RECRUITMENT
INFORMATION PACK
APPOINTMENT OF: ACCOUNTANT
Reference:
428R
Closing Date for Receipt of
Completed Applications
:
Sunday, 25 June 2017
Interview Date
:
Wednesday, 12 July 2017
Please provide an email address where possible as, if you are selected to attend for an interview,
we prefer to contact you by email.
Human Resources
Runnymede Civic Centre
Station Road
Addlestone
Surrey. KT15 2AH
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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in employment with Runnymede Borough Council. Please find
attached some further details which we hope you will find helpful. When you complete the
application form you might find that there are some questions that do not appear to be strictly
relevant to the particular post in which you are interested, but the completion of the form as
fully as possible does enable us to consider each application fairly and swiftly. If you have
any problems in completing the form, please telephone us, we will be very happy to help you.
The Person Specification indicates the Essential and Desirable requirements for the
post. Please use your application to highlight how you meet these requirements as it
is on this basis that applicants will be shortlisted.
If you would like to be notified of the result of your application please email
[email protected] within 2 weeks of the closing date quoting the advert
reference.
Further details about job opportunities at Runnymede and other public sector organisations in
Surrey can be found at www.surreyjobs.info
Below are some details of the Council and conditions of service, but if you have any other
questions please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources; tel. 01932 425512, Email:
[email protected]
Canvassing of Appointing Officers, Members of the Council or any Committee of the Council
directly or indirectly shall disqualify the candidate for appointment. Members of the Council
are prohibited from soliciting persons for appointment.
THE BOROUGH
The name Runnymede is known world-wide for its association with the sealing of Magna
Carta in 1215. Today, Runnymede is a highly regarded and efficient local authority with a
commitment to providing outstanding value for money and quality services.
The Council, which has a population of over 80,000, covers 30 square miles in north Surrey.
It has a long north-eastern boundary formed by the Rivers Thames and Wey, across which
are the towns of Staines and Weybridge. In the north-west the Borough boundary cuts across
the wooded areas of Windsor Great Park, whilst on the west the boundary reaches along the
edge of Chobham Common and in the south the Borough extends almost to Woking.
Within its boundaries, the authority embraces a number of distinct town and village
communities. In the north, Egham includes historic Runnymede, Thorpe, with its Theme Park,
and Englefield Green. To the west is an extensively wooded area embracing the residential
village of Virginia Water and the famous Wentworth Golf Course. Further south and again on
the Thames is Chertsey, an historic town whose links, through its former abbey, go back to
Saxon times. Chertsey merges into the newer town of Addlestone and also in this southern
part of the Borough are the more modern residential villages of New Haw, Woodham and
Ottershaw.
The Borough has a number of national and international companies within its boundaries
making it one of the more significant locations for commerce and employment in Surrey. It is
also important as a place of residence. Its excellent communications, by road and rail, make
it an ideal area in which to live close to unspoilt country and river scenery and yet within half
an hour of central London. Rail routes link all parts of the Borough with Waterloo. M25 and
M3 motorways provide easy access to all parts of the country.
COUNCIL SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Runnymede Borough Council forms part of a two-tier local government system.
As a Borough Council we are responsible for:
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Abandoned vehicles
Building Control and dangerous buildings or structures
Business Rate collections
Cemeteries
Council Tax collections
Environmental Health and inspection of food premises
Housing
Land Charges
Licensing
Local Elections
Planning applications and Planning Enforcement and Planning Policy
Off-street car parks and parking enforcement
Recycling
Rubbish collection
On behalf of Surrey County Council we cut grass on highway verges, maintain highway
shrubs and also enforce on-street parking enforcement. We also provide the following
additional services to improve the lives of our residents and communities:
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Administrative support for the Runnymede Business Partnership
Allotments
American style Yellow school bus transportation scheme
Arboriculture
Centres for older people
Community Alarms
Community Halls
Community Meals (Meals on Wheels)
Community Safety and CCTV open space surveillance
Community Transport
Garden waste collection (chargeable)
Graffiti removal
Leisure Development
Museum
Parks and Open Spaces
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
General
Runnymede Borough Council has local conditions of service to attract and retain high calibre
staff.
