Accounting Technician

The Corporate Services function is integral to Essex County Council's ways of working and how we support Essex citizens. Our technology team work across all services ensuring that we are able to provide great solutions to both the workforce and 1.4 million residents of Essex in a digital age. Our Finance team oversees all financial management aspects - and as the second largest local authority in the country, with that scale comes opportunity both professionally. But most importantly of all, we want people who are creative thinkers who want to find better value ways to deliver outcomes to Essex residents. Corporate Services compromises of a number of centralized core professional services such as Finance, Legal and Procurement, and also oversees all Technology services for Essex, including devices, services, and security. Our Finance team includes financial strategy, management, and accounting, but also oversees transactional services ranging from debtors to financial assessment, to debt management. Our Legal services incudes overseeing the democratic services, insurance, and risk. At Essex we have a centralized Procurement team that is CIPs accredited - overseeing contract management, sourcing and market shaping for over £1billion spend. We provide arrangements for Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) members through the Essex Pension Fund and are the lead accountable body for the delivery of economic growth with the South Essex Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). We look for individuals who can match our passion, bring expertise and ideas, and join us in delivering outstanding professional services. Please take a look at our vacancies and explore what opportunities there are for you to join us. To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services The Opportunity This role will contribute to the delivery of a high performing, customer focused service, delivering all aspects of financial management information to both the members of the management accounting team and budget holders, ensuring quality of information is provided to stakeholders. The role supports the efficient running of the Finance Hub and works effectively to meet customer requirements by ensuring information is delivered efficiently within agreed timeframes. It requires the provision of high-quality advice, information, analysis, and interpretation to finance colleagues to underpin effective decision making and meet financial governance requirements across the business. Partly qualified this role is expected to build strong relationships with finance colleagues and relevant stakeholders across the Council. Accountabilities

• Provide timely, accurate information and advice to budget holders to ensure they allow effective management of budgets, support the development of financial plans, and assist them in carrying out their financial duties.
• Undertake some analysis of financial and performance data and provide financial advice. In addition, develop some understanding of unit costs and drivers in order to assess variances in a robust manner.
• Build a strong understanding of all financial management and reporting systems and processes, ensuring clarity on financial systems and processes to maximise efficiency ensuring proper reconciliation and control procedures are in place.
• Deliver accurate financial estimates, forecasts and plans ensuring all identified risks are quantified and appropriately recorded.
• Support the financial management of the Capital Programme for colleagues.
• Support the timely delivery and preparation of information for business case submissions from a financial perspective, quality assuring the information provided.
• Deliver information to support the annual accounts closure programme as requested and in accordance with the agreed timetable.
  
  Experience of working with financial management issues and finding solutions.
• Experience of process and practice improvements within a finance setting.
• Experience of providing financial advice, challenge, and support to budget holders.
• Working with a range of financial systems and processes, supporting their development.
• Working proactively with colleagues within the Finance Hub and across the finance function.
• Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) in 5 subjects including Math's and English or working towards AAT or other vocational accounting qualification.
• Ability to establish credibility with budget holders, finance colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Ability to develop skills and knowledge within role.
  
  Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you. Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community