ConfidentialPage 111/02/2018

Position Description

Liverpool Plains Shire Council: Human Resources

Position Title: / Manager Finance
Reports to: / Director Corporate Services
Location: / Council Administration Centre 60 Station Street Quirindi
Band/Level/Grade: / 8
Additional aspects of
Remuneration Package: / Access to a range of salary packaging benefits
Any unusual features
of position

FUNCTION SUMMARY: (Purpose/Objective of the Position)

  • Effectively manage all aspects of Council’s Finance Section and ensure

Council’s financial systems are managed in accordance with statutory

and Council guidelines.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: (the type of client/customer/community relationships that are critical to the effective functioning of the job)

Within Department: / Director Corporate Services
Other Corporate Services Staff
Within Council: / General Manager
Senior Staff
Supervisors
Salaried Staff
Councillors
External to Council:
(e.g. community, business & other government / Public Authorities
Professional Organisations
Auditors
Government Offices
Local Businesses
Employees of other Councils
Members of the Public

PART TWO: Key Outcomes and Performance Standards:

NB: The key outcomes and performance standards are required by all staff. These standards are required to be met each and every year in order to be eligible for progression for the purposes of pay.

Key Outcomes / Performance Standard
Follow defined WH&S procedures /
  • Workplace procedures and instructions for controlling risks are followed accurately
  • Hazards in the work area are recognized and reported to the immediate supervisor
  • Reports on accidents and incidents are provided to the immediate supervisor in accordance with Council requirements.
  • Assist others in the work team with implementing risk management policies and procedures.

Provide service to customers /
  • Handles requests for action or information using Council’s protocol and procedures.
  • Responds accurately to verbal enquiries from the community about specific work area and functions.
  • Carries out all processes within the agreed Council timeframes.

Work effectively within and for Liverpool Plains Shire Council /
  • Duties are performed in accordance with Council administrative and human resources policies such as timekeeping, records management, WH&S and EEO.
  • Own work is monitored and improved, according to requirements for job quality, customer service.
  • Requests for assistance from other staff or the public are responded to promptly and appropriately.
  • Effectively contribute to change processes and other ideas in a constructive and productive way.

Work with others in Council /
  • Duties are undertaken in a manner that promotes cooperation and good relationships within Council.
  • Work information is shared with co-workers to ensure designated work goals are met.
  • Communication with others is conducted in a clear and concise manner and focused on the best way to achieve work objectives.
  • The principles and intent of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) are observed and implemented.

Communicate effectively in the workplace /
  • Participation with work group and other teams is supportive, efficient and effective, with the primary goal of helping Council achieve its objectives.
  • Participation in work meetings is consistent with purpose of meeting and meeting conventions understood and observed.
  • Information, instructions and decisions are understood and adhered to.

Follow defined ethical guidelines from Council, including its Code of Conduct /
  • Understanding and day to day implementation of Council’s Code of Conduct & Protected Disclosures Act
  • Any potential conflicts of interest are reported immediately to the relevant Council officer
  • Support is given to other staff who may wish to report any potential conflicts of interest

PART THREE: ESSENTIAL AND DESIRABLE CRITERIA

This section will only be used to assess prospective employees as part of Council’s recruitment process. For more details on how to assess using this criteria, please see Council’s recruitment policy. This section is not to be used to assess staff for pay progression purposes.

Essential:

  • Degree in Accounting or Business
  • Class C Drivers Licence
  • Minimum five (5) years experience in a supervision of staff role
  • An in depth specialist knowledge with a high level of demonstrated competency is required in budget administration, financial accounting and related regulations/legislations.
  • Understanding of legislation Local Government Act 1993, Regulations, Accounting Codes & Standards
  • Well developed communication skills, including oral and written
  • Well developed analytical skills
  • Understanding and commitment to equal employment opportunity and workplace health and safety principles.
  • A high level of proficiency in the use of the Microsoft suite of products in particular word and excel.

Desirable:

  • Demonstrated professional knowledge and understanding of financial management in Local Government context.
  • Experience in Quality Assurance processes.
  • Demonstrated understanding of finance related computer applications, preferably the Civica/Authority finance system and Powerbudget.

PART FOUR: JOB SPECIFIC SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE STANDARD REQUIRED

NB: This section of the position description will be used to assess staff in the job specific skills

once they have been in the position for the equivalent fulltime of 12 months. Staff are expected to

have achieved the performance standard required of all skills within each step before progression

to the next step.

Skills / Performance Standard Required / Standard met
Yes/No
(evidence required for each step regardless of yes/no)
Entry Level
Answer and process enquiries/requests for financial and administration matters. /
  • Answers/requests for action or information are handled assertively and diplomatically using correct protocol, and confidentiality is maintained where appropriate.
  • Accurate information is recorded or relayed to provide the service requested.
  • All processes involved are carried out within the agreed Council timeframes.

Undertake and observe employment conditions and Council Human Resources Policy and procedures /
  • Able to interpret regularly used employment conditions, policies and procedures
  • Adheres to Employment Conditions and Council Policies and Procedures.
  • Conducts all areas of work practices and procedures in a manner that conforms to Council principles and practise of Equal Employment Opportunity, Environmental Protection and Ethical Conduct.