A Performance Appraisal and Staff Development Scheme is in place.
Certain extracts of Runnymede's terms and conditions of employment are given below for
your information. If you would like more details, please contact Human Resources; tel. 01932
425512, Email [email protected]
Overseas Applicants
Applications from overseas candidates are welcomed provided they hold current authorisation
to work in the UK.
Medical Clearance
Appointments are subject to a medical assessment which usually means completing a form.
Occasionally an examination by the Council's Medical Adviser is also necessary.
Pension
You may participate in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Annual Leave
The leave year runs from the date of starting with Runnymede and most staff start with 23
working days or the equivalent in hours. Entitlement increases with continuous Runnymede
service as set out in the chart as per below:
Total Number of days
On appointment
23 days
After 1 year RBC service
24 days
After 2 years RBC service
25 days
After 3 years RBC service
26 days
After 4 years RBC service
27 days
After 5 years continuous Local
Government service
28 days
After 10 years continuous
service with Runnymede
and Chief Officers
31 days
NB: All Annual leave entitlement will be calculated pro rata for part time staff.
Included in your annual leave entitlement is a designated Christmas closure day that staff are
required to ‘set aside’. The date of the Christmas closure day is confirmed each year. Existing
holiday arrangements are usually honoured. Additional paid and unpaid leave is allowed in
exceptional circumstances. Apart from calculation of long service level entitlement, there is
no carry-forward facility with other Local Authorities.
Hours of Work
The working week is based on 37 hours per week. If you have applied for a part time post the
hours will be shown on the advert and in the Salary information below. Your working pattern
will be explained to you following a job offer.
Payment of Salary
Salary is paid on the 15th day of each month for the whole calendar month period (i.e.
approximately two weeks in advance, two weeks in arrears) and is paid direct into staff's bank
accounts.
Probation Period
In common with the practice in many organisations, new entrants to Runnymede are subject
to a probationary period of up to 6 months prior to being transferred to the permanent staff. At
that time you will receive an appraisal and, if appropriate, a salary review.
The Civic Centre
The majority of the Council's staff are based at the modern Civic Centre in Addlestone where
a scheme of flexible working hours is in operation for most posts. If your post is based here,
very limited staff car parking is currently available. For information on this please see the
attached Staff Parking Guidance. Wherever possible, staff are encouraged to use public
transport or to car share in order to reduce carbon emissions. A public Pay & Display car park
is available at Garfield Road.
Training
In addition to 'on the job' training, the Council is keen to ensure that its staff receive full
support to enable them to undertake training in order to acquire further skills and/or
qualifications relevant to their role.
Sports Facilities
Discounted membership of Addlestone and Egham Leisure Centres is available to staff.
Childcare Support
Childcare Vouchers are available to staff on a salary sacrifice basis as a tax efficient way of
meeting childcare costs.
Health Cash Plan Scheme
After 3 years service with Runnymede, staff are offered a free health cash plan.
Medical Support
A confidential counselling service is available to staff. Staff using a computer on a regular
basis have access to regular free eye tests and assistance with the cost of glasses.
Professional Fees
Where appropriate, the Council will pay for membership of one relevant professional body.
Relocation Assistance
It is recognised that the high cost of housing in this area will be a major factor for those
currently living in other areas when considering employment with Runnymede. In order to
help offset the costs involved the Council has a relocation benefits package which includes
payment of:
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removal and storage expenses;
lodging or excess travelling allowances;
legal and other fees;
disturbance allowance;
fares home.
