Head of Finance

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Head of Finance will be responsible for providing financial leadership to & driving the financial strategy of the Social Security Department (Annual budget of approximately £190 million & net assets in excess of £550 million.)

The Head of Finance is responsible for leading the Finance & General Services sections, which will include improving the controls, processes & team structure to ensure the Finance team are producing financial information & analysis that can be used to aid strategic decision-making & add real value to the section’s customers.

The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that there are effective arrangements in place for the investment, custody & financial administration of the Social Security Department’s financial assets.

1. To lead the Finance section & the provision of advice & guidance on all finance related matters, specific examples of responsibilities include:
• Financial planning – review, approval & high level analysis of budgeting & forecasting reports.
• Financial reporting – review, approval & analysis of monthly & quarterly management accounts (& accompanying reports), as well as the review of year end financial statements for compliance with UK GAAP (& in due course IFRS) & local regulations.
• Financial administration – ultimate oversight of the daily & weekly processes relating to accounts payable & receivable.
• Financial infrastructure – working with the Computer Services Section to ensure the financial processing infrastructure is as robust, secure & efficient as possible.
• Financial control – implementation & monitoring of rigorous regimes of financial control.
• Investment management – to monitor the performance of the external investment agents against signed Investment Management Agreements & being the main point of contact for all investment related queries.
2. To provide analysis & advice on financial & investment strategy to the Members & Chief Officer, Social Security Department, using internal financial information obtained internally & recommendations/data from External Managers & Advisors.
3. To work with the Chief Accountant for the States of Guernsey to manage the IFRS convergence project.
4. To identify improvement areas within finance & general services & project manage the implementation of any identified changes.
5. To be responsible for any ad hoc projects as requested by the Chief Officer, Social Security Department.
KEY CRITERIA:

1. A recognised professional Accountancy qualification (CCAB), with significant post qualified experience.
2. A sound knowledge of UK GAAP & IFRS accounting standards & relevant experience in the application of these standards.
3. To demonstrate a sound knowledge & application of investment matters.
4. A proven ability to meet deadlines & manage multiple projects.
5. Excellent leadership skills & the ability to build a cohesive & flexible team.

Disclosure of Criminal Convictions

Due to the nature of this post, & if your application is successful, you will be required to undergo an Enhanced Police Check.

All disclosures of a criminal background will be treated with the strictest confidence & checks will only be made in connection with your application for this post & for no other purpose.

Convictions likely to be considered relevant to this post include convictions relating to dishonesty, theft, fraud & embezzlement.

However, disclosure of a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from employment in this post – this will depend on the nature of the offence/s & the circumstances surrounding it/them.

Please note that applicants should not make any disclosure of criminal convictions at this stage. Disclosure will only be required of the successful applicant following the interview.