Corporate Accountant - Finance in Pontypool

Are you an experienced qualified accountant or a recently qualified accountant looking to make a real difference? If you are, why not come and join Torfaen County Borough Council’s Finance Team. This is the perfect opportunity for someone looking to take the next steps in their career development to join a high-performing, motivated and supportive organisation.

This role is based within a small team which delivers the corporate accounting activities of the Council. The team covers a range of activities, including:

• Producing the statutory annual accounts
• Overseeing the external audit process
• Managing the capital programme
• Delivering the treasury management function
• Providing advice and guidance in a range of technical areas, such as VAT and asset accounting

This particular role will report to the Lead Finance Officer (Capital & Corporate). If successful, you’ll be responsible for a range of activities, including:

• Taking a lead on the Council’s treasury management function
• Assisting in the production of the annual accounts
• Maintaining / monitoring the Council’s balance sheet

In addition, for a minimum 12-month period, this role will take the accountancy lead for the Greater Gwent Pension Fund, which forms part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). In relation to the Pension Fund responsibility, specifically, you will play a key role in ensuring all assets are accounted for, reported on and that the Fund can operate effectively. You will be responsible for reporting to senior management on a regular basis and be able to understand and operate within a sophisticated financial framework.

You will be a key part of the external audit process, be responsible for preparing reports for boards and committee meetings, and acting as a vital link between the Pension Fund and the recently established Investment Management Company.

The successful candidate will be a fully qualified professional accountant (i.e. CCAB) and will meet the core competencies outlined within the Person Specification. We recognise that you will not necessarily have past experience of all of the functions the role is responsible for, therefore it is critical that you are a fast learner, have transferable skills and are willing to undertake training, where needed. Experience of Local Government and the Local Government Pension Scheme is not essential, however experience of working within an accountancy environment is vital, and an awareness of Local Government and Pension Fund accounting requirements would be ideal.

For the right candidate, we will be flexible in terms of office attendance, working pattern and working hours, making this a role that could be suitable for someone seeking part-time hours. Other benefits include:

• An annual leave allowance starting at an initial 24 days (increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 32 days after 10 years’ service)
• 11 paid bank holidays per year
• Flexible working scheme, including homeworking
• A comprehensive Pension scheme (LGPS), with employer contributions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Staff benefit card

For more information see the Job Description and Person Specification. For an informal discussion about the role, please email Robert Green, Head of Financial Services or Joanne Griffiths, Head of Pension Fund to arrange a call back.

You must demonstrate how you meet the Essential criteria listed in the attached Person Specification in order to secure an interview.

Torfaen County Borough Council strives to be a fair, supportive and effective employer. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Council expects all employees, paid or unpaid, to share this commitment. We value the range of experiences that a diverse workforce brings and therefore we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and under-represented groups.

Welsh Language Skills are desirable for this post but not essential. You are welcome to submit your application in English or in Welsh. Each application will be treated equally.

We are a registered Disability Confident Leader and are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. Our Guaranteed Interview scheme guarantees that people with disabilities will be invited to interview, so long as they meet the essential requirements for the role. If you have a health condition, are neurodivergent, or use British sign language, and need to discuss reasonable adjustments, please contact the recruiting manager.

Please ensure that you only apply for this position via Torfaen Council’s vacancies website. CVs and applications submitted to any other websites are not received by us.

Basis: Full Time

Package: Permanent