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 supportive team focused on continuous development and high performance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local government finance while collaborating with diverse teams.
- 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 employer: Hays Senior Finance
Uttlesford District Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a focus on financial leadership and business partnering, employees benefit from flexible remote working arrangements, opportunities for mentorship, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in local governance. Join us to be part of a team that values financial accountability and fosters strong relationships across services, ensuring a rewarding career in public finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant - Technical
✨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 financial support in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills during interviews. Bring along examples of financial reports you've prepared or insights you've provided that led to better decision-making. Numbers tell a story!
✨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
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Accountant. Highlight your experience in business partnering and financial leadership, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like CCAB. 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 and supported non-financial managers in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a Senior Accountant, you'll need to communicate complex financial information clearly. In your application, demonstrate your ability to translate financial jargon into insights that everyone can understand. We’re all about building strong relationships here!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Senior Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around local government finance and reporting requirements. Be prepared to discuss how you've used financial data to influence decision-making in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
Think of specific examples where you've acted as a trusted finance business partner. Highlight how you've provided proactive financial advice and supported budget holders with planning and performance management.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since this role involves translating complex financial information into clear insights, practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to engage with non-financial managers effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to technical accounting and audit processes. Familiarise yourself with the annual Statement of Accounts and be ready to discuss compliance with relevant standards, as this will show your readiness for the supporting role.
