Financial Planning and Analysis Manager - Local Government Council

Job Description

Financial Planning and Analysis Manager - Local Government Council Position Description Job Details Job Title: Manager Financial Planning & AnalysisReports to: Executive Director and Chief Financial OfficerGroup: City ResourcesPosition Number: SP0046Grade: 10Date: March 2023Objective Doc Ref: A5456861Position Purpose/Job Summary The Manager Financial Planning & Analysis provides leadership to the Financial Business Partners to ensure the delivery of "best value" financial planning, advice, and analysis to Council and a holistic approach to service delivery to support the achievement of Council's financial management goals and objectives. This is achieved through the effective management of the following areas of responsibility: Business Partners - provide proactive advice to ELT and Council's business unit managers and facilitate continuous improvement in service delivery and efficiency by the business units. Strategic Financial Planning & Analysis - identify emerging issues and work with ELT and Council's business unit managers to develop strategies to address issues and improve operational efficiency. Integrated Planning & Reporting (IP&R) - liaise with IP&R team to efficiently and effectively meet legislative requirements and provide useful and timely information to the community. Present and report to Council and ELT. Financial Systems and Projects - ensure financial systems are providing relevant information to meet the needs of Council's business unit managers and project reporting requirements are being met to enable delivery of projects on time and on budget. The Manager Financial Planning & Analysis drives the delivery of proactive, timely and practical advice to enable cost effective and efficient delivery of Council services to meet the current needs of the community. The position assists in identification and planning in response to emerging issues that may include Council specific, local government, industry, market issues and practices to ensure Council remains financially sustainable, operationally efficient and meets the service needs of the community.Selection Criteria - Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience required Qualification: Tertiary qualification in Finance/Accounting or equivalent and Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (CA). Experience: Demonstrated experience in strategic leadership and providing proactive financial planning, analysis, advice and services for a multifaceted business in a timely and cost effective manner. Experience in change management with a track record in achieving continuous improvement and delivering operating efficiencies and improvements in service delivery. Experience in providing timely and concise written financial analysis and advice to clients and management. Demonstrated experience managing and developing a diverse workforce to achieve agreed business objectives and promoting constructive workplace behaviour. Extensive experience in providing timely and practical financial advice and reports. Knowledge and Skills: Superior customer service, attention to detail, analytical, collaborating, influencing and consulting skills. Superior data analysis and analytical skills. Extensive knowledge and advanced computer literacy of financial systems, including ERP systems, budgeting software, spreadsheet and database skills. Knowledge of best practice for external reporting and the development and monitoring of KPI's. Knowledge of the Local Government Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework to work proactively with the IP&R team to meet legislative requirements and provide useful and timely information to the community. Ability to contribute to the strategic direction of the Division and Council as part of the Management Team. Well-developed capacity to analyse problems, identify appropriate solutions, forecast the financial impact and implement recommendations. Sound knowledge of current accounting standards, relevant legislation, commercial, financial and budgetary practices. High-level communication (verbal and written) and negotiation skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of Council and deliver timely and concise financial advice and reports. Knowledge and ability to apply best practice in financial consulting. Well-developed time management skills and ability to manage competing priorities whilst supporting the team in achievement of key deliverables. Key Accountabilities- Position Specific Manage the Financial Management area. Oversee activities of Financial Business Partners to ensure Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team facilitates continuous improvement in service delivery and efficiency improvement by business units. Mentor FP&A team to identify and implement system and process improvements. Strong leadership through proactive identification, planning and management of issues. Monitor and report business outcomes on a regular basis. Ensure statutory and legislative compliance for all financial management issues. Assign priorities and resources in collaboration with immediate and broader Finance team. Foster collaborative working arrangements with IP&R and other business units. Ensure appropriate communication and training. Provide customer centric value added services. Understanding customer needs, business requirements and identify emerging issues. Develop, enhance and support customer friendly systems and financial management reports. Partner with customers to prepare budgets and monitor performance. This includes short-term (Annual Operational Plans), mid-term (4 year Delivery Program) and long-term plans (10 year Long Term Financial Plan). Deliver regular financial management reports on a timely, consistent and accurate basis. Provide expert advice and strategies to address and improve operational efficiency. Ensure appropriate communication and training. Financial Planning & Analysis Management Provide financial reports on a monthly basis with performance analysis and KPI reporting. Ensure statutory and legislative compliance for all financial management issues across Council. Provide expert advice for current and emerging financial management issues. Budget preparation, consolidation and reporting. Attend Council and Committee