Property Finance Officer

Job Introduction
**About Us**

At OCC we develop and maintain a high performing, innovative, highly engaged and agile teams, employing the best people, and reflecting the communities we serve. We nurture an environment that supports diversity, equality and inclusion, and allows all our employees to bring their whole selves to work to deliver great services for our Oxfordshire residents. Help us make Oxfordshire an even better place to live, work and visit.

**About the Role**

The Property Finance Officer role provides professional finance services and advice to support the delivery of the Estates Assets and Investment (EAI) function, it also provides analytical reporting of financial data to inform budgets and ensures compliance with the Council’s financial regulations. The role will:

- Provide input for monthly financial monitoring reports
- Advise where journals, virements and accruals are required and raise necessary enquiries with corporate finance team to implement
- Provide forecasting to assist the Council in the preparation of the Revenue Outturn Return in accordance with agreed timetables and to agreed standards
- Prepare service charge budgets where appropriate, interrogating the Council’s finance system for information and liaising with colleagues as required
- Manage and resolve all financial queries from clients, colleagues and third parties
- Provide financial information to colleagues to assist with strategic property reviews
- Support preparation of financial information required for government and statistical returns in accordance with agreed timetables
- Respond to external auditors in relation to property financial matters
- Lead the procurement of energy contracts for the operational portfolio
- Ensure payments/charges are made/raised in a timely manner in line with agreements/contracts
- Manage and mentor Assistant Finance Officer and Utility Validation Officer.

**About you**

Educated with a CIMA/ACCA qualification, you’ll have extensive experience working within finance and accounting, preferably in the public sector or property related environment. You’ll have experience maintaining financial records, budgets and case files and be able to produce clear, concise and meaningful reports to inform business decisions.

Key skills for the Property Finance Officer are the ability to make important financial assessment and decisions as well as using your own judgement in negotiating financial arrangements with colleagues and contractors to achieve positive outcomes.

It’s also important that you understand the need to comply with the Council’s Financial Regulations and statutory requirements to deliver a service in accordance with established procedures and standards.

You’ll be proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.) to deliver financial reports and analysis for senior stakeholders.

**Rewards and benefits**
- Culture of flexible working
- Up to 30**day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

**Our commitment to**:
**Equality, Diversity and Inclusion**

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

**Our commitment to**:
**Guaranteed Interview Schemes**

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

**Our commitment to**:
**Safeguarding**

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

**Our commitment to**:
**Flexible Working**

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine