At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical accounting and capital programme oversight while managing a small finance team.
- Company: Uttlesford District Council, serving a vibrant rural community in Essex.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, generous pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial governance and support community growth.
- Qualifications: CCAB qualified accountant with experience in local government finance.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Uttlesford District Council is located in the picturesque market town of Saffron Walden, serving a vibrant rural community across Essex. The Council delivers key services including housing, planning, waste and community development, alongside an ambitious capital programme supporting growth and sustainability.
This is a pivotal senior finance role that combines technical accounting expertise, capital programme oversight, and strong service-facing business partnering, alongside the management of a small team. You will play a key role in ensuring robust financial governance while working closely with services to provide meaningful financial insight, challenge, and support across both revenue and capital activity.
Key Responsibilities- Technical & Statutory Accounting
- Lead on the preparation of the Council's Statement of Accounts, ensuring compliance with the CIPFA Code and IFRS.
- Act as the lead on technical accounting matters including assets, pensions, and complex accounting treatments.
- Manage year-end processes and coordinate the external audit.
- Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and strengthen financial governance.
- Capital & Financial Management
- Oversee the Council's capital programme, ensuring effective monitoring, forecasting, and reporting.
- Maintain the fixed asset register and ensure accurate capital accounting.
- Support services with capital bids, business cases, and investment decisions.
- Advise on capital financing options including borrowing, grants, and capital receipts.
- Service-Focused Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted finance partner for services, providing support, challenge, and insight.
- Lead on budget setting and in-year monitoring, working closely with service managers.
- Translate financial data into clear and practical advice to support decision-making.
- Build strong relationships across the organisation to embed finance within service delivery.
- Leadership & Team Management
- Manage, support, and develop a team of 4 finance staff.
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and performance oversight.
- Drive continuous improvement across processes, reporting, and ways of working.
- Strategic Contribution
- Contribute to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and long-term planning.
- Support the development of financial policies and procedures.
- Represent Finance across corporate projects, working groups, and transformation activities.
- CCAB qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent).
- Strong experience in technical accounting and capital finance within local government.
- Proven ability to work closely with services and influence stakeholders.
- Experience managing or supervising staff.
- Strong communication, analytical, and organisational skills.
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
- Flexible hybrid working with minimal office presence required.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and progression.
Senior Accountant - Technical in Chelmsford employer: Hays
Uttlesford District Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in the charming market town of Saffron Walden. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a commitment to professional development, employees can thrive while contributing to vital community services and ambitious capital projects. The Council values strong financial governance and provides opportunities for meaningful engagement with various stakeholders, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in local government finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant - Technical in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, 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 technical accounting knowledge and understanding of capital finance. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to financial governance and service-focused business partnering.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've managed teams and driven improvements in past roles. Highlighting your experience in mentoring and developing staff will set you apart.
✨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 Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your technical accounting expertise and any relevant local government experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Senior Accountant role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed capital programmes or led teams in the past.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves partnering with services, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong communication abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us you can translate financial data into practical advice.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your technical accounting knowledge, especially around the CIPFA Code and IFRS. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, particularly in preparing statements of accounts or managing year-end processes.
✨Showcase Your Service-Focused Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've partnered with services in the past. Think about times when you translated complex financial data into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to be a trusted finance partner.
✨Leadership Experience Matters
Since this role involves managing a small team, be ready to talk about your leadership style. Share specific instances where you've mentored staff or driven improvements in processes. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative environment.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Research Uttlesford District Council's capital programme and their strategic goals. During the interview, express how your skills align with their objectives and how you can contribute to their Medium-Term Financial Strategy. This shows you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in their mission.
