Accountant - Waverley Court in Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council is looking for a skilled and motivated Capital and Projects Accountant to join our Finance Team. This role supports effective financial management of capital programmes and major projects, ensuring strong governance, accurate reporting and value for money across a diverse portfolio of investments. The post requires a full Professional Accountancy qualification which is recognised by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB), however relevant experience may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

As an Accountant in the Capital and Strategic projects team, you will play a key role in supporting the planning, monitoring and delivery of the Council’s capital programme. Working closely with project managers, finance colleagues and senior stakeholders, you will provide expert financial advice, robust analysis and transparent reporting to support strategic decision making.

You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards, local government regulations and the CIPFA Prudential Code, whilst helping to deliver on the Council’s core priorities of reducing poverty, becoming a net-zero city and creating good places to live and work. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-impact initiatives that shape the city’s growth and public services.

The Council is undergoing a significant transformation with a focus on prevention and the adoption of zero-based budgeting principles. By prioritising budgets towards early intervention and preventative activities, the Council aims to reduce long-term demand on services, improve financial sustainability and deliver better value for communities. This role will play a key part in challenging existing spending assumptions and embedding zero-based budgeting within the capital programme.

You will have lead responsibility for advice and support to senior service managers across a range of service areas. Your key responsibilities will include capital budget development, capital budget monitoring, final accounts, supporting a comprehensive best value review and supporting the development of new initiatives.

We are looking for professionals who can deliver excellent client service as well as contribute their professional expertise to the development of financial management and complex projects. You must be able to build effective relationships and work collaboratively and constructively with service managers and partners to achieve agreed outcomes. You will collaborate closely with other members of the Finance team, service managers and external agencies providing professional financial advice ensuring the highest standards of client service, professional practice and financial governance are achieved.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience. Disabled and care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

As part of our goal to improve organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure we're recruiting the best people. We’re interested not only in your skills and experience but also in your approach to work. Therefore, part of our interview process will be an assessment of how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.

You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page.

Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range. Happy to talk flexible working.