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- Tasks: Provide financial advice and support for Social Care services, managing budgets and forecasts.
- Company: Local authority committed to community welfare and professional development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in local authority finance and knowledge of Social Care budgeting.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to equality and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
To provide high-quality, professional financial advice and support to a Council Service Directorate, with a particular focus on Social Care services. The postholder will lead on revenue and capital budget setting, monitoring, forecasting, and year-end closedown, ensuring compliance with local authority financial regulations and best practice. The role acts as a strategic finance partner to senior service managers, providing challenge, insight, and assurance while supporting effective decision-making and delivery of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Financial Support
- Act as the lead finance contact for an allocated Service Directorate (e.g. Adults Social Care, Children’s Services, Housing, or Community Services).
- Build strong, credible working relationships with Directors, Heads of Service, and senior managers.
- Act as a critical friend, providing constructive challenge and professional advice to support strategic and operational decision‑making.
- Proactively advise on the financial implications of service developments, policy changes, and new legislation.
- Budget Setting & Medium-Term Financial Planning
- Coordinate and lead the annual revenue and capital budget setting process for the allocated service area, in line with the corporate timetable.
- Support budget managers in understanding cost drivers, demand pressures, demographic trends, and financial risks.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), including savings and cost reduction programmes.
- Undertake detailed reviews of complex, high-risk, or volatile budgets, particularly within Social Care.
- Budget Monitoring & Forecasting
- Produce timely, accurate monthly revenue and capital monitoring reports.
- Quality‑assure budget forecasts provided by service managers, ensuring assumptions are robust and evidence‑based.
- Investigate and explain variances, identify risks and opportunities, and support the management of financial pressures.
- Present financial positions to Directorate Management Teams and Finance Business Partners as required.
- Financial Reporting & Year-End Accounts
- Plan and coordinate the year-end closedown process for the allocated Service Directorate.
- Ensure accurate accounting records, high-quality working papers, and compliance with statutory requirements.
- Provide information to support the production of the Council’s Statement of Accounts.
- Prepare and submit statutory financial and statistical returns and ensure accurate and timely grant claims.
- Leadership & Development
- Line‑manage and support a Senior Finance Officer, including performance appraisal and development.
- Provide financial training and guidance to service and budget managers.
- Promote a customer‑focused, professional finance service and ensure consistent standards across service finance teams.
- Governance, Compliance & Improvement
- Ensure compliance with statutory guidance, accounting standards, and the Council’s financial regulations.
- Escalate financial risks or breaches appropriately.
- Lead or contribute to financial improvement and transformation projects.
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of local government finance best practice and legislative changes.
Key Budget Areas (Indicative)
The role will be responsible for managing significant budgets within one or more of the following areas:
- Adults Social Care & Public Health
- Children’s Services (including DSG)
- Housing (General Fund & HRA)
- Community Services or Resources Directorate
Budgets range from £16m to £60m+, depending on allocation.
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience as a Service Accountant / Finance Business Partner within a UK local authority.
- Significant experience supporting Social Care services (Adults and/or Children’s).
Desirable
- Experience managing or supervising finance staff.
- Experience delivering financial improvement or transformation initiatives.
- Advanced use of financial systems and general ledger reporting tools.
- Knowledge of demographic and demand‑led budgeting within Social Care.
Additional Information
Occasional longer working hours during peak periods such as budget setting and year-end. Commitment to the Council’s values: Be Courageous, Do It Together, Make It Happen. Commitment to equality, diversity, information security, and health & safety.
Note: Experience as a Social Care Accountant within a Local Government environment is essential for this role.
Service Accountant – AR employer: Carrington Blake Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Carrington Blake Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Accountant – AR
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance and social care sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council’s financial strategies and recent developments in social care. Show that you’re not just a numbers person but someone who understands the bigger picture and can contribute to strategic discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Service Accountant. Highlight your skills in budget setting, monitoring, and compliance, and how they can benefit the council’s financial health.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Accountant – AR
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in local authority finance, especially in Social Care. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Service Accountant, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Financial Expertise: In your application, emphasise your knowledge of budget setting, monitoring, and financial reporting. We’re looking for someone who can provide high-quality financial advice, so include examples that demonstrate your ability to support strategic decision-making.
Highlight Your Relationship-Building Skills: Since this role involves working closely with senior managers and directors, it’s crucial to illustrate your ability to build strong relationships. Share instances where you’ve acted as a 'critical friend' or provided constructive challenge to enhance decision-making.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington Blake Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around budget setting and monitoring. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed budgets in the past, particularly in social care settings.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with senior managers and directors, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships. Prepare examples of how you've acted as a 'critical friend' in previous roles, providing constructive challenge and support.
✨Stay Current
Familiarise yourself with the latest local government finance regulations and best practices. Being able to discuss recent changes or challenges in the sector will show that you're proactive and knowledgeable, which is key for this role.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
If you have experience managing finance staff, be ready to talk about your leadership style and how you've supported team development. Highlight any training or guidance you've provided to others, as this will resonate well with the expectations of the role.
