At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver high-quality financial leadership and support across Council services.
- Company: Uttlesford District Council, offering a predominantly remote work environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on continuous improvement and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding financial decisions in local government.
- Qualifications: CCAB qualified accountant with strong business partnering experience.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
A senior finance role focused on delivering high-quality financial leadership, business partnering, and strategic support across Council services. You will work closely with budget holders and senior stakeholders to provide insight, challenge, and guidance to support effective decision-making, alongside contributing to the Council's statutory and financial reporting responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Partnering & Service Support: Act as a trusted finance business partner to service areas, providing proactive financial advice and challenge. Support budget holders with financial planning, forecasting, and performance management. Translate financial information into clear insights to support operational and strategic decisions. Build strong working relationships across the organisation to embed a culture of financial accountability.
- Financial Management & Reporting: Contribute to budget setting, in-year monitoring, and forecasting processes across revenue and capital. Support the preparation of financial reports for senior leadership and Members. Assist in the development and delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Provide analysis and insight on financial performance, risks, and opportunities.
- Technical Accounting (Supporting Role): Support the production of the annual Statement of Accounts in line with regulatory requirements. Assist with audit processes and ensure timely and accurate responses to auditor queries. Provide input into technical accounting areas where required, ensuring compliance with relevant standards.
- Capital & Strategic Finance (Advisory): Provide financial support and challenge on capital projects and business cases. Work with services to ensure robust forecasting and financial oversight of capital activity. Contribute to maintaining appropriate financial controls and reporting for capital expenditure.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Support and mentor finance colleagues, promoting continuous development and high performance. Collaborate across finance and wider teams to drive improvement and consistency in financial practices. Represent finance in cross-functional meetings, project work, and service reviews. Deputise for senior finance leadership where required.
Person Specification
- Essential: CCAB qualified accountant (e.g., CIPFA, ACA, ACCA). Strong experience in business partnering and stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to influence and support non-financial managers. Good understanding of local government finance and reporting requirements. Excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
- Desirable: Experience supporting capital programmes and strategic financial planning. Familiarity with local government financial systems (e.g., Civica, Oracle). Broader exposure to technical accounting and audit processes.
Senior Accountant - Technical in Essex employer: Hays Senior Finance
Uttlesford District Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and work-life balance, offering a predominantly remote working environment complemented by periodic on-site meetings. With a strong focus on financial leadership and business partnering, employees are encouraged to build meaningful relationships across the organisation while contributing to impactful decision-making processes. The Council fosters a collaborative culture, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a significant difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant - Technical in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in local government. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your business partnering skills. Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced non-financial managers and provided strategic support in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills during interviews. Bring along some insights or reports you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to translate financial data into actionable advice for stakeholders.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Accountant - Technical in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Accountant role. Highlight your business partnering experience and any relevant financial leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decision-making in previous positions, and don't forget to mention your understanding of local government finance.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role involves technical accounting, make sure to highlight your CCAB qualifications and any experience with audit processes. We love seeing candidates who can navigate complex financial regulations with ease!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Senior Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Accountant, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decision-making in previous roles. This shows you can translate complex financial information into actionable insights.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves business partnering, practice how to establish strong relationships with non-financial managers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different teams to drive financial accountability and support strategic decisions.
✨Master the Technical Details
Familiarise yourself with local government finance and reporting requirements, as well as any relevant technical accounting standards. Be prepared to discuss your experience with audit processes and how you ensure compliance in your work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This position requires mentoring and collaboration. Think of instances where you've led a team or project, and be ready to share how you’ve promoted high performance and continuous development among your colleagues.