meetings as required. Review & authorise creditor and payroll payments. Ensure appropriate communication and training. People management. Develop the financial management team to proactively achieve business objectives and provide timely and relevant advice to business units and Council. Always foster constructive behaviours. Sound performance review management. Succession planning. Create a collaborative work environment where ownership and responsibility is sought by team members. Continuous improvement. Develop and maintain efficient and effective financial management policy, procedures and processes. Maintain and fully utilise financial management systems and processes. Identify and implement new and ongoing projects and systems. Key Accountabilities - Core Use Corporate IT Applications/Systems, ensuring compliance with Council standards and policies, to facilitate achievement of required outcomes. Comply with the requirements of Council's Work Health Safety Management System (WHSMS) and fulfil relevant WHS responsibilities as per WHS-01.1.1 Responsibilities, Authority and Accountability Guideline whilst employed by or acting on behalf of the Council. Comply with the reasonable requests and directions of management whilst employed by or acting on behalf of the Council. This includes undertaking other tasks or duties that may be allocated from time to time. Comply with Council's Code of Conduct, policy and procedures whilst employed by or acting on behalf of Council. All employees are required to treat colleagues and customers with respect and professionalism without regard to non-relevant criteria or distinctions, as well as report any suspected case of discrimination or harassment that they witness. This requirement is in accordance with Fairfield City Council's Values and commitment to equal employment opportunity and a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Reporting Relationships Direct: Finance Business Partner (3)No. of Indirect: NilKey Relationships 1 Internal Communicating withNature of CommunicationExecutive Leadership Team & the Chief Financial OfficerChief Financial OfficerMembers of the FP&A TeamManagers of other Business UnitsTo discuss, interpret and consult on Financial Planning & Analysis issues, annual statutory financial accounts, industry emerging issues and policy, procedure and process changes that would impact on the whole of FCC.To review progress against short, medium-term and long-term plans and day-to-day matters as they arise.To participate in strategic planning and review for the Division. To provide leadership and management to the Branch.To provide value adding advice and assistance with implementing best practice financial management principles.Key Relationships - External Communicating withNature of CommunicationProfessional OrganisationsFinancial Institutions and External Service SuppliersMembers of the publicTo stay current with technical professional issues - to be familiar with emerging issues and their impacts on Council.To analyse or resolve issues impacting on the delivery of financial planning & analysis services.To resolve any issues that has been escalated to the attention of the Manager Financial Planning & Analysis.Position Dimensions As per Delegation of Authority.Staffing budget: approx. $500,000 p.a.Delegations: Financial expenditure delegation of $50,000.Petty cash financial delegation - $100.Decision making Authority & Accountability The City Manager authorises you to take the actions required to make your workplace safe and to fulfil your WHS responsibilities in WHS-01.1.1. The Manager Financial Management has the authority and responsibility to ensure the financial management practices within Council comply within existing legislative, professional, industry and Council's policy and procedures. Accountable to ensure that an unqualified external audit opinion is expressed in relation to Council's annual financial statements. The position is required to develop or modify organisational policies and procedures. It is also required to identify organisational issues, make logical decisions and/or recommendations to ensure ongoing efficiency and effectiveness of financial management practices. Issues that fall outside the "norms" may have significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative and business processes related to financial management. The potential to gain or lose internal and external goodwill and revenues exists. In managing staff the Manager FP&A ensures customer service standards are maintained at a high level, that business requirements are being delivered within expectations, determines objectives and allocates resources, leads the team and monitors team performance, ensures compliance with applicable local government, state and federal laws and regulations, is alert to emerging financial management issues, and promotes a positive constructive culture. The Manager FP&A acts as a resource to other staff in resolving more complex problems. Problem Solving A key challenge for this position will be to manage the change process to achieve the integration of financial management services across the organisation and to foster in Financial Management's staff a commitment to best practice and the continuous improvement of service delivery to internal and external customers. A further challenge will be to develop clear accounting policy and guidelines which conform to industry standards yet remain flexible enough to encourage innovation and permit responsiveness to emerging trends. Whilst operating in a changing environment the Manager FP&A is responsible for analysing the situation and putting in place appropriate action. The Manager FP&A will need to monitor the effectiveness of the Branch structure and ensure that staff has appropriate training and career development opportunities to facilitate succession planning and the retention of capable staff.Competencies Performance in this role is also assessed on 'how' staff achieve their goals, based on the same behavioural expectations for all staff. An individual Work Plan, based on your position description will be established in partnership with your supervisor. Your supervisor will meet with you on a regular basis to ensure that you are performing as expected or assign some training to improve performance if needed.#J-18808-Ljbffr