Senior Accountant in Reading

Salary: £46,142 - £51,356 per annum, Grade 6.

Location: Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading.

Annual leave: 30 days. Flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities, and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking a Senior Accountant to join the Finance and Procurement team. In this role you will help deliver high-quality financial accounting services across the organisation, as well as to partners and external stakeholders.

You will be responsible for supporting the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement in budgeting, financial reporting, upholding general accounting principles, preparing Monthly Financial Reports and analysis, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and best practices, and providing accurate and timely financial information to management for decision-making. The Senior Accountant will report to the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a respected public service provider that prioritises the development and wellbeing of its employees. We offer flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, alongside a supportive and collaborative working environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the financial management of the organisation's revenue and capital budgets.
• Maintain ongoing liaison with cost centre managers, internal and external auditors, contractors and suppliers of financial services.
• Ensure the probity and integrity of financial management within the statutory and constitutional framework.
• Produce timely and accurate management information and consolidate budget and business information for the Authority; account for subsidiaries, joint ventures, shared services and collaborative arrangements.
• Deputise for the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement to provide a wide range of accountancy support including budgeting, budgetary control and monitoring, closedown procedures and financial advice to managers and budget holders across the organisation.
• Contribute to the consolidation of RBFRS year-end accounts and ensure statements are compliant with accounting standards.

Key Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Experience)

• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce financial policies, procedures and reports.
• Oral communication skills to provide advice and present complex financial information clearly to non-financial managers, senior management, elected members and other stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in strategic and financial planning within a complex organisational environment.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into financial reality.
• Ability to interpret new financial legislation and apply it appropriately to a large organisation.

The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework. The framework helps identify behaviours that drive successful performance and informs the selection process.

If you are interested in applying, please click Apply Now. The Job Profile/Person Specification is available via the link provided. Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check; rechecks will be required in line with DBS guidance and the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.

For further details about the role, contact Irene Kema Onyeri, Deputy Head of Finance & Procurement, to arrange an informal discussion. For queries about the application process or to discuss adaptations or adjustments, please contact Amanda Gavin at or by phone 01189 4550 for an informal discussion.

Please note we do not accept applications via agencies or CVs without an accompanying application form. Closing date for applications is 19 February 2026. It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run 26 February and 2 March 2026. Anticipated start date: ASAP. It is your responsibility to check whether applying would affect any Annual Allowance implications.

Our privacy notice is available via the Applicant Privacy Statement. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults; all employees must share this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified people. The service is committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare and inclusion across the organisation.