in delivering service specific systems, e.g. bookings, car parking.
• The development and monitoring of effective office systems, including use of software, document management and records’ storage and to take the lead on procuring and managing suitable IT and IT-related systems.
• To maintain a register of assets, leases and licences and, subject to agreement to manage the undertaking out of associated property transactions such as lease renewals and rent reviews. To head on information communications technology (ICT), ensure the currency of the council’s systems, and the effectiveness of its application.
• To advise on and support procurement.
• Implement and maintain performance management systems.
• Management of business accounts, including utilities and phone contracts.
• Management of data and information in accordance with the Local Government Transparency Code and General Data Protection Regulation.
• To perform the Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) role subject to agreement. Progression to SCP 36-39 is dependant on this role being taken on.