Technical Capital Accountant

Job title: Technical Capital Accountant
Grade: PO 5
Role code: EBC0497
Status: Police Staff

Main purpose of the role:

Oversee all capital accounting activities for the force including managing the related work for budget setting processes and the year-end Statement of Accounts, ensuring optimum use of resources and best practice procedures, in order that processes are undertaken in accordance with updated UK GAAP and the CIPFA Code of Practice. To also manage the treasury management function and all investment/borrowing requirements for the force, thus ensuring a direct correlation between cash resources and the capital programme, and ensuring compliance with both internal financial regulations and CIPFA treasury guidance.

Main responsibilities:

• Oversee the preparation of the annual capital programme budget, ensuring projects chosen are viable, robustly costed with realistic and manageable financing plans identified. Work with the Finance Business Partnering and Management Accounting team to ensure the final budget is reported to and approved by the PFCC, in accordance with localised deadlines. The budget will be accurate and will be able to inform the onward monitoring process for the subsequent financial year.
• Work alongside the Corporate Accounting Manager in respect of the closure of accounts, and the production of the statutory Statement of Accounts; leading on the key capital accounting processes, including the annual revaluations of non-current assets, and producing various disclosure notes for review by the Corporate Accounting Manager. To liaise with external auditors on all queries and requests, providing sound and accurate working papers to support the information included in the Statement of Accounts.
• Provide support and advice to Chief Officers, the PFCC and budget holders, in respect of capital projects and related technical capital accounting issues. Interpret legislation and instructions from Government in relation to capital accounting and provide expert advice and guidance on all aspects of capital finance. Keep informed of changes in UK GAAP to ensure compliance with statutory accounting requirements and best practice. Support the overall strategic development of capital finance, making best use of capital resources and ensuring compliance with accounting procedures, financial regulations, statutory responsibilities and best practice guidelines. Work alongside the Finance Business Partnering and Management Accounting Team, evaluate, appraise and resolve any technical capital issues within proposed business cases, and/or and provide financial assurance to colleagues in respect of decisions taken in these processes.
• Lead on treasury management and cashflow forecasting for the force, overseeing the daily process managed by the Corporate Accounting Supervisor, whilst providing a framework for the Forces approach to investments, borrowing and the associated risks arising, via the production of the annual Treasury Management Strategy and approved policy and control procedures, following the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in Local Authorities and the Prudential Code. Ensure a close and methodical link between the forces capital programme and its cashflow position, over the short to medium term.
• Lead on various capital and treasury management statistical returns on behalf of the force, including the CPR, CER, monthly borrowing and lending, and annual CIPFA Treasury Management return, and support the Corporate Accounting Manager with other returns as and when required.
• Attend strategic board meetings as and when required to present relevant papers and reports, assist with corporate ad hoc projects which support operational efficiency and effectiveness and contribute to the force in achieving its strategic objectives and priorities.
• Assist with the development of staff within the section fairly and consistently in accordance with force policy and procedure, specifically in respect of treasury management work and processes, and the oversight function of this role in respect of the Corporate Revenue Managers duties.
• Assist with corporate projects and initiatives, such as the ongoing development of the SAP Financial System, and the proposal to potentially update the Chart of Accounts hierarchy and related reporting process, as well as contributing to the overall strategic development of finance within the organisation. Maintain the asset register within the SAP financial system, as well as the force spreadsheet, ensuring the integrity of the systems and compliance with Force policy and procedures, and the requirements of the Code of Practice.

Necessary experience:

The successful candidate will possess a CCAB or equivalent qualification. This is equivalent to a Level 7 diploma and masters degree, and represents a professionally qualified accountant. Where the post holder does not have this, sufficient evidence that the applicant would reasonably be able to acquire this qualification with 12 months from the application date, will be accepted.

The post holder will have a minimum of 2-3 years capital accounting experience in the financial environment, ideally within a medium or large size public sector organisation, and must be able to evidence experience of budget setting and closure of accounts processes, as well as knowledge of CIPFA accounting guidance and a sound understanding of financial regulations.

There is a requirement for this post to maintain an awareness of legislation, in relation to local government capital finance, accounting regulations and treasury management, which are regularly subject to change by central government or accounting bodies.

The post holder will be able to prioritise their own workload and work to deadlines, whilst dealing with a steady flow of interruptions and enquiries.

The post holder must have practical experience and knowledge of financial accounting systems, including an asset register, and have the ability to research, assimilate and interpret available information. They must be fully conversant with a range of Microsoft products specifically Excel, Word, Outlook and, ideally, One note. The ability to become rapidly familiar with internal spreadsheets and processes will be essential.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written are essential along with the ability to build effective working relationships internally and with external stakeholder/s. This will be combined with a practical common-sense approach to problem solving.