Introduction
It may be a cliché but it is true - 'money makes the world go
round'. Business success depends on the financial standing of the
company and non-commercial organizations like local government are
no different. Councils have central accounting departments,
sometimes known as treasuries, in which qualified accountants and
their assistants work. They may also work in other
departments, like social services or education, which control their
own budgets. The group manager, accounting co-ordinates
accountancy services across the whole council to ensure that
standards are adhered to and that the best use is made of public
money. There are accountancy departments in every local
authority.
Work Environment
This is mostly office based with visits to other departments but
some home working is often necessary. A large amount of time is
spent in front of the VDU.
Daily Activities
The main tasks and responsibilities are preparing the council's
consolidated annual accounts, maintaining the accountancy
structures and reconciling the bank accounts. Managers
regularly advise finance staff throughout the council on all
financial matters - accountants, assistants, accounting
technicians, finance officers and clerks- and keep an eye on the
council's bank account. This involves monitoring the accounts for
fraud or error and running the council's income systems. Group
managers liaise daily with their own team and other financial
departments with the overall objective of improving targets and
running the service in a more economic way. Occasionally, they will
meet with members of the public and elected members. The
manager also works on special projects. They may be issues like a
review of the accountancy code structure or internal recharges to
other directorates. There are deadlines to be met that are
determined by statutory mandate, the ending of the tax year, for
example.
Skills & Interests
These should be both managerial and accountancy qualities and
include:
- practical ability;
- an ability to solve detailed problems;
- project management skills;
- a head for figures;
- an ability to get on with people from different
backgrounds;
- an aptitude for organisation and planning.
Entry Requirements
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or relevant
professional financial qualification, for example from the
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
suggest the following: A number of entry routes are available which
take into account different qualifications and recognize previous
achievements.
Entry routes
• ACCA Professional Examination Route (PER)
Over 18 years old with either:
- 2 A Levels and 3 GCSEs (5 separate subjects including maths and
English);
- Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) - up to Level B
completed;
- AAT (UK) up to intermediate level completed;
- Advanced GNVQ (any subject);
- BTEC National Certificate;
- NVQ Level3/4 (any subject);
- degree from a recognised institution in any subject;
- ACCA Mature Student Entry Route (MSER).
The only requirement is that applicants must be over 21 years
old and complete the first two papers of ACCA's syllabus within two
years (4 examination sittings) before undertaking any additional
papers. Exemptions Previous qualifications may entitle students to
exemptions from ACCA examinations. Exemptions are awarded on the
basis of qualifications that contain relevant content to ACCA
papers at parts 1 and 2.
No exemptions are awarded at part 3. Examples of exemptions:
- degree in accounting/accounting and finance;
- business related degrees;
- degree in Law;
- degree in IT.
Practical training - As well as completing ACCA's 14
examinations, students are also required to undertake three years
relevant supervised experience before they are eligible for
membership. This experience can be gained in any of a number of
sectors (industry, commerce, public sector or practice) and can be
undertaken before, during or after the completion of ACCA's
examinations. Most people, where possible, combine both their work
experience requirement and examinations together.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There is a wide range of opportunities and prospects are good,
even though it is a very competitive area with no clearly defined
promotion path. It is sometimes necessary to move departments or
councils or go to public agencies, like the Financial Services
Authority, or to the private sector to progress - and this would
normally entail more senior managerial responsibilities. The next
step up for the group manager is Head of Financial Management
(Assistant Director) and the top job in the council is Director of
Finance.
Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants www.cimaglobal.com
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
Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on careers
in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths): https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-stem/
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.