Cessnock City Council Hiring for Finance Business Partner Job at Cessnock Full Time

About the opportunity

We are currently seeking applications from highly motivated, energetic and outcome focused individuals for the position of Finance Business Partner.

This position will partner with key stakeholders to provide financial support and advice in the delivery of key objectives of Council’s Strategic Plan relating to Council’s financial activities.

Other key responsibilities will include:

• Build strong partnering relationships with key stakeholders in Business Units for which you have responsibility and become a trusted advisor. This will include: effectively communicating and collaborating with budget owners to develop and enhance finance acumen across the organisation; promoting ownership of and accountability for Business Unit Budgets; assisting with business cases for major financial decisions and ensuring governance over the key assumptions applied; and assisting with service reviews (internal and community based);
• Management accounting including; monthly and quarterly reporting incorporating variance analysis and reviews with key stakeholders; budgeting and forecasting for operational and capital activities; and Assisting with the preparation of the Long Term Financial Strategy and Long Term Financial Plan and related models and schedules;
• Financial accounting including; general ledger reconciliations and finance system maintenance as well as providing informal training to staff on the general ledger and finance system; assisting with the preparation of Annual Financial Statements, notes, schedules, returns and reports; and liaison with internal and external auditors in accordance with the annual audit plans and providing key documents to auditors as required;
• Project and asset accounting including; project code creation, monitoring expenditures, budget allocation, reporting and closures; enhancing and maintaining Council’s cost allocation framework for service groups as well as utilising Activity Based Costing and other relevant methodologies and frameworks; and maintaining and reconciling the key source of funding schedule; and Managing the finance register of accounting for developer contributions; ensuring this reconciles to Contribution Plans and capital and operating works programs;
• Ensure compliance with Australian Accounting Standards and alignment with the requirements of the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting as well as internal policies and procedures, assisting with policy reviews; and
• Provide support to other roles within Finance as required to rebalance workloads and relieve the Management Accountant in times of leave.

About you

To be successful in this position, you must have:

• Degree qualifications in accounting, financial management or business management;
• Demonstrated solid experience (minimum of 5 years) in a similar position with demonstrated experience in the preparation of financial reports and audit liaison in a large multi-disciplined organisation;
• Demonstrated experience in providing sound advice, guidance and support to a wide range of key stakeholders across the organisation and providing support and mentoring to junior staff;
• Demonstrated high level of interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with the proven ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external and build effective working relationships with people at all levels of the organisation;
• Proven ability to develop, promote and implement reforms, systems and policies within a continuous improvement environment;
• Highly Desirable: Membership of CPA Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia or the Institute of Public Accountants; and
• Highly Desirable: Previous Local Government experience.

Remuneration:

$87,212 – $100,294 per annum plus 11% superannuation

Benefits:

• Full-time 35 hours per week
• 19 day month/RDO scheme
• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid)
• Great work/life balance
• Excellent Study Assistance Program
• Generous corporate fitness program
• Picturesque Hunter Valley location!

Applications Close: Thursday 19 May 2022 at 11.30pm

Who to Contact:

Kelly McGowan, Finance Operations and Administration Coordinator on 4993 4224

How to Apply:

Before applying, please read the position description below.

Position Description

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Please complete the application form below and provide detailed responses to the questions which relate to the essential and desirable criteria within the role description, then upload a copy of your resume and cover letter. Your candidate suitability is determined by your responses to the selection criteria, for more information on how to address the selection criteria please visit our How to apply page.

Pre-Employment Screening:

Please note, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates will be required to undertake a medical assessment (including drug and alcohol testing). Council may also complete a range of other pre-employment checks, such as references, employment history checks, working with children checks or a criminal record check.

Guided by staff values of integrity, respect, teamwork, accountability and excellence, Cessnock City Council is indeed an attractive, thriving Council and employer of choice.