At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic finance team to provide high-quality financial support and advice.
- Company: West Berkshire Council, a supportive and collaborative workplace.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, hybrid options, generous leave, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Great career growth potential and a focus on employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public finance while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Relevant accounting qualification or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced and motivated accountant looking for a new opportunity within a dynamic and supportive finance team? West Berkshire Council is seeking an Accountant to join the Capital team, reporting to the Senior Accountant, to provide high-quality financial support and advice across the council.
The Role As An Accountant, You Will Be Responsible For:
- Reviewing business cases, savings and investment bids
- Providing financial support and advice to service managers, ensuring effective budget management and control.
- Preparing and analysing financial reports, including central government returns and year‑end accounts.
- Monitoring and reporting on budget performance, identifying and investigating variances.
- Collaborating with other finance team members to ensure smooth month‑end and year‑end processes.
- Working on ad‑hoc financial analysis and projects, providing valuable insights to support decision‑making within the organisation.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:
- Relevant accounting qualification (e.g. AAT, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience working in a finance role, ideally within a public sector or similar environment.
- Strong knowledge of financial accounting principles and practices.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and manipulate complex data.
- Effective communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and provide financial advice to non‑finance colleagues.
- Self‑motivated and organised, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
- Proficient in using finance software and Microsoft Excel.
West Berkshire Council offers excellent employment benefits such as:
- Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00‑21.00
- Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
- Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
- Generous Local Government pension scheme
- Family friendly policies
- A range of local discounts
- Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
- A generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per annum (plus public holidays), rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact John Kavanagh on 01635 503227 or email john.kavanagh@westberks.gov.uk. We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to our dedicated and supportive finance team at West Berkshire Council.
The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Please now complete a short online application form. You will then be able to upload your CV.
This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.
Accountant (Financial Management and Revenues & Benefits) - 05627 in Newbury employer: Westberks
Contact Detail:
Westberks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Accountant (Financial Management and Revenues & Benefits) - 05627 in Newbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in public sector roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial knowledge and understanding of local government processes. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to budget management and financial reporting.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've interpreted complex data in past roles. This will help you stand out as someone who can provide valuable insights, just like the role requires.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our supportive finance team at West Berkshire Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Accountant (Financial Management and Revenues & Benefits) - 05627 in Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Accountant role. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experience, especially in financial management and public sector roles. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your analytical abilities and communication skills. This will help us see how you can provide valuable financial support.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforwardness, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for our finance team.
Apply Early!: Remember, we might close the application early if we get enough candidates, so don’t wait until the last minute. Get your application in as soon as possible through our website to avoid disappointment!
How to prepare for a job interview at Westberks
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your financial accounting principles and practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in budget management and reporting. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also put it into practice.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about specific scenarios, like how you would handle a budget variance or provide financial advice to non-finance colleagues. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar situations, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Software Skills
Since proficiency in finance software and Excel is crucial, be prepared to discuss your experience with these tools. You might even want to mention any specific projects where you used them to analyse data or prepare reports, highlighting your technical abilities.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.