Principal Financial Systems Officer

Salary range £39,186 - £43,421 per annum.

This is an excellent opportunity to join our Finance Team at Pembrokeshire County Council. We are a busy team, working with all areas of the authority with a net revenue budget of £303.496m (2024-25) and a capital programme of approx. £370m over the Medium Term Financial Plan.

As the Principal Financial Systems Officer you will bring your experience, skills and innovation, playing an integral role in the continuous development and improvement of our financial management information systems, to not only help meet our current demand but assist in transforming our services so we are ready for any future challenges that await.

The successful applicant will be required to have an accountancy and/or IT related qualification at degree level or above, or equivalent experience in the professional field

Working within operational guidelines set by the Deputy Chief Finance Officers and work priorities set by the Finance Manager, the Principal Financial Systems Officer will be responsible for ensuring adequate system and process controls remain in place, whilst also enhancing and improving the Financial Information Management System (FIMS) managing upgrades and liaising with external partners while supported by a Senior Accounting Technician and a Trainee Accounting Technician.

As a member of the Finance Senior Management Team you will also play a part in the strategic direction of the service.  You will be a solution focussed individual with proven experience of system and process development, using initiative, supervision of staff and working within set deadlines.  Strong communication skills are essential, as you will work with a range of stakeholders.

Reporting to the Finance Manager, your core duties will include:

• Project manage the ongoing implementation, maintenance and development of the financial information management systems
• Provide finance representation and input into any new system implementation within service areas where there is a financial impact
• Develop and maintain the finance systems to support transformation through streamlining of processes, increased automation and integration of cost drivers held within service IT systems into the finance information system to aid the setting and updating of the budget and MTFP
• Develop and maintain a sophisticated suite of reports for reporting to Management, Members and the Public in a streamlined efficient manner using the latest available technologies
• Ensure the Financial Systems are updated to reflect current accounting practices, HMRC and other regulations, and to capture the latest developments in technologies as they affect the financial and corporate systems used by the Council whilst ensuring the integrity of the system is maintained.
• Ensure approved budgets are updated and approved management budget is accurately input onto the corporate financial information system and is amended for any subsequent virement decisions or additional resource allocations.
• Ensure staff in the client departments can access and understand how to use the various Financial Systems for monitoring; purchase to pay; raising of debtors and other purposes
• Liaison with the Council’s external auditors during the inspection of the financial statements and the audit of Financial Systems information
• Management on a day to day basis of staff assigned by the Finance Manager.

Why Pembrokeshire County Council?

With its breath-taking scenery, coastal lifestyle and a range of leisure activities, Pembrokeshire has a lot to offer; and so do we. As well as a supportive management team, the following is just a taster of the benefits of joining the PCC team:

• Generous holiday entitlement starting at 26 days plus bank holidays and increasing through the length of your service.
• Membership of the Local Government ‘career average' defined benefit pension scheme.
• Flexible and agile working options to support your work-life balance.
• Access to discounts on a range of products, services and attractions.
• A wide range of resources to support your health and wellbeing, including discounted membership on our leisure centres and access to counselling services.
• Generous occupational maternity and paternity pay plan, on top of statutory benefits.
• Car leasing or bicycle purchase through excellent salary sacrifice packages

We welcome candidates living outside of the county with options for flexibility and hybrid working while still being a key contributor to our team. 

Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.