Finance Manager, Childrens Services - Job Description

Department: Children’s Services
Division: Finance
Responsible To: Head of Children’s Services Finance
Employees Directly Supervised: Divisional and Management Accountants

Job Purpose

To support the Head of Children’s Services Finance in achieving the most effective use of financial resources for Children’s Services through forward planning, financial management, monitoring and control.
To lead, coordinate and control the day to day provision of an integrated financial and management accounting service
To coordinate and manage the maintenance and development of the Council’s financial systems to support the delivery of Children’s Services Department Plans.
To contribute to the formulation and implementation of financial strategy and policy throughout the department, in support of the Children and Young People’s Plan and Children’s Services Business Plan and with due regard to Finance Department directives.
To deputise for the Head of Children’s Services Finance and provide cover for the other Finance Manager posts and their services.

Principal Management Duties

To lead, manage and develop a team within Children’s Services Finance to deliver an efficient and effective function in support of both the Department and the Director of Finance.
To manage employees directly supervised, and in particular to:
a) prioritise and programme their work,
b) monitor the progress of project work,
c) allocate project work between employees,
d) supervise work and performance,
e) achieve a satisfactory quality in all aspects of work,
f) prepare or obtain any necessary financial estimates, and
g) participate in the recruitment, training and development of employees within the Team.
To be a member of the Finance Management Team and, in this capacity, contribute to the overall leadership, management and development of the function including:
a) The monitoring and regular review of the work programme, priorities, working methods and procedures;
b) Setting performance targets;
c) The preparation and implementation of a training programme having due regard to the need to provide for career development and equal opportunities.
To undertake management functions as cover for the Head of Children’s Services Finance when s/he is away on leave, training courses or otherwise unavailable.

Princpial Proffesional Duties

Financial Advice
To provide such financial advice as required through the appropriate communication medium to DCSF, external auditors and other external bodies, members and officers in the Children’s Services and Finance Departments.
To give professional advice, strategic direction and to be pro-active in the generation of innovative and forward thinking ideas to senior officers and members, to scrutinise financial comments on Committee Reports and prepare financial reports requiring decisions from Service Managers or the Departmental Senior Management team.
To keep abreast of, understand and apply relevant legislation, statutory and professional guidance, best practice and directives as they relate to policy and financial management within the Children’s Services Department.

Financial Accounting

To lead, coordinate and manage one or more of the key financial processes (budget preparation, medium term financial strategy, budget monitoring and closure of accounts) across the Department in accordance with the programme drawn up in cooperation with the Finance Department.
To lead, manage and coordinate the revenue and capital estimates process within the Children’s Services Department in accordance with the programme drawn up in cooperation with the Finance Department.
To lead, manage and coordinate the closing of accounts process for revenue and capital expenditure within the Children’s Services Department in accordance with the programme drawn up in cooperation with the Finance Department.
To adopt best practice in the application of accounting methodology in accordance with guidelines issued by CIPFA (including BVACOP) in consultation with the Finance Department.
To establish and maintain such systems as are required to provide a comprehensive record of the department’s revenue and capital expenditure, including ensuring all departmental transactions are properly reported in the Council’s accounts.

Financial Administration

To establish, coordinate and monitor the financial administration processes carried out within the department.
To ensure compliance with and contribute to the development of the Council’s financial regulations and standing orders, and other instructions or requirements issued by the Director of Finance.
To complete complex financial returns (including on behalf of the section 151 officer) and statutory returns (to Central Government and other agencies), including supporting documentation to meet audit requirements.
To ensure divisions operate within departmental procedures that comply with good audit practice and to carry out periodic assessments of critical areas to assess that financial good practice and value for money are being achieved.

Management Accounting

To lead, manage and coordinate the provision of monthly revenue and capital expenditure monitoring reports to Assistant Directors within the Children’s Services Department in accordance with the programme drawn up in cooperation with the Finance Department.
To contribute to the strategic financial planning of the department by undertaking detailed financial appraisals of service delivery proposals, including undertaking research and benchmarking to support decision making.
Lead, manage and support specific corporate and departmental initiatives and projects.

Development and Maintenance of Systems

To be responsible for the development and maintenance of the Department’s financial systems to support the objectives of the department’s plans in accordance with CIPFA guidelines and best practice in financial control.
To promote developments to systems and procedures that will challenge and improve financial control and management in consultation with Assistant Directors and the Finance Department.
To promote and develop the use of IT in the operation of departmental financial and procedural systems in a manner that improves financial management.
To periodically review and restructure the chart of accounts to ensure it is fit for purpose and in accordance with accounting practice.

Education, Training and Support

To assess needs and coordinate the delivery of financial advice, information, training and support for the Departmental Management Team, service managers and budget holders in order to promote better financial management.
o promote the manipulation, development and maintenance of computer based models and databases to support the responsibilities of the finance function.

Equal Opportunities

To pursue, promote and implement the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in relation to the responsibilities of the post.
To promote the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policies through the recruitment, career development and communication responsibilities of the post.