Senior Accountant (Internal only)

Our finance team plays a central role in making sure the Council runs well, and we’re looking for two experienced accountants to join us at a senior level.

You’ll be leading accountancy support to a directorate or group of services, managing a team, and acting as deputy to the Service Manager when needed.

The two roles

The technical post covers the full range of local government accountancy; budgets, forecasts, final accounts, recharges, with a particular emphasis on collection fund accounting.

Capital & VAT post covers capital accounting and VAT, alongside the broader senior accountancy responsibilities. You’ll need a solid grounding in both areas and an appreciation of how they interact with the Council’s overall financial position.

Please indicate in your application which post you’re applying for, or if you’d be happy to be considered for either.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the closedown activity for your respective area to ensure the council can complete its draft financial statements within the statutory timeframe and liaising with audit when necessary.

• Providing accounting, budgetary and financial support to a directorate or group of services

• Managing a team – including performance reviews, development conversations and day-to-day oversight
• Deputising for the Service Manager, including attending committee meetings and producing reports
• Overseeing all accounting arrangements for your services to ensure compliance with accounting standards, CIPFA guidance and legislation
• Providing financial advice and direction to senior managers and elected members
• Acting as financial adviser to panels and boards as assigned
• Contributing to budgeting, monitoring and final accounts cycles
• Identifying and raising financial risks and issues with the management team
• Supporting process improvement and cross-team working
• Getting involved in major financial projects, including efficiency reviews

• Full membership of a CCAB body
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and its benefit across a portfolio of work
• Experience of leading and developing a finance team
• Experience of supporting managers to build financial management skills and manage budgets effectively
• Detailed knowledge of local government accounting legislation and best practice
• Detailed knowledge of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting
• Sound understanding of financial management principles
• Confident with financial systems, accounting software and spreadsheets
• Strong communication, influencing and negotiating skills
• Able to manage and re-prioritise work across a team in a dynamic environment

This is a fixed term contract, for two years.

At Dorset Council we value flexible working. This is a hybrid role with much of the work able to be done remotely, with occasional travel to County Hall, Dorchester, and other locations as required.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Dan Matthews, by emailing [email protected]

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

• provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.