ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL
JOB DESCRIPTION
All employees are required to carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance
with the Council’s Safety Policy and all other Council policies and legislation relevant to
the job.
***
All tasks will be performed ensuring accuracy and in accordance with the standards of
behaviour and conduct set out in the Council’s “Statement of Culture”.
1. JOB DETAILS
Job Title:
Service Group:
Grade (incl. SCP):
Assistant Accountant
Corp. Governance
G11
Job Description No:
Section:
Job Profile:
Version Date:
Finance
2. JOB PURPOSE
The Assistant Accountant is responsible for assisting the Services Accounting team to
provide financial support to the Directorates including support for the development of
budgets, the monitoring of actual spend, the calculation of period end accounting
adjustments, inputting to Committee reports and annual reporting.
The post holder may be required to supervise the work of junior team members and/or take
the lead with project or a project team containing team members of various grades.
Within the scope of the Assistant Accountant role, the post holder is responsible for ensuring
that within defined areas of work that
•
Robust standard processes and high quality controls are in operation.
•
Good use is made of technology to improve service quality, standardise processes,
improve controls and improve overall efficiency.
•
Procedures are documented and kept up to date.
•
Service Level Agreement standards are achieved and reported.
•
Service key performance indicator metrics are maintained and reported on a monthly
basis.
3. REPORTING & RELATIONSHIPS
Accountable to;
Accountant
Accountable for;
Supervision of junior team members
Key Relationships;
Directors of Service
Heads of Service
Service Managers
Budget Holders
Head of Finance
Services Accounting Manager
Services Accounting Team Leaders
Finance Partners
Other Services Accounting team members
Date: January 2011
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
Page 1 of 9
4.
4.1
KEY TASKS
Provide high quality financial information including analysis of financial status and
projected outturns.
4.2
Provide support to develop budgets, monitor budgets & savings and ensure significant
items are correctly reported.
4.3
Input to reports including those for committees and SMT Highlights and support agreed
elements of the preparation of annual accounts.
4.4
Ensure that correct accounting policies are being applied when budgeting and
allocating actual spend.
4.5
Provide a link between finance and non-finance information and provide general
finance advice and assistance.
4.6
Support the delivery & documentation of standard, efficient, controlled and effective
processes.
4.7
Report the achievement of service standards on a monthly basis and actively promote
continuous improvement across the team.
4.8
Support the development of a service culture within the team and support initiatives,
from the Team Leaders, to develop the Finance services.
4.9
Prioritise work to ensure that agreed services, per SLA, are being delivered.
4.10 Support the development of staff of all grades.
4.11 Support the council’s internal policies and procedures, such as Health & Safety,
recruitment and staff communication.
Date: January 2011
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
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5.
5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.1.4
5.1.5
5.2
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
5.2.5
5.2.6
5.2.7
5.3
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.4
5.4.1
5.5
5.5.1
5.5.2
5.5.3
5.5.4
5.5.5
5.6
5.6.1
5.6.2
5.6.3
5.6.4
ACTIVITIES BY KEY TASK
Provide high quality financial information including analysis of financial status
and projected out-turns.
Develop and manage the production of standard accounting reports.
Confirm, understand and communicate the reasons for significant variances.
Develop ad hoc reports that address operational requirements.
Ensure that financial information tells a clear and complete story.
Highlight significant variances and provide analysis of options.
Provide support to develop budgets, monitor budgets & savings and ensure
significant items are correctly reported.
Ensure that budget financial information is consistent with Directorate priorities.
Ensure that budget information is consistent with Council policies and guidance.
Ensure that budget assumptions are reasonable, captured and communicated.
Analyse spend profiles and ensure they are in line with budget and priorities.
Challenge budget holders on spend to date and obtain full explanations for
variances.
Confirm that reported savings are inline with recorded financial information.
Escalate significant budget and savings concerns on a timely basis to enable
corrective actions to be taken quickly.
Input to reports including those for committees and SMT Highlights and
support agreed elements of the preparation of annual accounts.
Input and prepare reports to specified timescales, materiality and format, taking into
account the final recipient’s needs and financial knowledge.
Complete annual financial accounts sections using professional knowledge to
ensure correct disclosures.
Ensure that correct accounting policies are being applied when budgeting and
allocating actual spend.
Confirm the impact of changes in accounting policies and/or the introduction of new
service initiatives with qualified team members to ensure adequate technical
accounting support is provided.
Provide a link between finance and non-finance information and provide
general finance advice and assistance.
Ensure that relevant financial information is supplied to SMT prior to the meeting to
enable review and study by members.
Ensure that financial knowledge weaknesses identified within the Directorate are
addressed quickly and adequately to help ensure the better management of
resources.
Ensure that financial explanations are provided in a way that is easy to understand
for non-finance team members.
Ensure that comprehensive advice is provided to address individual problems or
issues.
Obtain necessary financial and tax advice from relevant specialists to enable
accurate information to be provided.
Support the delivery & documentation of standard, efficient, controlled and
effective processes.
Ensure processes are assessed to deliver a standard approach across the service.
Ensure that processes contain sufficient robust controls.
Ensure that all processes are documented (process map and step by step guidance)
in a consistent manner.
Ensure that process documentation is kept up to date and that key processes are
tested on at least an annual basis.
Date: January 2011
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
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5.7
5.7.1
5.7.2
5.7.3
5.7.4
5.7.5
5.8
5.8.1
5.8.2
5.8.3
5.9
5.9.1
5.9.2
5.10
5.10.1
5.10.2
5.10.3
5.11
5.11.1
5.11.2
Report the achievement of service standards on a monthly basis and actively
support continuous improvement across the team.
