Job Description and Person Specification
Management Accountant
Scale 6 (£31,789 FT)
Reports to Finance Manager
Assists the Finance Manager on the Financial Management of the College and its subsidiary companies. Responsible for development and production of Monthly Departmental Budget Statements.
JOB ROLE
- Work alongside the Finance Manager and Financial Controller, on the production of monthly management accounts, year-end financial accounts and preparation for annual external audit.
- Responsible for the production and development of monthly departmental management accounts for all College Departments.
- Responsible for maintenance, monitoring and updating of the detailed daily cashflow forecast.
- Assist and deputise for the Finance Manager as required with overall responsibility for:
- Administration and development of the Finance system (Pro-Resource/Agresso)
- Administration and development of the Contract Register system
- Ensuring all financial forms, policies and procedures are kept up-to-date with current legislation and accepted accounting practices
- Support the Finance Manager with production of monthly payroll costing’s.
- Support the Finance Manager, in production of all monthly journals and financial reports.
- Support the Finance Manager in ensuring all balance sheet and control account reconciliations are completed to the required standard.
- Responsibility for the management of all aspects of External Funding administration, including compilation of claims, maintenance of evidence, attendance at meetings, interpretation of contracts, etc.
- Responsibility for the checking and collation of staff mileage and expenses.
- Responsibility for updating, management and maintenance of College’s Fixed Asset register.
- Support the Finance Manager with the Internal Audit process.
- Work alongside the Finance Manager and Financial Controller on administration of the annual curriculum planning and budget setting process.
- Support the Purchasing Advisor with the management of the purchase order process and acquisitions.
- Support the Finance Manager with the training, welfare and development of the wider Finance Team, in line with the aspire Performance Management Framework.
- Be flexible and proactive in taking responsibility for additional work to assist the Finance Manager meet any Month-end or Year-end deadlines.
- Attend and contribute to budget and financial performance meetings.
- Any other duties, as required, appropriate to the scale of the post.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
All people who work for the College are expected to engage in normal business tasks such as:
- Know what and where the College strategy is, what it contains, and make sure what they do on a day to day basis is in line with the strategic objectives in some way.
- Ensure the work they do is of a high quality standard and College procedures and policies are followed at all times.
- Engage in personal professional development to keep up to date in industry/commercial issues, attend mandatory training, Principals addresses and the Staff Conference.
- Present the College in a positive way at all times with external clients, students, customers etc.
- Work flexibly and efficiently in order to meet customers’ needs, whilst maintaining the highest possible professional standards.
- Bring new ideas and try new ideas/approaches with an open mind.
- Comply with the College’s HR policies and the Health & Safety policy, at all times.
- Support the College’s commitment to carrying out its functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- Respect everyone, regardless of who they are, in accordance with the College policy relating to equality and diversity. In doing this, ensure that everyone within the College is free from any kind of bullying/harassment.
- Fully engage in the performance management process.
- Maintain confidentiality and security of data at all times.
- Live the values and behaviours in daily College life and embed in everything they do.
OTHER
It is important we keep this document up to date, so that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them and misunderstandings are avoided.
This job description can be changed but only in consultation with you, your manager and if you wish, your trade union representative.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Accounts AssistantManagement Accountant.
Finance
What will you need to be able to do the job?
Skills, Knowledge and Aptitudes
- Excellent inter-personal skills, ability to communicate with staff at all levels.
- Demonstrate confidence in dealing with a wide range of managers, staff and external organisations.
- Attention to detail and keen analytical skills.
- Ability to work effectively managing challenging and often conflicting deadlines.
- Ability to present complex information with clarity to non-finance professionals.
- Proven arithmetic skills, and an ability to analyse statistics and produce a report accordingly.
- Adaptability and responsiveness to changing circumstances and the resilience to work under pressure.
- Understanding and commitment to ensuring all stakeholders of Gateshead College adhere to the rules, regulations and ethics of its financial procedures.
- Committed to delivering outstanding customer service and ability to identify and implement changes as and when required.
- Demonstrate confidence in the use of IT and have a good knowledge of Microsoft packages.
- Knowledge and experience of using a recognised Finance system.
- Can demonstrate an understanding of the Finance month-end process and how all other Finance Team functions fit into that.
- Ability to motivate and coach individuals to deliver outstanding service.
- Demonstrate effective planning and organisation skills.
Qualifications & Membership
- Possess a minimum of four GCSE’s (Grades A – C).
- Recognised finance, payroll or administration qualification at Level 3.
- Qualified, part qualified or working towards, level 4 or higher recognised Finance qualification. E.g. CIMA, ACCA, etc
Experience
- Experience of working in a Finance or Payroll role.
- Experience of using at least one recognised Finance system
- Experience of preparation for / and the undergoing of an external audit
Disposition
- Ability to effectively organise own work and effectively manage time and deadlines.
- Driven attitude, enthusiastic manner and a willingness to learn.
- Confident communication skills.
- Commitment to quality and continuous improvement
- Commitment to professional development.
- Ability to work as part of a team, and under own supervision
Special requirements
- Enhanced DBS Clearance which is satisfactory to the College
- Evidence of qualification certificates
- References which are satisfactory to the College
It would be good if you also had:
Skills, Knowledge and Aptitudes
- Knowledge of working with legislation changes affecting the FE sector.
- Knowledge of Funding within FE sector.
- Knowledge of tax and/or corporate law
- Detailed and proven knowledge of the complexities of pension regulation, and the actuarial process.
- Knowledge of latest versions of Agresso Finance packages
Qualifications & Training
- Recognised Audit qualification at level 3 or higher
- Advanced Microsoft Excel qualification
Experience
- Experience of working in the FE sector.
- Experience of Finance system administration / co-ordination
- Experience of Finance system development
- Experience of European Social Fund (ESF) projects, or similar.
- Experience of preparation for and management of External Audit
- Experience of Team Leading
- Experience of Project Management