Croydon has faced significant challenges in recent years, in terms of the Council's financial position and of course the pandemic challenge faced by every local authority.
This is a very exciting time to join Croydon as we move from the recovery and improvement phases to the transformational phase of our journey to bring the Council back to financial sustainability.
You will be helping to rebuild the Council, its finances, its governance, its culture and its services. The financial challenge is steep, but the Government has noted our strong progress, with a new Executive Mayor, Cabinet, Chief Executive and Corporate Management Team, who all share a commitment to the task ahead and putting Croydon's people first.
Croydon is a fantastic place; a vital part of London's growth story with a strong identity in its own right and this is a rare chance to make genuine change in a place of great opportunity. What we do together over the next three years will help shape the future of one of London's most diverse and exciting boroughs.
As a Finance Manager within the Chief Accountant Team, you will be supporting finance and service personnel with the finalising of the Council's annual accounts, to meet statutory and best practice financial requirements, and to promote the Council's corporate competencies and values. Following the recent restructure of the finance function, we are looking to appoint three Finance Managers within the Chief Accountant Team across the following areas: Closing/Reporting, Capital/Properties and Systems.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ensure the Council's Accounts are produced in a timely manner and to a high standard.
- Ensure that key accounting practices are developed and maintained, to meet the changing needs of the Council.
- Compliance with the financial reporting requirements of the system and making sure that the financial systems are fit for purpose.
- Lead on financial performance reporting for revenue and capital including monitoring the Collection Fund, government grants and use of reserves.
- Provide financial direction and reporting on the Council's capital programme and financing, working closely with the Director of Commercial Investment.
- Ensure that the Council's Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Capital Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement link with capital programme financing and the Council's investments and borrowing are shown correctly in the Council's accounts.
To be suitable for the role you need to be a qualified accountant (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent) or have extensive knowledge and experience of local government finance. You will have extensive knowledge and experience of budget setting, financial monitoring (capital and revenue) and closing the accounts.
You will also have substantial experience of successful financial management, financial planning, and budget preparation as well as delivering finance service improvements and supporting the delivery of strategic projects and initiatives. Significant knowledge and experience of general ledger packages and other IT packages is essential.
To apply, please submit your CV alongside a supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) stating why you are interested in applying, what you can bring to this role and highlighting your relevant experience and suitability.
The closing date is Sunday 18th August 2024 at 11:59 pm.
Equal opportunities
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.