We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

We are a dynamic Financial Management Team responsible for providing a diverse range of functions to drive the Council to fulfil its transformational journey We deliver the full range of financial management and accounting services to facilitate effective delivery of services to support the people of Coventry and deliver projects which are redefining the infrastructure of the city.

Working flexibly with internal officers and external partners we aim to ensure finance is at the heart of everything that the Council does.

The organisation has a high expectation of our service, and we will continue to support and develop our staff to have the skills to deliver a quality service.

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

Following recent promotions and a subsequent restructure we are pleased to offer this exciting opportunity to join Coventry City Council's Financial Management. We are looking Accountants to work in both our Corporate Finance & Business Partnering Teams.

The main duties and responsibilities of these roles are: 

Corporate Finance – Capital Accountant

• Focus on Capital Accounting and Fixed Assets, preparing key financial information for statutory returns and ensure compliance with relevant financial reporting standards. 
• Produce management accounts, in particular relating to fixed assets and liaising with external auditors as part of our Statutory Accounts Process. 
• Maintain the Council’s fixed asset register and provide accurate and timely information to the Lead Accountant and Finance Manager.  
• Assist with the production of year end accounts in relation to capital and fixed assets including analytical review of key fixed asset items such as categorisation and depreciation.   
• Keep up to date with legislative changes relating to local government finance. 

Corporate Finance – Treasury Management Accountant

• Manage the Council’s day-to-day and longer-term cashflow, investments and borrowings, and the associated risks, in accordance with Council policy, regulatory requirements and best practice, to balance financial return with good stewardship.
• Develop, maintain, and implement the Council’s treasury management strategy, liaising as required with external auditors, professional advisors, and central government departments.
• Day to day liaison with brokers to negotiate deals on investment and borrowings within pre-determined parameters.
• Assist in the production of the Council's financial accounts and quarterly budget monitoring reports relating to investments and borrowings.
• Be responsible for the banking team and ensuring that monthly reconciliations are completed in a timely manner.
• Liaise with the Council’s bankers and maintaining online banking access for staff
• Submission of monthly VAT returns to HMRC

Business Partner Accountants

• As a link between the finance team and service leads these two roles are an exciting opportunity to provide strategic financial support and advice, enabling effective financial planning and management, through pro-active partnering arrangements and the development of effective financial information, within several service areas that will include Adults Social Care, Housing and Public Health and City Services. 
• Work flexibly to support the delivery of all activity driven by the Annual Financial Cycle including budget monitoring, final accounts and budget setting whilst ensuring outputs meet professional standards.  
• Promote value for money and efficiency throughout all areas of the Council's operations looking for opportunities for innovation both in the operation of the finance function and in the activities of relevant service areas.  
• Interpreting data and financial information and presenting findings to managers and management teams concisely to enable effective decision making.

You will be a fully qualified Chartered Accountants or actively studying towards (CCAB or CIMA)

You will have the skill and confidence to influence decision making and identify improved ways of working, driving change against a backdrop of shifting priorities. 

We are looking for someone with a good level of numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills, to help drive though positive changes.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a conscientious individual with excellent communication skills.  
• Able to prepare / interpret complex financial information and present this to key stakeholders including budget holders, senior managers, management teams and project teams as appropriate.   
• Work effectively under pressure including meeting unpredictable deadlines and dealing with conflicting demands.  
• Work with various stakeholders including external partners to build, maintain and promote effective working relationships.   
• Develop financial planning solutions based on an understanding of service policy issues and developments.   
• Be proactive and have a willingness to develop. 
• Corporate roles will require an aptitude for technical accounting with an attention to detail and accuracy. 

If you have just become an accountant, this post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Standard DBS check.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Interview date(s): week beginning 15th April 2024

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies