Deputy Responsible Finance Officer

This is a brand-new role in a fast-growing council. We are seeking an ambitious, dynamic and proactive Deputy Responsible Finance Officer to lead and manage the finance team and finance activities across the Council.

The Town Council’s net budget is £2.5 million. In addition to its current services, a number of services will be devolved to Yeovil Town Council from Somerset Council. These include Yeovil Recreation Centre; Yeovil Country Park; South Somerset Heritage Collection; and the Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue.

You will need to be either AAT qualified or CCAB qualified/part qualified, with a good working knowledge of budgets, financial accounting and internal controls. The post holder will work closely with the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer

**Main Purposes of the Role**

To lead and manage the Finance Team, ensuring an effective delivery of financial activities across the Council.

To work as part of the leadership team, contributing to the achievements of Yeovil Town Council’s objectives.

To work with the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer to develop and maintain information and monitoring systems, ensuring a sound system of internal controls.

**Overall Responsibilities**

To be responsible on a day-to-day basis for all aspects of the Council’s finance and payroll arrangements, in accordance with the Financial Regulations of the Council, legal requirements and best practice.

**Summary of Responsibilities and Duties of the Job**

1. To advise on all financial matters and to provide necessary information for effective decision making.

2. To deputise for the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer in her absence for all financial matters.

3. To maintain a working knowledge of financial legislation, codes of practice and best practice

4. To assist the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer in creating and maintaining the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

5. To support the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer in preparing draft budgets for Council consideration and to advise on Precept requirements.

6. To be responsible for the Council’s budget monitoring and highlighting to the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer and Councillors any issues.

7. To be responsible for the closure of the year end accounts, including completion of Statutory Financial Returns and liaising with both internal and external auditors.

8. To support the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer in assessing Earmarked Reserves and General Fund Balances.

9. To maintain the Council’s asset register.

10. To assist with ensuring that all legal, statutory and other provisions governing or impacting the financial running of the Council are observed, and that policies remain relevant.

11. To monitor compliance to adopted policies of the Council; including the Financial Regulations and to report any breaches to the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer.

12. To effectively manage and develop the Council’s financial management systems.

13. To manage the payroll function, ensuring that employees are paid on time and the relevant payslips and other PAYE forms are distributed as appropriate, and that all PAYE, NI and pension requirements are fulfilled.

14. To oversee and advise on all areas of procurement, ensuring that the correct procedures are followed in accordance with the Financial Regulations.

15. To ensure that all invoices for goods and services are paid for by the Council in a timely manner.

16. To ensure that all invoices are issued on behalf of the Council for goods and services delivered and to ensure that payment for these are received in a timely manner.

17. To manage and maintain the Council’s petty cash arrangements in accordance with the Financial Regulations

18. To ensure that money received by the Council is banked regularly.

19. To ensure that monthly bank reconciliations are carried out and presented to the Council as required.

20. To ensure that the preparation and the submission of VAT returns are actioned as appropriate.

21. To assist the Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer in developing and maintaining the Council’s Investment Strategy.

22. To manage investments in line with the Council’s Investment Strategy.

23. To manage the Council’s cashflow in accordance to need.

24. To manage the Council’s grant arrangements, assisting when required, organisations and individuals who may wish to apply.

25. To ensure that the Council complies with all aspects of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where it impacts on the financial and payroll aspects of the Council.

26. To ensure that the Council complies with the Local Government Transparency Act 2015.

27. To prepare in consultation with Town Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer and other officers as appropriate, reports for meetings of the Council

28. To attend meetings and present reports as appropriate.

29. To manage the Finance Team, ensuring the effective delegation and