In addition, the Council operates a Mortgage Equalisation Scheme which is designed to assist
in enabling house owners moving into this area to meet the high cost of purchasing a
property. For non owner-occupiers a Rental Equalisation Scheme has been introduced to
assist new staff moving into this area to meet the comparatively high cost of rented
accommodation. The full details of these schemes are available from Human Resources.
Eligibility criteria exist for some of these benefits and all benefits are subject to review
by the Council from time to time
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST DETAILS
1. DETAILS
Department:
Division:
Section:
Post Title:
Hours:
Post No:
Grade:
Work Base:
Prepared/Agreed by :
Date:
Resources
Financial Services
Accountancy
Accountant
37 hours per week
B0069
8/10
Civic Centre, Addlestone
Paul French
April 2016
2. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to:
Chief Accountant
3. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RESOURCES
None.
4. JOB PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES
i) To provide a comprehensive, competent and professional management, costing,
budgeting, and accounting service to the Council and its associated companies.
ii) To deliver robust, accurate and timely advice to senior officers, company directors, budget
managers and other stakeholders.
iii) Add value to accounting functions by planning and co-ordinating duties in order to satisfy
statutory requirements and Codes of Practice in respect of financial accounting.
iv) Develop and administer effective systems to manage the Council's overall VAT obligations
including identifying areas of potential VAT risk and advising as appropriate.
5. MAIN DUTIES OF THE POST
MAIN DUTIES OF THE POST
FREQUENCY
(daily, weekly,
monthly,
annually, etc)
Service Accounting
1. Prepare the annual budgets for services in accordance with the agreed estimate
programme by using information supplied by, and in consultation with, managers
and from allocation working papers by analysing information as appropriate to
enable robust budgets to be set that are consistent with the Council’s financial
strategy.
Annually
(Aug – Jan)
2. Prepare the final accounts for services in accordance with the agreed Closing of
Accounts programme by rigorously testing and examining information from the
relevant finance system and from managers in order that robust and accurate
service actuals are produced. Undertake the production of a high quality statement
of accounts on the IFRS basis that is fully compliant with the relevant Codes of
Practice
Annually
(Mar – June)
3. Develop the system for the effective budgetary control of services by continuously
reviewing the systems for providing budgetary control data, to ensure that, in
consultation with Budget Managers, variances are identified and reported
effectively and appropriate action taken.
Monthly
(& on request)
4. Provide regular and up to date management information by using data from the
Total Finance system and present it in a format that enables Budget Managers to
monitor adherence to budgets effectively.
As required
5. Provide proactive and responsive advice and support to Budget Managers as
requested by giving verbal and written advice in order to assist them in achieving
budgetary targets and in understanding the Council’s financial rules.
As required
Company Accounting
6. Provide a full bookkeeping service for the Council’s companies including the
preparation of management accounts reconciling the sales and purchase ledgers,
setting up payments to suppliers, banking and bank reconciliation.
Monthly
7. Preparing and maintaining cashflow forecasts and assisting the directors with the
ongoing business plans for the various companies.
As required
8. Preparation of quarterly VAT Returns and their online filing.
Quarterly
9. Maintain and develop the accounting software, acting as the system administrator
for all three companies.
As required
10. Liaison with external accountants and auditors in relation to the annual accounts,
taxation and group accounting requirements (both intercompany and Council).
As required
11. Maintaining records of all inter-company and Council-to-company transactions to
assist in their elimination when consolidating the accounts.
On-going
Financial Services and Advice
12. Represent the Corporate Head of Resources at working parties and project teams
by attending meetings and providing financial information and advice in order to
assist in the achievement of the aims of these groups and teams.
As required
13. Provide proactive and responsive advice and support to Managers as requested by
giving verbal and written advice in order to assist them in applying and
understanding the relevant financial rules and procedures.
As required
Value Added Tax (VAT)
14. Develop and administer effective systems to manage the Council's overall VAT
obligations by continuously reviewing procedures and monitoring these effectively
and by developing accounting systems that provide the information required, to
ensure that VAT obligations are being accounted for and reported to HMRC
correctly.
