Accountant Level 1 in Bournemouth

Starting salary for this role is £34,434 (pro rata for part-time colleagues). This role sits within a well-defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception, all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward-thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

BCP has an extensive investment strategy and aspiration to make our area a place where residents, visitors, and businesses thrive. We are looking for someone with the financial acumen and professional skills to help realise these opportunities against the backdrop of an increasingly challenging economic environment.

Role Purpose

The Accountant Level 1 will be responsible for the processing of BCP income streams (imports/eReturns) into the daily bank reconciliation which feeds into the General Ledger. This will include data integrity checks and communication with BCP colleagues and 3rd party suppliers to resolve discrepancies and operational system needs. Responsibilities also include completion of key corporate control accounts such as Business rates, involvement in the Council’s closedown process completing income accruals and other notes. As part of a team, look to improve existing processes to ensure working practices are cost-effective and efficient, maximising new technologies. Key responsibilities will be subject to external and internal audit overview on an annual basis so accurate record keeping is essential.

Main Responsibilities

• Process daily income streams and bank reconciliation in a timely manner to maintain accurate residents' financial records and Council management statements.
• Key contact with corporate core businesses e.g. Barclays, Cardnet and EPOS providers.
• Provide support and guidance to colleagues, companies and 3rd Party to resolve queries received by the team, on matters such as unallocated transfers, missing payments to ensure residents' income is allocated correctly and efficiently.
• System Administration of BCP’s core banking solutions (inc Barclays, Pay360) to ensure services have appropriate permissions to undertake their role and maintain a centralised record to comply with financial obligations.
• Using specialist knowledge to improve existing working procedures to promote best practice or make recommendations to senior management to maximise effectiveness of the team and system performance to provide a better service to the client base.
• Transferring knowledge to Income and Banking Team and wider service users.
• To undertake other duties within the Income and Banking / Financial Services as required within the level of this post.

Qualifications

• Qualified to Level 3 AAT.
• Good working knowledge of MS Dynamics, Pay360.
• Good working knowledge of MS Office applications including MS Teams, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Practical experience of financial practices, processes and procedures including a broader commercial awareness.
• Technical knowledge of processing and accounting for financial payments from multiple feeds.
• Skilled in financial reconciliation, data investigation, system, and process enhancement/development with a broad knowledge across financial areas.
• Ability to respond effectively to complex customer enquiries and requests.
• Experience of coaching, training, and/or developing others and a commitment to own professional development.

Personal Qualities & Attributes

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written; able to resolve any potential barriers to collaborating with others by communicating openly and challenging unhelpful behaviours when necessary.
• Proactively engage with customers and service users, using tact and diplomacy when issues might become contentious.
• Able to make data/evidence-based, outcome-focused decisions using proactive risk management and working within set procedures and regulations.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own workload, responding positively to conflicting demands.
• Demonstrates professional curiosity to recommend, create and implement more effective, innovative ways of working that will enhance the customer/service user’s experience.
• Appreciates diversity in both customers and colleagues and demonstrates consideration to their individual needs.
• Able to work effectively on their own initiative, operating as part of a team.

Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on our website. If you are positive and aspiring and share our vision, then we want to hear from you. For an informal discussion about this role, please call Simon Harridge, Income and Banking Team Manager on 01202 093488.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK. At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work. We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need. It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help.

For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career-defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.