Finance Officer – Fixed Term 6 Months in Reading

Benefits

Salary: £33,699 – £38,220 per annum (pay award pending), Grade 4
Hours: Full Time – 37 hours per week
Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading
Excellent annual leave allowance of 25 days, flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available

About the role

This is an excellent opportunity to join Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) as a Finance Officer, the successful candidate will work across a range of functions within finance, gaining exposure to a variety of activities.

The role supports the delivery of effective and efficient financial accounting services, ensuring compliance with financial regulations while contributing to the organisation’s financial planning, monitoring and reporting. The postholder will help ensure that all external reporting is completed accurately, efficiently, and within required deadlines. You will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with established procedures relating to employee expense claims, RBFRS banking transactions, and procurement card administration.

A key aspect of the role is delivering excellent customer service to all RBFRS stakeholders, responding to enquiries promptly, professionally, and courteously.

About you

As a Finance Officer reporting to the Exchequer and Systems Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance function, working with a high level of accuracy and professionalism. Specifically, we are seeking a motivated individual with a strong foundation in finance who can manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively within a small team.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• To provide efficient and effective Finance administration and services to the organisation and to maintain accurate financial records directed
• Support budget setting, forecasting, monitoring and financial reporting cycle
• Provide financial advice and respond to queries from internal and external stakeholders
• Dealing with basic internal and external customer suppliers queries
• Process and monitor expenses, mileage claims and procurement card activity

Key role requirements (knowledge, skills and experience)

• Knowledge of accountancy practises
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory framework within the range of the role
• Competent with Microsoft Excel, Word, Access and Outlook.
• Ability to perform reconciliations of financial accounts and ability to solve and find effective solutions.

Commitments

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work. Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.

Applications are welcome for job‑share or part‑time arrangements.

All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment.

Closing date for applications

09:00 hours 31 July 2026.

Interview process

It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run w/c 3 August 2026.

Anticipated start date

August 2026

Additional information

Please note you are personally responsible to check whether by applying/accepting this position it would result in any Annual Allowance implications. A breach in the Annual Allowance threshold could result in a Tax charge.