Senior Accountant in Reading

Benefits: Salary: £46,142 - £51,356 per annum, Grade 6. Hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week. Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading. Excellent annual leave allowance of 30 days, flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available.

About the role: Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our dynamic Finance and Procurement team. In this key role, you will help deliver high-quality financial accounting services across the organisation, as well as to our partners and external stakeholders. You will be responsible for supporting the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement in areas of Budgeting, Financial Reporting, upholding general Accounting Principles, preparing Monthly Financial Reports and the Analysis relating to the reports, ensuring compliance with all 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.

About you: We are seeking a motivated and proactive individual who is ready to hit the ground running — ideally someone who is available to start immediately. To be considered, you must hold a CCAB or Part Qualified with over 5 years Accounting Experience and a minimum of 2 years Senior Accountant responsibilities and Financial Reporting responsibilities.

The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:

• Contribute to the financial management of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service's revenue and capital budgets.
• Contribute to ongoing liaisons with cost centre managers of all Directorates, internal and external auditors, contractors and suppliers of financial services.
• Ensure the probity and integrity of financial management in RBFRS within the statutory and constitutional framework.
• Produce timely & accurate management information and consolidate budget and business information for the Authority.
• Account for any 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 the preparation of budgets, budgetary control and monitoring, closedown procedures and financial advice to managers and budget holders and others across the organisation.
• Contribute to the consolidation of RBFRS's year-end accounts and ensure the Statements are compliant with accounting standards.

Key role 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 planning 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.

Application and selection process: The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached. The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.

If you are interested in applying for this position, click Apply Now. Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification. Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.

For further details about the role please contact Irene Kema Onyeri, Deputy Head of Finance & Procurement to arrange an informal discussion. If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application or with our promotion process please contact Amanda Gavin at or by phone 01189 4550 for an informal discussion.

Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CV's 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.

Please note that it is your personal responsibility 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.

Our Commitments: Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome here. 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 please enquire on application. 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 (formerly known as the Guaranteed 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.