Job Description

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Description

Job Title: Group Accountant

Department: Finance

Salary: 42,115 - 44,667

Job Type: Permanent

Working for Shared Services, this role provides financial support to the organisation in line with College policies and financial regulations. Reporting to the Head of Finance (HoF) and working with the Assistant Accountant (AA), this role involves the preparation of monthly accounting figures, performance reports for budget holders, balance sheet reconciliations, annual statutory accounts, audit preparation, quality control, and quarterly taxation returns (VAT).###

Key Responsibilities

Support the Head of Function with the completion of all key finance processes to the agreed finance timetable, including monthly management accounts and annual statutory accounts.

Preparation of monthly journals, accruals, and prepayments, posting and reconciliation, working alongside the AA.

Ensure the completion of all monthly balance sheet reconciliations.

Completion of daily cashflow process in the absence of the AA.

Responsible for monitoring the accuracy of the daily cashflow and cashflow forecasts, alerting the HoF of any issues.

Completion of quarterly Group VAT returns.

Monitor capital programs for the Group to agreed budgets and maintain records for audit purposes.

Completion and management of monthly deferred capital grants process.

Preparation of audit evidence and responding to queries for the annual external audit.

Provide financial reporting and support to senior managers to facilitate effective decision making

Ensure that financial policies, procedures and controls remain effective.

Attendance of relevant finance and budget holder meetings as required.

Quality control of financial data and processes.

Ensuring intercompany transactions and recharges have been carried out in a timely fashion.

Provide technical accounting support and training to the AA and the Transactions team as and when required.

Assist with the preparation of ad-hoc management accounting information and queries as and when required.

Identify and implement development of systems and processes that will directly benefit the College.

Take responsibility for personal professional development, Health & Safety, and meeting other regulatory compliances (e.g. GDPR, DPA, Safeguarding), thereby enabling safe and professional working practices to be observed at all times.

Support cross college actives as required, particularly during key enrolment and invigilation periods.

Perform any other duties as reasonably required, consistent with the scope, responsibilities, and objectives of the role.

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Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria

Accountancy qualification CCAB (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or qualified by experience in a similar role.

Relevant Management and Financial accounting experience

Innovative, creative, able to identify problems and possible solutions

An excellent team player

Ability to effectively manage complex information

Ability to develop and effectively utilise financial models (Excel).

Excellent computer literacy - ability to learn and exploit group software systems and to develop and effectively utilise financial models.

Experienced user of an integrated financial accounting system or equivalent

Excellent numerical and analytical skills and an ability to work methodically to deadlines with a high level of attention to detail

Ability to manage to tight deadlines and conflicting priorities

Commitment to work flexibly to support business need at peak periods of activity and co-operatively and positively with all internal departments and external contacts, providing excellent service, support and advice.

Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal

Committed to own personal development/CPD

Desirable Criteria

Experience of providing solutions and influencing the outcome of business issues
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Benefits

Why Join The City of Liverpool College?

As a valued member of our College community, you'll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, dedicated wellbeing support, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development.

Here are some of the benefits available to you:

Generous holiday allowance

25 days annual holiday allowance, plus 1 wellbeing day. You'll also benefit from 5 to 7 days statutory closure and 2 further days closure at Easter.

Pension Scheme

You'll be part of the Aviva pension scheme, with contributions of up to 10%.

Employee Benefits Platform

As part of your role, you'll have access to the COLC Employee Benefits Platform, a one-stop hub for a wide range of perks designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and everyday savings. You'll be able to access discounts at major supermarkets, fashion and lifestyle retailers, tech stores, travel providers, and more. You'll also benefit from the Cycle to Work Scheme, cinema and leisure discounts and tech and home appliance discounts, with the option of spreading the cost through salary sacrifice. The platform is part of our commitment to supporting you in every aspect of your working life - and beyond.

Health and Wellbeing

As part of our commitment to supporting your health and wellbeing, all employees have access to the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - a completely confidential support service available 24/7, 365 days a year. Whether you're facing personal challenges, looking for advice, or simply need someone to talk to, Health Assured is here to help. Through Health Assured, you can access a 24/7 confidential helpline, face to face, online or telephone counselling, as well as structured support for a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationships, bereavement, legal and financial concerns.

You'll also have access to the online wellbeing portal, asecure, user-friendly platform offering a wide range of self-help resources, health assessments, articles, and guidance covering emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing, and to the Wisdom App, which offers mood trackers and wellbeing tools, meditation guides, fitness videos, and self-help modules

as well as daily wellbeing tips.

Medicash Scheme

Access to Medicash health plans - supporting you and your family with enhanced access to treatment, wellbeing services, and expert care whenever you need it. We also offer free flu vaccinations to help keep you feeling your best all year round.

Life Assurance

We offer life assurance to give you and your family added peace of mind -- with a benefit of up to three times your annual salary payable in the event of death in service.

Travel

We've partnered with Arriva to bring you great savings on bus travel. Plus, we offer interest-free loans to help you buy annual travel passes from Merseytravel and Merseyrail. That means you can enjoy the savings of up to two months' free travel--without having to cover the full cost upfront. It's all about making your commute more affordable and less stressful.

Flexible Working

We offer flexible working options depending on business need to support our employee's work-life balance.

Professional Development

We're passionate about helping you thrive, offering a mix of formal and informal professional development opportunities--designed to sharpen your skills, expand your knowledge, and accelerate your career.

College Benefits

Our excellent sports and fitness facilities can be used free of charge by staff. You can also access a range of discounted hair and beauty treatments at our Academy and Graduate Hair & Beauty Salons, and a staff discount at our Academy Restaurant.###

About The City of Liverpool College

About The City of Liverpool College

The City of Liverpool College is a leading education provider for almost 12,000 students across the Liverpool City Region, from ages 16 and up.

Our passion for nurturing talent and personal approach to teaching makes sure all our students are fully equipped to realise their potential and be empowered to live out their career ambitions.

We believe in opportunity for all and offer access to both academic and vocational courses. From GCSE to degree level, our students achieve some of the highest exam results in the region.

As a recognised leader in skills and education, we are proud to have been named the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce 2024 Skills Provider of the Year, a testament to our deep-rooted commitment to delivering outstanding education that meets the needs of our students and the regional economy. We are also a proud member of the Chartered Institution for Further Education, reinforcing our position as a centre of excellence within the sector. Our recent Ofsted inspection rated us 'Outstanding' for Adult Provision and Personal Development, highlighting our dedication to providing life-changing education that empowers learners at every stage of their journey.

Our Mission

To provide high quality skills and education by delivering opportunities for growth to all people and businesses of the Liverpool City Region.

Our Goals

Deliver world class skills in business Provide an outstanding learning and student experience Develop the talent for sustainable employment

Safeguarding Our Students

The City of Liverpool College is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare our learners, and all staff will require an Enhanced DBS check.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?

Join a dynamic team shaping the future of education in the Liverpool City Region. With over 600 dedicated staff, five campuses, hundreds of courses, and more than 10,000 students, we're proud to be a leader in learning and innovation. Ready to make an impact? Apply now and become part of our journey.