Introduction
There is a corporate services department in all local authority.
As the name suggests, it incorporates the council's 'core'
functions. All the services provided to a local community rely on
efficient administration, human resource management, information
technology support, legal representation and advice, marketing and
promotion and thorough policy development and research.
But at the heart of this, is sound financial acumen. No
business, commercial or otherwise can survive if the financial
basis is unstable. Finance officers are part of a team that
includes accountants, accounting technicians, accounting assistants
or, as they are sometimes called, finance clerks. Finance officers
work to professionally qualified accountants.
Work Environment
Most of the time is spent at a desk with a computer. Occasionally
officers will need to visit other departments to discuss the way
accounts are kept or spend time on audit work.
Daily Activities
Finance officers often act as line managers to accounting
assistants and clerks and as such will have oversight of the basic
accountancy functions:
- financial records
- production and analysis of figures for the accountants or
departmental heads
- audit accounts
- invoices
- expenses claims
- computerised accounting systems
When accountancy assistants find mistakes or instances of
mal-practice in invoices and expenses claims they refer them to the
Finance officer for action. In addition they will help with larger
issues that might have to do with the whole council or a large
department such as social services. For example they may play a key
role in dealing with the financial implications of purchase and
monitoring of services for those in the community who have special
care needs - wheelchairs for the disabled, the costs of running a
residential home for the elderly and so on. They would be required
to advice on staff budgets and monitoring spending, payments to
creditors and statistical returns. Sometimes they work in other
directorates, like the fire service, which may not have a
professional accountant on its pay roll, where they could have
special responsibility for ensuring that salaries and suppliers are
paid on time.
Skills & Interests
Finance officers need to be:
- numerate, accurate and have good computer skills
- able to meet key deadlines
- able to communicate with colleagues at all levels
- enthusiastic
- experienced in financial and administrative management
- good team workers and leaders.
Entry Requirements
Some experience working in accountancy and a good knowledge of
computerised accounting systems and financial software
packages.
Most councils will assume that you have gained a minimum of four
GCSE/S grades at C/3 or above, including English and maths or
equivalent in the relevant discipline.
There is on the job training and finance officers may qualify as
members of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and
Accountancy (CIPFA) or The Association of Accounting Technicians
(AAT).
Future Prospects & Opportunities
The promotion path is clear and encouraging, but depends upon
further qualification and experience. There are many opportunities
outside of local authorities in the private sector and in public
agencies like the Financial Services Authority. Within the local
sector, finance officers can progress to senior financial
management positions and ultimately, with membership of a
professional body and further training to professional accountant
status.
Further Information & Services
Accountancy Age journal www.accountancyage.com/
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales www.icaew.co.uk
Association of Accounting Technicians www.aat.co.uk
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants www.accaglobal.com
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy www.cipfa.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.