Senior Management Accountant

Job Title: Senior Management Accountant

Application closing date: Sunday 12th January 2025 at 23:59pm

Location: Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7AT

Salary: £41,217pa - £49,644pa (dual banded role depending on experience)

Employment Type: Permanent

Bexley is an outer London Borough, offering a unique blend of urban and rural living, making it an ideal place to experience the best of both worlds. It sits conveniently between the vibrant energy of central London and the serene landscapes of Kent, known as the Garden of England. The Borough is home to several award-winning parks and open spaces, and boasts a number of listed heritage sites, adding historical charm and character to the area.

The challenges faced by Bexley Council reflect broader national trends, as rising energy costs, increasing demand for vital social care services, and the growing costs of essential goods and services place significant pressure on local finances. These pressures make it more difficult to meet the ever-growing needs of the community, but despite these hurdles, the council remains dedicated to its mission of prioritising the services that matter most to residents.

We are looking to appoint a Senior Management Accountant.

Key Responsibilities include:

• To contribute towards the Council's financial planning function to deliver a comprehensive, high quality, cost effective and timely service.
• To review reports, policies, procedures and other proposals for financial issues and make amendments as required.
• To analyse and advise on proposals for spending, savings or other service and corporate initiatives.
• To have oversight of budget monitoring (capital and revenue) in service departments, including developing financial data analytics where appropriate and challenge where necessary.
• To support service managers in appropriately risk assessed spending and income areas to understand and address key financial management issues and cost drivers and budget management.
• To provide support to budget managers during budget preparation, monthly monitoring, year-end and closure of accounts
• To support senior managers in developing and implementing strategies to manage budget variances and achieve MT FS savings
• To complete or support as appropriate, the completion of relevant complex grant and statistical returns, including guidance on accounting and audit arrangements
• To contribute to the development of self-service by training and supporting service managers and developing self-service infrastructure.
• To participate in the development, review and dissemination of finance policies and procedures to the councils.
• To lead, manage and motivate staff through excellent communication, professional guidance, support and development in accordance with the council's policies and procedures.

Additional Level Two Criteria

• Contribute to the critical review of policy options and proposals to be considered during budget development and the MTFS cycle.
• Undertake complex budget modelling, sensitivity analysis and scenario testing as part of the development of the budget strategy, and other corporate and strategic initiatives.
• To work with Business Partners to produce robust financial and commercial analysis as required including for business cases
• To take a lead role in the preparation of complex tasks within the closedown programme requiring a high level of technical expertise.
• To take a lead role in the analysis and financial interpretation of appropriate Government announcements and determinations.

To be suitable for the role you need to Part-Qualified or actively studying towards a CCAB professional qualification or equivalent. You will have extensive accounting and budgetary experience and a sound knowledge of statutory requirements and relevant codes of practice, preferably within local government.

For more information about the role please refer to Home | Bexley-draft or for a confidential discussion contact Rob Phillips at Allen Lane - robertphillips@allenlane.co.uk or 07921 336 507.

To apply, please submit your CV to bexley@allenlane.co.uk alongside a supporting statement (no more than two pages) stating why you are interested in applying, what you can bring to this role and highlighting your relevant experience and suitability.

Equal opportunities

Bexley Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Bexley Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.