Senior Accountant

Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Senior Accountant for our client, a local government organisation based in Newbury.

The successful post holder will provide accountancy support to services, liaising with and advising budget managers on compliance with accountancy regulations, local guidelines and financial processes, ensuring a robust financial control framework is maintained across the organisation.

They will ensure management receives timely, accurate and relevant financial advice, guidance and information to support statutory compliance, sound financial management and strategic decision-making.

This role is a temporary contract with an initial contract length 6 weeks with the possibility to extend. Hybrid working, ideally 2 days per week in the office.

Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Implement financial policies and procedures set by the Section 151 Officer and Deputy, ensuring compliance across assigned service areas.
• Design and develop financial systems and processes to meet the operational requirements of individual service areas and budget managers.
• Support the Finance Manager in maintaining high standards of financial management, ensuring services remain compliant with changing legislation and organisational requirements.
• Provide detailed financial and management accounting advice to service managers on both a planned and ad hoc basis.
• Advise on budget setting, budget monitoring, financial planning and year-end accounting requirements.
• Monitor compliance with financial regulations and standing orders, providing financial advice during the development of new projects and initiatives.
• Prepare and coordinate annual revenue estimates, ensuring agreed budget strategies are fully implemented.
• Produce final accounts for designated service areas, ensuring accurate and comprehensive supporting documentation is prepared.
• Ensure key financial control functions, including reconciliations and other control processes, are completed accurately and within required timescales.
• Develop, analyse and interpret management information to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Produce financial reports using a range of accounting techniques, spreadsheets and financial systems.
• Complete statutory financial returns accurately and within required deadlines.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, service efficiency and value for money.
• Lead, support and develop members of the finance team, promoting continuous improvement and high performance.
• Contribute to effective financial, performance, risk, health and safety and people management within the team.
• Support recruitment, induction, performance management and staff development activities.
• Build effective working relationships with managers and stakeholders across the organisation.

Personal Requirements:

• Part-qualified accountant or fully qualified AAT.
• At least three years' experience working within an accounting environment.
• Experience managing accounting staff within a finance environment.
• Experience training and developing staff within a finance environment.
• Experience working with and advising senior managers.
• Knowledge of demand-led services and financial modelling.
• Knowledge of local government finance.
• Knowledge of capital and fixed asset accounting.
• Knowledge of grant accounting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Ability to manage staff supporting technical and regulatory finance functions.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to develop new financial systems, processes and deliver training to finance and non-finance users.
• Experience building effective working relationships with managers at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a complex workload and meet strict deadlines.

Working Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Pay: £51.75 per hour.

Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.