Professional Job DescriptionSenior Town Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)
Reference: TC00121
Employer: Aspire Accounting & Tax Aid Ltd
Location: North West England (Hybrid – Client Sites & Remote)
Salary: £35,000 – £46,000 (Dependent upon qualifications and experience)
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
About Aspire
Aspire Accounting & Tax Aid Ltd provides specialist governance, finance and compliance services throughout England.
Our mission is to help councils achieve the highest standards of governance, transparency, financial stewardship and statutory compliance through outsourced professional support.
Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Town Clerk who will become part of our Local Government Services Division, providing dedicated support to multiple Town and Parish Councils across the North West.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a modern professional services organisation whilst supporting local democracy and public service delivery.
The Role
Reporting to the Director, the successful candidate will act as the Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) for assigned Town and Parish Councils.
The role combines strategic leadership, governance expertise, financial management and operational administration to ensure councils operate effectively, transparently and in full compliance with all statutory obligations.
The successful applicant will become the principal adviser to elected Members and will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of governance, accountability and financial stewardship.
Key ResponsibilitiesGovernance
Act as Proper Officer under the Local Government Act.
Provide professional advice to Councillors on:
- Local Government legislation
- Standing Orders
- Financial Regulations
- Code of Conduct
- Governance
- Risk Management
- Procurement
- Decision making
Ensure statutory duties are discharged efficiently and lawfully.
Maintain governance documentation including:
- Standing Orders
- Financial Regulations
- Asset Registers
- Risk Registers
- Policies
- Annual Reports
Administer Council meetings including:
- Agendas
- Reports
- Minutes
- Committee administration
- Public consultation
- Decision tracking
Financial Management (Responsible Financial Officer)
Act as Responsible Financial Officer in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
Responsibilities include:
- Budget preparation
- Medium-term financial planning
- Cash flow forecasting
- Banking
- Investments
- Financial reporting
- VAT administration
- Internal controls
- Asset accounting
- Reserves management
- Monthly management accounts
- Annual Accounts
- AGAR preparation
- External Audit liaison
- Internal Audit coordination
Ensure robust stewardship of public funds at all times.
Strategic Leadership
Support elected Members in developing the Council's strategic vision.
Lead projects involving:
- Community initiatives
- Capital investment
- Grant funding
- Asset management
- Service improvements
- Climate initiatives
- Economic development
Develop business plans and performance monitoring systems.
Drive continuous improvement across council operations.
Operational Management
Manage day-to-day council administration.
Oversee:
- Staff management
- Contracts
- Procurement
- Health & Safety
- Facilities
- Cemeteries
- Parks
- Community buildings
- Allotments
- Events
- Public Realm services (where applicable)
Ensure compliance with all legislative requirements.
Democratic Services
Provide impartial professional advice to elected Members.
Support:
- Full Council
- Committees
- Working Groups
- Annual Meetings
- Extraordinary Meetings
Produce:
- Reports
- Minutes
- Legal notices
- Consultation responses
- Policy documents
Stakeholder Engagement
Develop effective relationships with:
- Councillors
- Residents
- Principal Authorities
- Government Agencies
- Contractors
- Community Organisations
- External Auditors
- Internal Auditors
- Professional Advisers
Represent the Council professionally at external meetings.
Compliance
Ensure compliance with:
- Local Government Act
- Accounts & Audit Regulations
- Freedom of Information Act
- Data Protection Legislation
- GDPR
- Transparency Code
- Employment Law
- Procurement Regulations
- Health & Safety
- Equality Act
Person SpecificationEssential
- Previous experience as a Town Clerk or Parish Clerk.
- Strong understanding of local government legislation.
- Experience acting as Responsible Financial Officer.
- Budget management experience.
- Excellent report-writing skills.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to provide impartial professional advice.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Experience working with elected Members.
- Ability to manage confidential information.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- CILCA Qualified.
- SLCC Membership.
- FiLCA.
- Higher Certificate in Local Council Administration.
- Experience with Rialtas Omega or Scribe accounting software.
- Knowledge of procurement legislation.
- Experience securing grant funding.
- Project management experience.
Pay: £35,000.00-£46,945.97 per year
Work Location: In person
