Principle Accountant

Job description

To assist the Chief Accountant and Deputy Chief Accountant with on the annual production of the Statement of Accounts.
To support the Deputy Chief Accountant with day-to-day activities within the Chief Accountant’s team, including design and implementation of processes and procedures for other staff to follow.
To maintain the integrity of the underpinning chart of accounts, balances and transactions to facilitate all aspects of statutory and management reporting.
To provide technical accounting advice to Council staff to ensure that best practice and relevant accounting standards and guidance is adhered to.
To deputise for the Deputy Chief Accountant as may be reasonably required from time to time.
To lead on Collection Fund, Revenue Accounting, Chart of Accounts, Balance Sheet Management, VAT and ensure the efficient and timely completion of all completion of related Returns (statutory or otherwise).
To ensure robust, accurate and compliant collection fund accounting and record keeping including being responsible for compiling working papers that satisfy audit requirements.
To liaise with LG Futures on all collection Fund matters and review information supporting the estimation of the collection fund surplus/deficit during the year.
To advise senior management on all collection fund matters and act as the collection fund contact with external bodies such as preceptors, experts, collection fund network.
To have an oversight of information provided by the Revenue Service Teams to ensure that all collection fund returns are accurate and completed on a timely basis.
To support on tasks such as the setting of council tax.
To lead on annual closure of all revenue activities including the preparation of reconciling related general ledger accounts including reserves.
Maintain oversight of the Council’s Balance Sheet to ensure that all balances are understood, can be supported, and represent real assets or liabilities.
To complete statutory and non-government returns such as the NNDR1-3, CTR1, Revenue Outturn Returns and Whole Government Accounts
Consolidate accounts for group companies and related bodies.
Oversight of accounting for schools and related party organisations
An oversight of the accounting processes around Debtors (including capital loans Bad Debts provision and Creditors.
To lead on Grant accounting
To lead on the completion of statutory and non-government returns eg. WGA, RO,
To lead on strategic VAT issues & ensure that the council's financial processes are robust in line with changes in VAT legislation.
Support council-wide service initiatives with complex VAT implications through obtaining specialist advice and building a library of advice from tax experts for the purpose providing timely advice across the council.
Review monthly VAT Returns & provide VAT advice to senior leadership.
Undertake Partial Exemption calculations annually.
To ensure that finance colleagues and services are aware of the closure timetable and protocols to follow to ensure that the appropriate year-end adjustments are actioned.
Prepare Collection Fund Statement at year-end.
Prepare some aspects of the Core Financial Statement e.g. Cash Flow Statement and group accounts including notes to the accounts.
To satisfactorily respond to complex internal and external audit queries and recommendations in line with the Council’s current audit protocol with the aim of continually improving the Council’s financial management and reporting.
To ensure all work undertaken is compliant with Council financial regulations, standing orders, policies and practice, statutory requirements and CIPFA guidance.
To action all relevant virements on SAP as and when required ensuring appropriate authorisation has been obtained for each item processed.
To prepare accounting guidance, briefing papers, electronic templates, audit working papers and committee reports as and when required.
Document and review procedures and processes on a regular basis keeping Line Manager informed of situation