Accountant

Dorset Council; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset Council is seeking an experienced Accountant to join the Schools, Finance & Support Team, focusing on budgets and funding for early years providers and schools in Dorset.

You will set budgets, monitor funding, and ensure compliance with DSG, NFF and DfE guidance, collaborating with the Dorset Schools’ Forum to align with national formulas and local priorities. This role also involves staff line management and training responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Full membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians (or an equivalent degree/qualification).
• Substantial experience working through complex financial issues with internal and external partners.
• Experience in a similar or related financial environment.
• Experience using ICT systems for data analysis and financial modelling.
• Proven track record of providing sound financial advice to a range of stakeholders.
• Experience in staff supervision and management.

Responsibilities

• Consult with early years providers and set the Early Years Budget to meet local needs and national requirements.
• Oversee payments to early years providers and carefully monitor the budget.
• Monitor the compliance with the DfE’s early years statutory guidance and manage audit and compliance checks with early years providers.
• Manage and update the Dorset Local Provider Agreement.
• Develop and maintain funding for pupils in mainstream schools in accordance with the requirements of the national funding formula (NFF).
• Manage consultations with schools on future funding and changes to the Scheme for Financing Schools.
• Present reports to the Dorset Schools’ Forum
• Design and develop budget setting tools for maintained schools (which include mainstream schools, special schools and learning centres).
• Deliver financial training to schools and governors.
• Carefully check the 3-year financial plans submitted by maintained schools and provide feedback.
• Design and calculate mechanisms for distributing grants.
• Monitor maintained school budgets and forecast of outturn reports during the year and highlight spending variances.
• Meet with schools facing financial difficulties and provide support in respect of deficit avoidance or recovery.
• Line management of team members.
• Provide support to the team in respect of the High Needs Block of the DSG as required.

Skills

AAT membership

Financial analysis

Stakeholder communication

Staff supervision

Financial modelling

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent

Relevant degree/qualification

Tools

Financial modelling software

Job description

About the role

Dorset Council is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people in education. We are looking for a dedicated Accountant to join our Schools, Finance & Support Team.

As the Schools and Early Years Accountant in the team, you will have a key role in setting budgets and monitoring the funding for early years providers and schools in Dorset. You will need to be up to date with changes to the Early Years and Schools Blocks of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and manage consultations on any proposed changes to future funding. In this role, you will work closely with the Dorset Schools’ Forum to ensure future funding aligns with the national funding formula (NFF), whilst addressing local priorities and operating within the available funding.

Key Responsibilities:

• Consult with early years providers and set the Early Years Budget to meet local needs and national requirements.
• Oversee payments to early years providers and carefully monitor the budget.
• Monitor the compliance with the DfE’s early years statutory guidance and manage audit and compliance checks with early years providers.
• Manage and update the Dorset Local Provider Agreement.
• Develop and maintain funding for pupils in mainstream schools in accordance with the requirements of the national funding formula (NFF).
• Manage consultations with schools on future funding and changes to the Scheme for Financing Schools.
• Present reports to the Dorset Schools’ Forum
• Design and develop budget setting tools for maintained schools (which include mainstream schools, special schools and learning centres).
• Deliver financial training to schools and governors.
• Carefully check the 3-year financial plans submitted by maintained schools and provide feedback.
• Design and calculate mechanisms for distributing grants.
• Monitor maintained school budgets and forecast of outturn reports during the year and highlight spending variances.
• Meet with schools facing financial difficulties and provide support in respect of deficit avoidance or recovery.
• Line management of team members.
• Provide support to the team in respect of the High Needs Block of the DSG as required.

About You:

• Full membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians (or an equivalent degree/qualification).
• Substantial experience working through complex financial issues with internal and external partners.
• Experience in a similar or related financial environment.
• Experience using ICT systems for data analysis and financial modelling.
• Proven track record of providing sound financial advice to a range of stakeholders.
• Experience in staff supervision and management.

Essential Skills and Knowledge:

• Detailed knowledge of government legislation and guidance on local government early years and school finance regulations.
• A responsive, positive and agile approach to problem solving; both reactive to demand and pro‑active in forecasting need.
• Effective communication and presentation skills; eg tact, diplomacy, objectivity, balance and a confident encouraging approach, at all levels.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement to respond to changing demands nationally and locally.

This is an interesting and varied role that requires technical and people skills. Full training will be provided on early years and school finance rules and regulations. You will be part of a supportive and caring team trying to make a difference to the lives of children and families in Dorset.

Further Information

This position has a significant travel requirement. This means that there is a requirement for a vehicle (or transport deemed to be suitable by the Council) to be available on most working days in order to carry out normal duties. Employees in positions with a significant travel requirement are required to provide a replacement vehicle if their usual vehicle is not available over an extended period.

This is a full time role at 37 hours per week.

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Working time will be split between working in the office at County Hall, visiting schools or early years providers in Dorset and working from home.

This post requires you to have access to sensitive information. It will be subject to a Basic Criminal Records Check. See our policy on the employment of ex‑offenders.

See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.

Please contact Vanessa Eddey for more information or an informal conversation: [e-mail], telephone [phone]

The interview will involve a financial task and/or presentation

About Us

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.