Regional Accountant - Job Description

Branch Accountant - ManchesterJob Description

Reporting to:

Branch Manager / Regional Financial ControllerArea of Responsibility

The main area of responsibility of this position is to ensure that all aspects of the Accounts Office in Manchester run smoothly, that all accounting deadlines are met, that suppliers are paid correctly and on time, and that customers are invoiced correctly and encouraged to comply with our own terms and conditions. The position is also responsible for ensuring that all management information is prepared and collated on a timely basis.

Duties

Specific duties include;

Preparation of monthly management accounts for Total Produce Limited Manchester, ensuring accuracy and adherence to specified deadlines.

Collation of annual budget for the branches in cooperation with local management.

Preparing Weekly Estimate for the branches. Control of the business soft ware BDSL, Microsoft, Excel, Payroll ADP Ensuring all sales and purchases are recorded accurately and daily stock reports are produced; checked and corrected.

Preparation of year end accounts for the branch ensuring accuracy and adherence to specified deadlines.

Ensuring all admin staff are attending to their duties in a professional manner, and that accounting deadlines (particularly with regard to Month End) and objectives are being met.

Monitoring of debtors ledger, creditors ledger and bank accounts, ensuring these are controlled in an appropriate manner to protect the companys assets.

Ensuring that cash is handled appropriately.

Exploration of opportunities for expansion of the business in the markets that the branches operate.

Providing local management with management information to enable them to run the branch appropriately

Ensuring that the branch, adhere to procedures laid down by Internal Audit and that necessary corrective action is taken where the need is highlighted by the Internal Audit Department.

Financial ManagementFinancial management covers the following areas:

a. Bookkeeping and recording

b. Reporting processes

c.Analysis of results

d.Treasury management

e.Credit control

f.Audit processes

Manage the admin staff and resources of the branch such that high standards of service are maintained, adequate control procedures exist at all times and reporting of accounting information is timely and accurate.

Ensure that the branch and business have suitable systems, processes and procedures to accurately capture all financial transactions and exert strong financial control over all business activities.

The BA is responsible for ensuring the branches financial and statistical reporting processes are accurate, timely and pertinent.

The branches financial and statistical performance must not only be reported accurately and promptly but in addition such performance must be analyzed and reviewed with key features extracted and reported to FD for attention.

Treasury management is paramount in ensuring the Group achieves all banking targets and that current and projected bank balances are in line with Group targets and needs. The treasury function is provided for all Regional activities including foreign currency management.

Credit control is inextricably bound with cash management. The BA must constantly review levels of credit given and taken and ensure Group guidelines are achieved.

Audit processes provide early warning of potential problems or confirm adherence to Group financial policies and procedures. Management of internal and external audits is a key responsibility of the BA.

Commercial ManagementCommercial control will be exercised primarily through interpretation and measurement of results with a view to identifying areas for management attention, this will involve:

a.Forecasts

b.Budgets

c.Interpretation of results

The BA will be expected to organize and control the branches forecasting and budgeting processes. The emphasis in conjunction with Regional Financial Controller and FD will be on constructing realistic and achievable forecasts and budgets backed by such logic and action plans as appropriate to give those targets credibility.

Forecasts and budgets will have been thoroughly reviewed and agreed by FD together with their supporting action plans. Thereafter it will be the responsibility of the BA to ensure that actual results are measured against the appropriate target. The BA will be expected to analyze and interpret all financial and statistical reports with a view to key issues identified by such analysis and interpretation.

Business ReviewsBusiness Reviews is a generic term to cover:

a.Regional/Branch/Business operational reviews

b.Analytical reviews

c.Financial modelling

The BA will be expected to provide FD with business analysis and interpretation to assist in the review of business performance and prospects. Such research will be available to FD such that they can agree key areas within a business that demand management attention and action.

The BA will be a key player in the evaluation of plans and developments. The BA will assist with the integration of acquisitions when necessary.Person Specification

Ability to implement, control processes and procedures and exert strong financial control over businesses activities.

Committed to the delivery of quality reporting and management information

Capable of applying attention to detail and accuracy

Ability to demonstrate broad commercial acumen and good analytical skills

Good communication skills and ability to build strong business relationships

Excellent organisational skills / Flexibility essentialAbility to use own initiative and to adapt to changes in the industry

Good team working and the skill of fostering this in others

People management skills including the ability to motivate, monitor performance and develop staff competence through delegation and training Qualifications:

Qualified, Part Qualified and/or at least 5 years full time experience as Accounts manager.Experience:

A minimum of 5 years management experience

Successful track record within a fast moving wholesale or retail environment ideally with fresh produce experience, however not essential. People management experience

Personality:

Personable, self motivated, hardworking, confident, outgoing and professional with a sense of humour.

Term & Conditions:

Location:Manchester Fruit & Veg Wholesale MarketsUnites D30 D33 New Smithfield Market, Whitworth Street East, Manchester, M11 2WJ

Remuneration:TBC dependent on experienceCar Allowance:Negotiable

Review:Annually any changes are notified on 1 April

Hours:48 hours per week some flexibility as requiredDays:5 days with an occasional Saturday as and when requiredPension:Contributory invited to join at first annual entry date

Holidays:23 working days

Probation Period:3 month

Notice:1 month