Senior Financial Accountant

The role
We are looking for a qualified and experienced professional to join our busy Financial Accounting team. The successful candidate will lead, plan and co ordinate the Council’s Statement of Accounts production processes, including all working papers, to a high standard that is acceptable to senior management and external audit. The postholder will manage a team to ensure good financial controls are in place, that the Council’s Fixed Asset register is properly maintained, ensuring that all accounting entries relating to fixed assets are applied in accordance with the latest financial accounting standards. The post is also responsible for liaising with all levels of the organisation and its subsidiaries to ensure that the Council and its subsidiaries comply with VAT legislation, HMRC VAT Guidance, and VAT reporting requirements.
You will also be responsible for:

• Liaising with internal and external audit to ensure all financial controls and processes are up to standard and ensure an efficient audit process
• Communicating with external organisations and peers to identify changes necessary to comply with new accounting standards and other technical requirements
• Providing Financial Accounting services to the Council’s subsidiaries and joint ventures as required
• Supporting the preparation of annual Financial Statements for the Council and its subsidiaries
• Responding to external audit queries arising from the audit of annual Financial Statements for the Council and its subsidiaries
• Provide indirect taxation services and advice to the Council and its subsidiaries
• The preparation and timely submission of monthly HMRC VAT returns for the Council and quarterly HMRC returns for a VAT Group of Council subsidiaries
• Ensuring the timely payment of VAT due to HMRC and apportionment of payment between VAT Group members
• Maintaining VAT account records and undertaking VAT monitoring for the Council and a VAT Group of its subsidiaries
• Being the HMRC point of contact for VAT queries relating to the Council and its subsidiaries
• Liaising with Council service areas and Council subsidiaries and ensuring any VAT corrective actions required are undertaken and VAT account records updated accordingly
• To manage a team in delivering the associated services
• Reviewing reconciliations produced within the team and ensuring that issues identified are resolved
• People management, including ensuring high performance and continuous learning, driving delivery of outcomes, giving regular feedback and providing coaching / mentoring to bring out the best in individuals

In addition you will be responsible for delivering the following through your team:

• Maintenance of the Councils Fixed Asset register, ensuring that all accounting entries relating to fixed assets are applied in accordance with the latest financial accounting standards
• Timely completion and submission of Government Returns
• System reconciliations, including Bank reconciliations
• Performance, finance & risk at section level (including ensuring compliance with the Constitution & Standing Orders and ensuring value for money)
• Ensuring the delivery of outstanding customer service at all times.

If you have a track record in managing a team and delivering financial accounting services, have excellent technical and numeracy skills, are a strong team player, and have experience of delivering high quality customer service then we want to hear from you.
You will be highly motivated and organised with a positive “can do” attitude. You will be able to communicate clearly with staff of all levels and with people from outside the Council. You will have a keen eye for detail and a demonstrable record of delivery in a similar post.
About us
Our ambitious leadership team and dedicated staff are working hard building a world class city for everyone. Oxford City Council has accelerated plans to build more affordable and council housing in the city. We provide services to help reduce inequality and improve the health and wellbeing of Oxford’s residents and are taking a lead on reducing emissions and increasing biodiversity to become a net carbon neutral city of the future.
We are a supportive and collaborative bunch of people working towards shared goals, where new ideas and initiatives are valued. We strive to deliver service excellence, take accountability for our actions and communicate with honestly and respect. There has never been a more exciting time to join us! Help us to build successful places in which to live and work and build a fairer, greener city in which everyone can thrive.
Many of our roles offer flexible or hybrid working. We offer generous holiday 28 days a year with an additional 4 days after 5 years’ service. We are committed to supporting career development opportunities and learning and development.
We offer an above average pension scheme plus other great benefits.

How to apply
More information is available on the role profile document. Please read this document to ensure that you meet our requirements. More information about working for the Council, our values and vision, is available on our web site.
Applications should be made via our online application system (no CVs please). For further information and how to apply online, please click the apply button.
If you are unable to access our website please call 01865 252848.
Note: For roles that require a DBS Certificate (Enhanced and or Barred List check), candidates are required to supply their complete work history. If you are making an application using a CV please ensure you explain any gaps in your work history.
We will be undertaking interviews online for this role. For hybrid roles the successful applicant will be expected to work from home with occasional visits in to the office in line with business needs.
You should ensure that you have reliable and secure wifi access; a suitable workspace and are prepared to undertake distance learning and training.
Closing Date: 24 April 2024