Ongoing
15. Identify areas of potential VAT risk and advise as appropriate on the appropriate
VAT management of these risks by continuously reviewing the Council’s activities,
requesting advise as appropriate from the Council’s VAT consultants, and making
recommendations to the Corporate Head of Finance on the most appropriate VAT
treatment, to ensure that VAT penalties are avoided and that the most appropriate
VAT strategies are adopted.
Ongoing
16. Advise managers and staff generally on VAT procedures by making such
investigations as are necessary to ensure that problems are promptly and efficiently
resolved, in order that VAT obligations are dealt with effectively.
Ongoing
17. Provide all returns required by the HMRC for VAT purposes by keeping effective
controls and completing the returns accurately and completely to ensure that timely
and proper returns are made.
Monthly
Other Items
18. Develop and maintain procedure notes for all activities (both company and Council
related) updating them to take account of new circumstances and for improvements
in order to achieve best value in the administration of these schemes.
Ongoing
6. JOB PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES
1. The post holder must hold an Accounting Technician or equivalent qualification. The post-holder will
undertake continuous development to ensure that best practice is delivered within financial
management activities to the benefit of the Council and its associated companies. The post holder
will identify innovative recommendations for the enhancement of effective corporate and operational
financial management strategies, policies and procedures.
2. The post holder must:
 Be familiar with modern information technology.
 Be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
 Demonstrate a high degree of numeracy and accuracy
 Organise and prioritise workload to meet specific deadlines
 Support managers in meeting their financial responsibilities
 Be flexible in their approach to their duties
7. TRAINING
1. The appropriate training will be given to ensure that the post holder continues to update and develop
professional knowledge required in this post.
2. Training may also be considered to assist managerial development.
General
The above is a record of the main duties and responsibilities of this post at a given date. As
necessary, following consultation, duties and responsibilities may change from time to time to meet
the requirements of the service. Any such changes will be incorporated in a revised Job Description
and, where appropriate, result in a re-evaluation of the grade of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post Name:
Completed By:
Post Number:
Accountant
Date:
Paul French
Essential
How
Assessed?
A.F
INT
Desirable
B0069
April 2017
How
Assessed?
A.F
INT
Education & Training
Part Qualified Accountant or fully qualified
AAT with a commitment to complete a fully
recognised CCAB qualification.
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Fully Qualified Accountant with
recognised CCAB qualification
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Evidence of commitment to
Continuing Professional
Development
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Worked in local government or
other public sector body.
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Experience of VAT in a local
government context.
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Experience & Knowledge
Previous accounting experience including
private sector work.
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Experience of producing management
accounts including full profit and loss, cash
flow and balance sheet reviews.
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Experience of managing company bank
accounts including full reconciliations and
cash flow management.
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Knowledge and experience of carrying out
the VAT function in a working environment.
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Experience of budget setting and
budgetary control functions.
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Experience of using windows based
computerised financial packages in a
medium size company or public sector
organisation.
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Ability to work accurately and methodically
to a high level of detail whilst under
pressure to meet deadlines.
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Honesty and integrity in handling personal
financial information.
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Ability to work as part of a team, to work
co-operatively and willingly with others,
supporting colleagues and sharing
workloads.
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Self-motivated, with the ability to work
alone, flexibly and to prioritise effectively.
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Personal Qualities/Personality
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Friendly and positive personality.
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Good verbal communication skills
when explaining job related
matters.
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Skills
Highly numerate - Confident with using
figures and able to understand and explain
the meaning of figures in a clear way to
non-finance staff and managers
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Ability to develop the potential of IT
packages.
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Ability to communicate effectively at all
levels, both verbally and in writing.
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Ability to analyse data and present it in a
format suitable for reports to financial and
service managers.
Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet package.
Good working knowledge of
Microsoft Word package.
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Strong attention to detail and commercial
awareness
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Special Requirements
Desire to work in local
government.
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