Creditors/Finance Officer

Job Purpose:

Provide a comprehensive range of financial support services to Headteachers and Governing Bodies and to be responsible to the Principal Accountant (Schools) in ensuring the effective delivery of the Service Level Agreements with schools.

Duties and Responsibilities - Job Specific

Provide support and assistance to the Principal Accountant – Schools in all aspects of the school finance service in accordance with the Service Level Agreement.

Assist with the preparation of annual budgets for the Authority’s Primary, Secondary and Special schools.

Assist in the closure of accounts at the end of the financial year and assist in the production of final accounts.

Assist in the preparation of financial projections to enable schools to maximise effectiveness in the utilisation of resources.

Regularly visit schools to discuss and provide advice on all matters in relation to school budgets and assist with the interpretation of reports and solve any administrative problems.

Investigate and respond to numerous and detailed queries from schools, contractors, suppliers, finance department staff and staff from other departments regarding payments and charges made against school budgets.

Requirements

Association of Accounting Technicians qualification (equivalent or part qualified)

Knowledge of local government accounting and financial procedures

Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communications skills

Ability to communicate though the medium of English

Ability to communicate though the medium of Welsh

Good Accountancy/Numeracy skills

Ability to plan, programme and produce work with minimal supervision and to work under pressure to achieve deadlines.

Sound knowledge of computerised financial systems and a range of IT skills including spreadsheet and database preparation and maintenance.