Technical Accountant – Epping Forest District Council (Full Time)

Technical Accountant – Epping Forest District Council

Help shape financial excellence and make a real difference in your community.

Epping Forest District Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Technical Accountant to join our Finance Team. This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong accounting professional to play a pivotal role in delivering high‑quality financial reporting, supporting informed decision‑making, and ensuring robust financial governance across the Council.

Role Details

• Location: Civic Offices, Epping (hybrid working available, subject to service requirements)
• Salary: Grade J – £61,754 to £64,265 per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: 36 hours per week (flexible working arrangements considered)

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Accountant, you will be responsible for providing expert technical accounting support across the Council. Working closely with colleagues across Finance and wider service areas, you will lead on key specialist accounting functions, support the production of statutory accounts, and contribute to the continuous improvement of financial processes and controls.

This is a highly visible role offering a varied workload, professional challenge, and the opportunity to influence financial reporting and governance across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical accounting advice on complex transactions and accounting treatments across the Council.
• Lead on Collection Fund accounting (Council Tax and Business Rates/NNDR), including estimates, year‑end reconciliations, disclosures, supporting papers, and liaison with internal stakeholders and external auditors.
• Take ownership of the Council's Group Accounts, ensuring compliance with accounting requirements and preparing all associated working papers and disclosures.
• Support the preparation and delivery of the annual Statement of Accounts, including high‑quality working papers, disclosures and audit responses.
• Prepare and review key system reconciliations, including payroll and bank reconciliations, ensuring discrepancies are investigated and resolved promptly.
• Contribute to capital accounting, leases and fixed asset accounting, supporting year‑end closedown and responding to audit queries.
• Complete the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) return and support the preparation of other statutory returns, alongside treasury management and VAT activities.
• Drive improvements to finance systems, reporting processes, templates, controls, and year‑end procedures.
• Support and develop team members through effective workload management, coaching and day‑to‑day guidance.

About You

We're looking for a positive, proactive and self‑motivated professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.

Essential Requirements

• A minimum of five years' experience within Local Government in a similar technical accounting role.
• Significant experience in:
  • Collection Fund accounting
  • Group Accounts
  • System reconciliations
  • Completion of statutory returns, including WGA, RA and RO returns
• Experience supporting the closure of accounts process and working with external auditors.
• CCAB‑qualified (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or qualified by experience with substantial technical accounting expertise.
• Strong knowledge of local authority statutory accounting and financial reporting requirements.
• Proven ability to interpret complex accounting guidance and translate it into practical, clear advice.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word.
• Experience using financial systems to support reporting, reconciliations, controls and year‑end processes.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and delivering excellent services.

Why Join Epping Forest District Council?

This is an opportunity to join a supportive and ambitious Finance Team during an exciting period of development and transformation.

We offer:

• A collaborative and flexible working environment, combining remote and office‑based working.
• Modern, high‑specification offices located in Epping.
• Hybrid working arrangements, with attendance expected for team meetings, collaborative activities, project work and other business requirements.
• A varied and rewarding role with genuine influence across the organisation.
• Opportunities for professional growth and ongoing development.
• The chance to help shape the future of the Council's financial function.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave, plus public holidays (pro rata for part‑time employees)
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Ongoing professional development and training support
• Flexible and family‑friendly working arrangements
• Employee wellbeing support initiatives

How to Apply

If you are looking for a role where you can apply your technical expertise, develop your public sector career and make a meaningful contribution to your local community, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please submit your application via the Working for Essex website.

Closing Date: 27 July 2026
Interview Date: W/C 3rd August

Contact

Mandy Fuller, Chief Accountant
mfuller@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Nuala Donnelly, Service Director
ndonnelly@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Epping Forest District Council is proud to be an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

Epping Forest District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.