CHIEF ACCOUNTANT
Cheshire Constabulary presents an exciting opportunity as we are recruiting to the role of Chief Accountant (Deputy s151) within our high performing Finance Department based at Cheshire Constabulary Headquarters in Winsford.
The Chief Account supports the overall financial management and governance of Cheshire Constabulary and provides an in-depth support to the Chief Finance Officer (s151), acting as their deputy as and when appropriate.
This role is responsible for leading on the technical accounting and strategy functions within the Finance Team including but not exclusively, Treasury Management, taxation and capital accounting and represents the finance function at Management & Operational meetings as well as being responsible for providing strategic financial and business planning advice, along with developing financial strategies, which allows Cheshire Constabulary to understand its current and future financial positions.
In this role you will be expected to interpret policy and be skilled in presenting complex, and sometimes uncomfortable information, making persuasive arguments for a course of action to a range of senior managers and senior police officers. You will provide expert knowledge on technical financial issues and will be a subject matter expert on financial management.
At all times you must ensure that statutory accounts and financial returns conform to national accounting standards to reflect a true and fair view and meet all appropriate timescales. You will be required to adhere to your professional bodies’ requirement for Continual Professional Development, maintaining an understanding of changes in the financial environment and be guided by national policy to develop appropriate processes in response.
You will also be expected to ensure that finance systems and processes are appropriate and efficient to meet business needs and comply with Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.
You will have a proven track record of managing a professional finance team with a strong customer focus, preferably in a public sector environment. You will also have a comprehensive understanding of financial legislation and best practice in the public sector along with excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to make risk-based decisions.
We welcome applications from candidates who are CCAB qualified (CIPFA preferable) with a minimum of five year’s post qualification experience as well as substantial public sector experience and experience of working in a political environment.
If this role if for you then we welcome an application from you. Further information about the role is available in the attached Role Profile and to apply for this role please submit a comprehensive CV of your full career history along with a 500-word personal statement detailing your suitability for this role.
Candidates who pass our paper sifting process will be invited to attend an initial screening interview. If successful at this stage of the process, you will be invited to attend a Competency based interview at Cheshire Constabulary Headquarters.
Please note that this advert may close early if we receive applications from a number of suitable candidates prior to the initial advertised closing date.
