Technical Year-End / Closedown Accountant
Location: Rugby Borough Council, Rugby
Contract: Temporary – Project Support
Working Pattern: Ideally 2–3 days per week in the office, with some flexibility
Start Date: ASAP
Rate: Negotiable, depending on experience (starting 650 per day)
The Role
Rugby Borough Council is looking for an experienced Technical Year-End / Closedown Accountant to support its annual financial year-end closedown programme as part of a wider financial transformation project.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced local government finance professional to provide specialist technical accounting support, helping ensure the Council’s year-end accounts are accurate, complete and compliant with relevant local government accounting requirements.
You will play an important role in supporting the preparation and review of the Council’s year-end financial statements, investigating financial discrepancies, completing technical accounting work and responding to audit queries. The role will suit someone who has hands‑on experience of local authority year-end closedown and understands the financial reporting requirements within a council environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Council’s annual financial year-end closedown process, ensuring key deadlines and reporting requirements are met.
- Assist with the preparation, review and completion of the Council’s annual Statement of Accounts and statutory financial statements.
- Provide technical accounting advice and guidance on complex financial reporting matters.
- Prepare and review year‑end journals, accruals, prepayments, provisions and other accounting adjustments.
- Complete and review balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies where necessary.
- Review income, expenditure, assets and liabilities to ensure financial records are accurate and complete.
- Support capital accounting activities, including fixed asset accounting and relevant year‑end adjustments.
- Ensure financial reporting complies with local government accounting regulations, relevant legislation and the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice.
- Respond to external audit queries and provide supporting schedules, explanations and financial information.
- Work closely with colleagues across the Finance team to resolve outstanding year‑end issues.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, controls and closedown procedures.
- Provide technical support to the wider financial transformation programme.
Essential Experience and Skills
The successful candidate will have:
- Recent and demonstrable experience working within a Local Authority finance environment.
- Extensive practical experience of local authority year‑end closedown and technical accounting.
- Experience preparing, reviewing or supporting the production of a Council’s Statement of Accounts.
- Strong knowledge of local government accounting requirements and statutory financial reporting.
- Experience completing year‑end journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations.
- The ability to investigate complex financial issues and resolve discrepancies.
- Experience dealing with external auditors and responding to audit queries.
- Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
- The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- Confident communication skills, with the ability to explain technical accounting matters clearly.
Desirable
- Experience working within a District or Borough Council.
- A recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW.
- Knowledge of the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice.
- Experience of capital accounting, fixed assets and local government financial reporting.
- Experience supporting finance transformation or improving year‑end processes.
About You
You will be a technically strong and hands‑on finance professional who can quickly understand the Council’s financial processes and provide effective support during a busy year-end period.
You should be confident working with minimal supervision, comfortable investigating complex accounting matters and able to hit the ground running. Previous experience of local authority closedown is essential, as this role requires someone who understands the specific financial reporting and statutory requirements of local government.
Working Arrangements
The Council would ideally like the successful candidate to attend the office around 2–3 days per week, although some flexibility may be available for the right person.
This is an urgent requirement, and candidates must be available to start at short notice. The Council is looking to arrange a one‑stage interview as soon as possible.
Please note: Recent Local Authority experience is essential. Candidates with exclusively private‑sector or central government finance experience will not be suitable for this position.
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Technical Close-Down Accountant – EK in Rugby employer: Rugby Borough Council
Rugby Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises both community impact and employee wellbeing. With a strong commitment to personal development, we offer extensive career opportunities, hybrid working options, and a supportive work culture that fosters growth and collaboration. Join us in making a meaningful difference in one of the UK's fastest-growing boroughs while enjoying generous benefits such as 35 days of leave, learning programmes, and family-friendly policies.
