JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Financial Accountant
Responsible to:
Director of Finance
Responsible for:
Systems Development Officer
Summary of Role:
To provide a high level of professional accounting and management support to the
Director of Finance which will ensure all objectives in the LSTM group finance
strategy are met or exceeded. Particular emphasis is given to the development of
robust cash and treasury management, financial controls and the financial
statements of the group.
General Responsibilities:
1. Assist in the preparation of the LSTM Group of Companies annual budgets
2. Work alongside the Director of Finance in delivering LSTM’s strategic plan through the development &
preparation of accounting information
3. Work closely with the other accountants within the LSTM Group either leading or assisting, where
appropriate
4. Make a significant contribution towards the development of the finance department’s future strategic plan
5. Take an active role in the change management process, contributing ideas, dealing with staff concerns, &
taking a lead role in its implementation
6. Responsibility for annual staff appraisals, training & development needs & goal setting through the year in
line with the strategic plan
7. Effectively project manage appropriate cross functional projects throughout LSTM when required
8. Provide advice & support on finance issues to all staff
9. Ensure compliance with both the financial regulations & financial procedures
10. Develop & monitor key performance indicators
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Preparation of all LSTM subsidiaries Financial Statements
2. Assist in the preparation of the LSTM Group Financial Statements
3. Day to day treasury management of the LSTM Group
4. Preparation of monthly cash flow report including 12 month rolling cash flow forecast
5. Ensure all grants & contracts in foreign currencies are appropriately hedged
6. Be the LSTM Group’s tax liaison officer with its professional advisers & HMRC
7. Ensure that VAT is being correctly applied & reported throughout LSTM
8. Preparation & submission of the LSTM Group VAT return
9. Line management of the Systems Development Officer
10. All financial software maintenance & development
11. Manage access rights to the finance software
12. Ensure all users of finance software have had appropriate training
13. Development & monitoring of effective financial systems in overseas offices in collaboration with the
Business Accountant that allow a high level of confidence to release future advances
14. Be the Finance Department’s liaison officer with the HR Department & payroll providers on all payroll
related matters
15. Be the Finance Department’s liaison officer with HEFCE on all matters relating to the HEFCE grant & HEFCE
returns
16. Maintain an asset register for the LSTM group
17. Ensure the Finance Department is planning for, & adhering to, required deadlines (external & internal)
18. Ensure both the financial regulations & the financial procedures manuals are kept up to date
19. Ensure appropriate financial controls are in place throughout the LSTM Group
20. Ensure all non-finance staff are kept aware of financial controls & procedures, holding training sessions
where necessary
21. Ensure appropriate management reports are provided by the Systems Development Officer
22. Monitor actual capital expenditure to budget and discuss and resolve potential adverse variances with the
Head of Estates in a timely manner
23. Prepare reports for the Building Steering Group
24. Monitor & report on the LSTM Group’s investment & endowment portfolio
25. To carry out such other duties reasonably consistent with the foregoing, as may be required
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Financial Accountant
Criteria
Education & training
Experience
Essential or
desirable
Assessment
 CCAB Qualified Accountant
 Degree
 Experience of effective management of
staff
E
D
Application
Form/CV
E
 Experience in financial management
and reporting
 Understanding and appreciation of risk
management strategies and techniques
 Working
with
major
industrial
stakeholders
E
Application
Form/CV/,
Assessment and
Interview
Competencies
 Experience of managing and
monitoring significant budgets
 Experience of using unified ledger
accounting software
 Experience of research funded projects
and international funders
 Experience of negotiating with senior
members of staff and compromising if
possible without infringing on the
integrity or correctness of the
accounting records
 Experience of forecasting for foreign
currency exposure and mitigating risks
 Experience in treasury management
 Experience of using Cognos or similar
reporting software
Skills & Abilities
E
E
E
E
D
D
D
D
D
 Ability to set and work to targets, and
deliver against objectives and project
milestones
E
 The ability to acquire new skills quickly
and identify the implications for the
implementation within the
development
E
 Ability to communicate financial
matters to non-financial senior
professional staff
E
 Work effectively in a team or
independently within a pressurised
environment
E
Application
Form/CV
Assessment and
Interview
 Proven ability to multi-task, and
prioritise tasks with minimal
supervision and the ability to delegate
 To be able to discuss and negotiate
matters with outside bodies at all
levels.
 To be proactive in suggesting
improvements and new methods of
working and reporting
 Excellent IT skills
 Proven ability to develop and maintain
relationships with a variety of
organisations and user groups
Knowledge
Special aptitude
Circumstances
E
E
E
E
D
 To be comfortable with accounting
practices and conventions and hold an
appreciation of internal control issues.
E
 Familiar with group reporting and
accounting issues.
E
 Knowledge of Income Tax, Corporation
Tax and VAT
D
 Knowledge of Charities financial
requirements
D
 Personal drive and enthusiasm
E
 To be flexible in outlook and willing to
adopt change
E
 To be focused and capable of
producing results
E
 Taking ownership and resolving
problems.
E
 Availability to travel overseas
E
Assessment and
Interview
Assessment and
Interview