Capture and report performance indicators (KPIs), service issues and areas for
action.
Report service KPIs on a monthly basis to the Team Leader.
Lead the identification of improvement opportunities and the implementation of
projects.
Ensure that a reasonable “business case” is made for improvements.
Ensure that changes to processes as a result of improvement initiatives are
adequately tested and communicated prior to being implemented.
Support the development of a service culture within the team and support
initiatives, from the Team Leaders, to develop the Finance services.
Ensure service levels are communicated and monitored.
Ensure that fellow team members understand customer needs and how they are
fulfilled.
Provide process input to Team Leaders to support new initiatives and research.
Prioritise work to ensure that agreed services, per SLA, are being delivered.
Assess workload and agree changes to priorities with line manager.
Cooperate with other team members to help deliver high service levels.
Support the development of staff of all grades.
Support the achievement of a breadth of work experience by individual team
members by assisting in the development of work programmes.
Support team members when they are performing new roles.
Ensure that feedback on performance is provided in a structured and evidenced way
that allows the recipient time to consider the views and respond to them.
Support the council’s internal policies and procedures, such as Health &
Safety, recruitment, staff development and staff communication.
Support the Council’s policies by complying with them on a timely basis.
Support the Appraisal processes by meeting deadlines, providing evidence and
establishing challenging SMART measures.
Date: January 2011
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
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The above is intended to provide a description of the KEY TASKS and ACTIVITIES of
the job. Duties and responsibilities attached to jobs may change from time to time
without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility
entailed.
6.
EXPECTED BEHAVIOURS
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Core Competencies
Working with Others
Ö
Acting with Integrity
Ö
Customer Focus
Ö
Achieving Results
Ö
Continuous Improvement
Ö
Being Accountable
Ö
7. HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK RISK ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITIES WITH RISKS ATTACHED
(a) Potential hazards
(b) Level of Risks
VDU usage
Travel (using own or public transport) to visit budget holders
may be required
Both Low
(c) Action to be taken
None
8. HEAD OF SERVICE
Name:
Signature:
Date: January 2011
Date:
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
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Aberdeen City Council
Person Specification
Service
Group
Job
Title
Selection Criteria
Grade
Person
Spec. No.
Essential
Qualifications •
Desirable
HNC or higher in Accounting, Finance
or Business or significant experience in
a similar role
•
Educated to degree level
•
Studying towards a relevant professional qualification
Encourages others to contribute to the
team
•
Recognises and values the contribution of others
•
Makes time available to support others
Core Competencies
Working with Others •
•
Actively co-operates with others for the
good of the Service
•
Willing to share and promote best
practice
Acting with Integrity •
•
Date: January 2011
Treats others with respect
Respects diversity and cultural values
•
Willing to challenge unacceptable
behaviour in others
•
Reliable and dependable
•
Responds to others’ communication in
a timely manner
•
Upholds the image of the Council
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
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Aberdeen City Council
Person Specification
Selection Criteria
Essential
Customer Focus •
Delivers a courteous, professional
service
•
Understands service standards and
accepts responsibility for consistently
delivering services to these standards
•
Thinks about situations from the
customers' point of view
•
Responds quickly to customer
enquiries and requests
•
Deals with complaints and difficult
situations in a constructive way
Achieving Results •
Understands the requirements of the
job
•
Complies with requirements of the job
•
Manages own time effectively to meet
deadlines and objectives
•
Takes pride in producing accurate,
complete and consistent work
•
Doesn’t give up when faced with
obstacles or setbacks
Date: January 2011
Desirable
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
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Aberdeen City Council
Person Specification
Selection Criteria
Essential
Continuous Improvement •
•
Open to changing practices and
procedures which hinder rather than
help
•
Willing to change ideas/ perceptions
based on new information/ evidence
Being Accountable •
Takes responsibility for own actions
•
Takes responsibility for using Council
resources in an appropriate manner
•
Delivers on what's promised and keeps
relevant parties advised when unable
to
•
Prepared to admit mistakes and learn
from these
Job Specific Competencies
(gained through knowledge
and experience)
•
Prepared to take risks within agreed boundaries
•
Encourages new ideas and suggestions for
improvement
•
Plans and monitors health and safety performance
Understands and complies with all
procedures and standards relevant to
the role
•
Providing a Safe and Healthy •
Working Environment
Motivates employees to work in a safe
and healthy manner
Essential
•
Date: January 2011
Looks for better ways of achieving
objectives to improve service delivery
Desirable
Experience of working in Accounting in
a large organisation.
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
9
Desirable
•
Experience of public sector finance
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Aberdeen City Council
Person Specification
Job Specific Competencies
(gained through knowledge
and experience)
Date: January 2011
Essential
Desirable
•
Ability to create clear and concise
reports that contain reasoned
recommendations.
•
Ability to create sound evidence based arguments to
support recommendations.
•
Ability to work with a team and to
•
create pragmatic solutions to problems.
Ability to manage small projects from initiation to final
delivery.
•
Ability to create confidence in own
ability with managers.
•
Ability to assess competing priorities and to establish
a robust methodology for their resolution.
•
Ability to plan own work and that of
others to meet deadlines.
•
Ability to establish and maintain good working
relationships internally and externally across a range
of grades and technical abilities.
•
Ability to work on own initiative.
•
Ability to generate creative options to address
challenges.
•
Computer literate (Excel, Word and
PowerPoint).
•
Ability to recognise the impact of potential future
events and to make adequate contingency plans.
•
Ability to identify risks and to ensure that they are
adequately managed.
•
Ability to work creatively within rules, standards and
processes.
•
Ability to assess service requirements and provide
proactive solutions.
Job Description - Assistant Accountant Final b
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