Assistant Director of Finance

About the job Assistant Director of Finance

Purpose of Job: Support the Executive Director of Strategy & Resources in ensuring high quality financial administration and stewardship throughout the Council. As a member of the Finance Leadership Team, work with theS
151 officer, wider leadership team, CMT, Members and senior officers to develop the vision and values for us and to be responsible for the delivery of that vision through sound financial management in the Council.

The responsibilities listed in this Job Description reflect the joint accountabilities of the Finance Leadership Team and will be shared between this post and that of the other Assistant Director Finance.

Generic accountabilities:

• Lead in the development and implementation of the Councils financial strategy, fundamentally ensuring sustainability over the medium term.
• Direct and lead a portfolio of services, ensuring the development of strategies, policies, targets and objectives that deliver Barnets strategic, operational and financial requirements and meet all necessary regulatory and legislative requirements (including any assigned regulatory designations).
• The on-going development and co-ordination of the corporate financial framework, including the medium term financial strategy, to enable the Council to prioritise and utilise its financial resources to the greatest effect and ensure activity and process comply with professional standards, Government regulations and legislation.
• Actively contribute to the formulation and implementation of the Councils strategies and objectives as a member of Barnets leadership team
• Work with Council Members, strategic directors, partner organisation and stakeholders to identify and address issues impacting on Council Services, residents and service users.
• Leads the organisation in producing the statement of accounts and gaining an unmodified audit opinion.
• Ensure the capability to change is enhanced and innovation is encouraged including in the design of service delivery through partnership and other relationships internally and externally.
• The delivery of a responsive service to provide financial advice and guidance to management teams and budget managers across the Council.
• Ensuring an effective Audit and Risk Management function, including internal controls, that ensures robust controls are in place to protect the Councils resources.

Role Specific:

• Lead the Councils Budget Setting process in order to deliver accurate and timely intelligence to Members and Chief Officers.
• The delivery of a responsive service to provide financial advice and guidance to management teams and budget managers across the Council.
• The on-going development and co-ordination of the corporate financial framework, including the medium term financial strategy, to enable the Council to prioritise and utilise its financial resources to the greatest effect and ensure activity and process comply with professional standards, Government regulations and legislation.
• The delivery of robust and efficient financial systems, processes and policies in place supported by effective training and the provision of guidance to budget managers and system users.
• Closure of accounts and securing unmodified audit opinion.
• To support the Executive Director of Strategy & Resources in the discharge the statutory responsibilities under Section 151 of the Local Government Act and Section 114 of the Local Government Finance Act relating to the administration of the financial affairs of the Authority.
• The delivery of robust and efficient financial systems, processes and policies in place supported by effective training and the provision of guidance to budget managers and system users.
• The delivery of an efficient and effective accountancy and treasury management services that enable financial resources to be accurately recorded, monitored, and controlled whilst maximising the benefits of reserves and ensuring the Councils cash flow is sufficient to meet all payments due. To ensure the delivery of the Statement of Accounts for the Council, Pension Fund, and any other entities within the required timescales without material error or misstatement.
• To monitor the Councils compliance with relevant legislation, statutory duties and Council policies and regulations.
• For services he or she is responsible for, to forecast income and expenditure Liaise with internal and external audit to commission and respond to audit reviews and ensure that the action plans are implemented within agreed deadlines.
• Ensure value for money is achieved across the Council. Take ownership of and provide mitigating actions for any risks for the service.

Strategy and Policy Development:

• Lead in the development and implementation of the Councils financial strategy, fundamentally ensuring sustainability over the medium term.
• To work with Members and the Council Management Team to define the organisations strategic plans and support their implementation through the strategic deployment of the Councils resources.
• To…