Manages the Implementation of WH&S in the workplace /
  • Understands WH&S as it applies to their immediate work area and that of their staff.
  • Understands risk management issues as they apply to their immediate work area and their staff.
  • Monitors the practical application of basic WH&S in their daily work and the work of their staff.
  • Implements and monitors compliance with Council policies and procedures on a safe work place. (e.g. no smoking, or alcohol in the work place.)

Manage the Financial Services of Council /
  • All work carried out by the Finance Section is performed in an acceptable manner.
  • Manages all work processes within the unit to ensure compliance with Council policy and procedures, including EEO, Code of Conduct and WH&S.
  • Work is carried out within budget.
  • Significant budget deviations are identified and rectified within Council timeframes.
  • Staff are advised of budget and expenditure allocations.

Manage Quality Customer Service /
  • The needs of the customers are researched, understood and assessed.
  • Staff are mentored to enable them to meet customer service standards.
  • Customer feedback is sought and used to improve the provision of services.
  • Resources are used effectively and efficiently to provide quality services to customers.

Manage Staff /
  • Regular performance appraisals are carried out for staff reporting to the position.
  • Feedback to staff is immediate, appropriate and frank.
  • Annual performance appraisals reflect a frank and unbiased assessment of each individual’s performance based on objective criteria.
  • Staff are motivated to repeat exceptional performance and to improve poor performance.

Internal Control /
  • Staff are aware of Council’s internal control policies and procedures.
  • Work carried out by the section adheres to council’s internal control policies and procedures.
  • Breaches of internal control are investigated and reported to the appropriate manager.

Management Reporting /
  • Financial Management plans are developed that reflect organisational objectives.
  • Research is undertaken of trends that inform likely future budget requirements
  • Forecast budget requirements are made in accordance with available information.
  • Financial reports are provided in a clear and concise manner according to Council requirements.

Written Correspondence /
  • Correspondence is prepared according to Councils protocols.
  • Text in correspondence uses clear and concise language.
  • Spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct.
  • Correspondence accurately reflects Council policies on a given issue.

Report Writing /
  • Reports are prepared for Council on financial matters when required.
  • Reports are clear and concise.
  • Reports are prepared within agreed timeframes and to the required format.

Use of Technology /
  • Applies a range of organisational software packages (eg. Word, Excel, Outlook , Powerbudget & Authority) to facilitate work
  • Uses job specific software to facilitate work

Step 1
Prepares complex reports and written correspondence /
  • Prepares a range of written correspondence that meets the needs of complex situation
  • Prepares a range of written correspondence that meets the needs of the audience
  • Prepares material for use by the public that explains clearly and succinctly Council policies.

Development and achievement of Community Strategic Plan Objectives. /
  • Plans and strategies are put in place to ensure the achievement of the Community Strategic Plan Objectives.
  • Ongoing evaluation and monitoring is established taking into account Council’s agreed key financial and other performance indicators.
  • Material changes which may affect the ability to meet Community Strategic Plan Objectives are signalled well in advance.

Represent the Council /
  • Represents the Council at various finance meetings.
  • Liaise with various external groups on finance matters as required.

Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution /
  • Develops creative, innovative solutions to complex work issues. Shows independence and initiative in identifying problems and solving them.
  • Applies a wide range of problem solving skills to enable resolution of issues without contravening any statutes, regulation or Council policies.
  • Negotiates or mediates outcomes of disputes without contravening any statutes, regulation or Council policies.

Leadership /
  • Facilitates the development of team goals and priorities.
  • Facilitates team meetings.
  • Develops and actively maintains team harmony.
  • Resolves conflicts in the team.
  • Demonstrates strong knowledge of Council’s career planning objectives and programs and identifies and develops individual employee potential.

Develop and Apply Knowledge /
  • Keeps up to date with advances in the area of expertise.
  • Promulgates information to other staff regarding developments in the work area.
  • Demonstrates a wide and practical understanding of financial management and administration legislation.
  • Uses knowledge to keep other staff up to date with financial and administrative matters.
  • Demonstrates detailed knowledge of Council’s entire operations.

Step 2
Provide Strategic Advice to Council on Finance Matters /
  • Trends and developments in finances are monitored and their likely impact on Council is evaluated and reported on in a timely manner.
  • Identifies patterns in incidents and proposes appropriate Council-wide action to reduce systemic problems.
  • Reports are clear and concise and are prepared within agreed timeframes and to the required format.
  • Develops and implements reporting systems that meets the Council’s needs.

Provide advice on changes to financial services /
  • Options for change are identified and assessed in terms of their impact on organizational performance and a change plan is developed to minimise impacts.
  • Project management techniques are used to ensure organizational change is managed and adequately resourced.
  • Change is communicated to stakeholders.
  • Training requirements are identified to support change.
  • Implementation is measured against benchmarks and milestones.
  • Feedback channels are established and any relevant information acted upon.
  • Change is implemented in accordance with appropriate guidelines, procedures and policies.

Use of Technology /
  • Demonstrates advanced knowledge of software systems including excel, word and other management reporting systems such as Powerbudget & Authority
.
Response to internal and external customers meets Council’s service standard requirements. /
  • Documents and implements a range of on-going customer improvements that reflect contemporary practices
  • Documents and demonstrates tangible and quantifiable benefits to Council and the customer / community through improved customer service programs

Create a culture that encourages learning and innovation /
  • Documents and implements a range of improvements to major systems that provide realistic, timely and quantifiable benefits to Council

Manager Finance –