Financial Accountant

The Financial Accountant is a crucial role in maintaining the financial health and efficiency of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS), supporting both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic goals.

This role is a blend of traditional Capital and Financial Accounting, Treasury, with specialised responsibilities relating to financial, banking and payment systems.

The role will be responsible for (but not limited to);

Capital Accountancy

• Develop and maintain capital investment plans including identifying funding sources and arrange the prioritisation of projects.
• Prepare and manage the annual capital budget, to include cost forecasts, schedules and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Monitor the implementation of capital projects, ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints, and provide regular information to stakeholders to assist decision making.
• Monitor budget performance and provide variance analysis in the preparation of regular Board level reports

Financial Accounting

• Actively support the closure of accounts process and the preparation of the statutory statement of accounts by taking responsibility for the completion of relevant statements and disclosures contained within.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards (e.g. IFRS), regulations, and CIPFA Codes of practice.
• Co-ordinate with auditors during the statutory audit and completion of the internal audit plan to ensure compliance and successful opinions.
• Responsible for dealing with HMRC on aspects of VAT and tax, overseeing accurate completion of relevant returns within deadline.

Treasury Operations

• Maintain adequate liquidity to meet financial obligations, i.e. operational and capital funding needs.
• Arrange the investment of surplus funds in accordance with the Treasury Management Strategy and Scheme of Delegations.

System Duties

• Responsible for the financial accounting system, ensuring functionality and integration with internal systems, i.e. payroll, procurement, banking and finance.
• Facilitate ongoing maintenance and support for users, liaise with system providers and internal stakeholders for effective upgrade, backup and security.
• Maintain the integrity of financial data within the system to include overseeing periodic routines and the chart of accounts reflects Service reporting requirements.