Department: Finance and Governance

Division: Treasury and Pensions

About Waltham Forest Council

Waltham Forest is a vibrant, open borough rich in culture and diversity, our residents and businesses recognise Waltham Forest as the best place to live and work in London.

We are a pioneering borough supported by a dynamic workforce. Recent accolades include being London’s first Borough of Culture in 2019, Council of the Year 2019 and Public Finance’s Finance Team of the Year 2020. But we don’t stop there, we have an extensive regeneration programme across the borough; our capital programme is over £500m. We are renewing the Town Hall campus neighbourhood, investing in affordable homes, and developing our ambitious 15-minute city plans. All this ambition needs to be underpinned by a strong, agile finance team and Waltham Forest will be a great place to develop your skills and improve the lives of so many.

The London Borough of Waltham Forest administers the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) on behalf of 25,000 plus members and over 100 employing bodies including schools. The pension benefits administration for the pension fund is carried out by the Pension Shared Services hosted by London Borough of Wandsworth and including Camden, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth and Waltham Forest. It has assets of £900m plus, managed by 7 external fund managers and the London CIV (the investment pool for London).

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Accountant Pensions to join our busy treasury and pensions team located at Waltham Forest Town Hall Campus. This post would suit someone that can develop best practice and with the innovation to develop new practices and procedures.

The successful applicant will need to:

To develop and operationally manage the day-to-day Pensions accounting function. To ensure quality and value for money at all times. To ensure the service complies with relevant legislation, regulations and policies.

Review business cases for new initiatives to ensure decisions are made with consideration of Pension implications.

To research, analysis, interpret and evaluate financial and other business-related information to support service reviews, ensuring senior managers are provided with robust information to make informed decisions.

Ensure that daily/monthly and yearly reconciliation of the pensions accounting functions are completed to comply with statutory closure of the pension fund accounts.

To prepare the Pension year-end accounting entries for inclusion in the statutory statement of accounts. Timely closure of the Pension accounts in line with the Council’s close down timetable.

Assist in the preparation of Pension policies, annual Pension management strategies, quarterly Pension performance reports.

To provide financial information and respond to requests for information from senior officers within the Council and internal and external auditors where required.

About you

Part Qualified Accountant (CCAB recognised) or fully qualified AAT,

Significant experience of working in a Public Sector finance environment.

Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Experience of working with the LGPS or Pension environment would be preferable.

Along with other experience as detailed in the Job description.

What we offer

· 28 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays

· Work-life balance options may include flexitime, job share, home working, part-time

· Generous Local Government Pension Scheme

· Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

· Excellent training and development opportunities

· Employee well- being training programmes

How to apply

Read through role profile and complete the online application form. If you would like any further information or an informal discussion about the role before applying, please contact:

Debbie Drew

Head of Treasury and Pensions

debbie.drew01@walthamforest.gov.uk