Group Accountant – Public Sector Finance Lead (Temp)

Essential Employment; Caerphilly; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Essential Employment requires a Group Accountant in Caerphilly to lead annual accounts closures, consolidate year-end accounts and oversee treasury and capital activities. The post involves coordinating statutory returns, liaising with auditors and ensuring compliance with CIPFA and local government standards.

You will manage a multi-faceted finance function, advise on budgeting and financial management, and supervise up to 15 finance staff, ensuring deadlines are met and processes run

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the annual accounts closure process and production of the Statement of Accounts.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, CIPFA Codes of Practice and local government accounting standards.
• Prepare consolidated year-end accounts and supporting working papers.
• Manage corporate balance sheet accounting and associated reconciliations.
• Liaise with external auditors and coordinate responses to audit queries and recommendations.
• Coordinate the submission of statutory returns, including: RO, RA, WGA.
• Supervise the Treasury Management function, including investments, borrowing and cash flow management.
• Manage loan debt portfolios and investment activities to achieve the best outcomes for the Authority.
• Ensure treasury activities comply with the Treasury Management Strategy, CIPFA Treasury Management Code and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in preparing the annual Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Strategy.
• Monitor and report on Prudential Indicators in accordance with the CIPFA Prudential Code.
• Oversee banking arrangements, bank reconciliations and petty cash administration.
• Coordinate the corporate capital accounting year-end process.
• Support the preparation, monitoring and reporting of the Capital Programme.
• Ensure capital accounting transactions comply with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain the integrity of the Capital Ledger and provide advice on the correct accounting treatment of capital expenditure.
• Support managers in the delivery and monitoring of capital projects.
• Assist in the coordination of the corporate budget-setting process.
• Support budget monitoring and forecasting activities.
• Ensure budgets maintained within the corporate ledger reconcile with approved budget strategies.
• Provide financial advice and guidance to managers and budget holders.
• Provide specialist advice on accounting standards, legislation and best practice.
• Monitor compliance with accounting regulations and financial reporting requirements.
• Interpret and advise upon new legislation, consultation papers, accounting standards and codes of practice.
• Oversee VAT and CIS compliance, including submission of statutory returns.
• Manage control account reconciliations and education trust funds.
• Manage and maintain the integrated financial ledger system.
• Ensure financial systems support effective financial management and reporting.
• Oversee ledger security, user access, training and support services.
• Manage the internal invoicing module and ensure effective system controls are in place.
• Promote continuous improvement in financial systems and processes.
• Provide full line management responsibility for a team of up to 15 employees.
• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management, training and development activities.
• Allocate work across the team to ensure service delivery and statutory deadlines are achieved.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and high performance.

Job description

Essential Employment requires a Group Accountant in Caerphilly to lead annual accounts closures, consolidate year-end accounts and oversee treasury and capital activities. The post involves coordinating statutory returns, liaising with auditors and ensuring compliance with CIPFA and local government standards.

You will manage a multi-faceted finance function, advise on budgeting and financial management, and supervise up to 15 finance staff, ensuring deadlines are met and processes run