Chief Accountant’, Permanent

Chief Accountant’, Permanent

Gloucester Full-Time 56781 - 59936 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the annual closedown process and produce accounting statements for Gloucestershire County Council.
  • Company: Join a supportive finance team at Gloucestershire County Council, focused on positive change and modernisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to inclusivity.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving financial excellence and making a real impact in local government.
  • Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with senior-level experience in finance, preferably in Local Government.
  • Other info: Interviews scheduled for the week of January 13, 2025; apply before January 2, 2025.

The predicted salary is between 56781 - 59936 £ per year.

Chief Accountant’ – Permanent This is a Gloucestershire County Council job. Job Title: Chief Accountant’ Job Location: Shire Hall, Block 4, 2nd Floor Salary: £56,781 – £59,936 per annum Hours per Week: 37.00 Contract Type: Permanent Closing Date: 02/01/2025 Job Requisition Number: 10516 This post is not open to job share An opportunity has arisen for a Chief Accountant to join a strong and experienced finance team at Gloucestershire County Council. We are seeking an individual with strong technical skills and experience of Local Government statutory financial statements. This is an exciting time to be joining the organisation as we embrace various positive change initiatives, including the upgrade of our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, a focus on data and insight, and a continuous-improvement ethos of modernisation. The successful applicant will have the technical knowledge to lead our annual closedown process and the production of our accounting statements, liaising with external auditors and continuing the organisation’s strong track record for delivering statements within deadlines and positive audit reports. As well as technical expertise, applicants should have a demonstrable track record of communicating complex financial matters to non-financial stakeholders, most notably elected members of the Audit & Governance Committee. Reporting directly to the Head of Financial Management, the successful candidate will be a key member of the Financial Management Team, and be responsible for developing and leading professional development sessions with the Financial Management service. To ensure that our team has up to date knowledge of reporting standards, the post-holder will attend technical briefings by CIPFA and other external bodies and be the lead officer for advising the organisation on the impacts of any and all changes. You should be a strong communicator, and someone who is committed to creating a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence. A qualified accountant (e.g. CIPFA, ACCA etc), with significant knowledge, skills and experience of working at a senior level in a finance team within a large and complex organisation, ideally within Local Government. Financial Management is a professional and supportive service. There is an opportunity to put your own mark on finance process improvement projects, to use your own initiative and be involved in key decisions. We are also keen for team members to achieve Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, career progression and satisfaction via further training opportunities. Interviews – w/c 13th January 2025 Additional Information To access the Job Profile for this role, please follow the link below:- Chief Accountant Job Profile Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire’s diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential. It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a ‘customer facing role’ must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English. Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of our roles, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice, with a mix of both remote and office working.

Chief Accountant’, Permanent employer: Gloucestershire County Council

Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters professional growth and development. As a Chief Accountant, you will be part of a dynamic finance team dedicated to continuous improvement and service excellence, with opportunities for further training and career progression. Located at Shire Hall, the council embraces modernisation initiatives, including a new ERP system, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a flexible hybrid working arrangement.
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Contact Detail:

Gloucestershire County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Accountant’, Permanent

Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with the specific financial regulations and reporting standards relevant to Local Government. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare to discuss your experience with ERP systems, especially any upgrades or implementations you've been involved in. Highlighting your adaptability to new technologies will show that you're ready for the positive change initiatives at Gloucestershire County Council.

Tip Number 3

Think of examples where you've successfully communicated complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Being able to convey this clearly is crucial for the role, so practice articulating these experiences.

Tip Number 4

Show your enthusiasm for continuous improvement and professional development. Be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to process improvements in previous roles and your plans for ongoing learning in the field.

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Accountant’, Permanent

Technical Accounting Skills
Knowledge of Local Government Financial Statements
Experience with ERP Systems
Strong Communication Skills
Ability to Explain Complex Financial Matters
Leadership and Team Development
Project Management
Continuous Improvement Mindset
Stakeholder Engagement
Audit Coordination
Financial Reporting Standards Knowledge
Qualified Accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, etc.)
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Chief Accountant position. Understand the key responsibilities, required qualifications, and the skills needed to excel in this role at Gloucestershire County Council.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasize your experience with Local Government statutory financial statements and any relevant qualifications such as CIPFA or ACCA. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed financial processes and communicated complex financial matters to non-financial stakeholders.

Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires strong communication skills, make sure to illustrate your ability to convey complex information clearly. Mention any experiences where you have effectively communicated with elected members or other stakeholders.

Tailor Your Application: Customize your CV and cover letter to reflect the values and goals of Gloucestershire County Council. Highlight your commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to the finance team's success.

How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council

Showcase Your Technical Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your experience with Local Government statutory financial statements. Highlight specific examples where you successfully led the annual closedown process or produced accounting statements, as this will demonstrate your technical knowledge and ability to meet deadlines.

Communicate Complex Financial Matters Clearly

Since the role requires communicating complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders, practice explaining intricate concepts in simple terms. Use examples from your past experiences where you effectively communicated with elected members or other non-financial audiences.

Emphasize Continuous Improvement Mindset

Discuss your commitment to creating a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence. Share any initiatives you've led or participated in that focused on process improvements within finance teams, especially in large organizations.

Prepare for Technical Briefings

Familiarize yourself with recent changes in reporting standards and be ready to discuss how these might impact the organization. Mention any relevant technical briefings you've attended, particularly those by CIPFA or similar bodies, to show your proactive approach to staying updated.

Chief Accountant’, Permanent
Gloucestershire County Council
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