Chief Accountant

Description:

We are looking for a dynamic individual with appropriate experience and skills, a positive attitude, capable and resilient, determined with a natural ability to solve problems, working under pressure to deliver consistently high quality finance services within a changing context.
If you thrive in a complex and exciting environment and always strive for financial excellence, then this is the place for you and we would love you to join us. Sussex and Surrey police are two of only 3 forces nationally to have piloted the national Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s “Achieving Finance Excellence in Policing” programme.
As we drive forward to achieve Finance Excellence in Policing you can be part of changing both our culture and systems and processes. This will include setting new corporate standards, implementing new systems and processes, driving continual improvement and inspirational leadership. This is integral to our approach to modernisation and shaping our finance team to ensure we meet our strategic and operational needs now and in the future.
This postholder will lead on the delivery of Financial Accounting services for Surrey and Sussex Police. They will assure the compliance of financial accounting activities with the statutory requirements and with best practice financial standards.
The post holder will be required to work with clients across both Surrey and Sussex sites and therefore will be expected to travel to locations in both counties as part of this role.

Key Responsibilities

Working alongside other members of the finance team you will produce high quality statutory financial reporting services. You will support the development of your team and working alongside the Head of Business Partnering and Support, will help continue the improvement and professionalisation of the overall service. You will fulfil a key role in liaising with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Joint Audit Committee with regard to the Statement of Accounts for both Forces’, and be the key contact for external and internal audit in this regard. You will also have responsibilities for managing treasury and banking, capital accounting, financial systems as well as overseeing the budget and reporting arrangement for the Forces’ pension funds.

Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role, you must have a solid financial background as a qualified CCAB accountant with relevant experience of working within a large and complex financial environment; with specific knowledge and experience of fulfilling the Chief Accountant’s role, together will clear experience of self-motivation and workload prioritisation.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written are essential for this role, alongside good organising and influencing skills, with strong attention to detail and ability to plan workloads and support others to ensure that all tasks are completed to the required standard and on time.

Further Information

For the right candidate this role will also attract a market rate supplement taking the maximum salary up to £80,000 per annum.
There are a number of other benefits that come with the role:

• We recognise that our people are balancing demanding careers with commitments and interests outside of work. We welcome applications and discussion with candidates who want to work full-time or part-time/flexible hours
• Hybrid and agile working arrangements are also potentially available.
• Annual leave is 199.8 hrs (27 days), rising to 236.8 hours after 5yrs service (plus public holidays).
• LGPS Pension scheme: employee contribution is dependant on salary: £48,501 to £67,900 is 8.50%; £67,901 to £96,200 is 9.90%
• An employee assistance programme for advice and counselling.
• Access to discounts, savings and cash back rewards.
• A number of staff networks, sports and social clubs