Accountant

Lancaster City Council; Lancaster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Financial Services professional to support their statutory financial duties. The position involves budget preparation, fiscal reporting, and collaboration with auditors in a hybrid working environment. Successful candidates must possess a CCAB qualification or equivalent experience in local government finance, alongside strong financial analysis and communication skills. This is a full-time, permanent role offering a generous benefits package and opportunities for flexible working.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Local Government Pension Scheme

Discounted gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

Opportunities for extra time off

Qualifications

• Must be CCAB-qualified or have significant experience in local government finance.
• Ability to prepare budgets and liaise with auditors.
• Experience in financial reporting is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the Principal Accountant in delivering financial duties.
• Prepare budgets for corporate financial planning.
• Ensure statutory accounts are completed on time.

Skills

Financial technical accounting ability

Excellent communication skills

Strong financial management skills

Financial analysis skills

Education

CCAB qualification or significant experience in local government finance

Job description

The Financial Services team exists to ensure the Council is able to effectively secure, deploy and manage its resources in pursuit of its ambitious goals, such as its sector‑leading Carbon Zero programme. We are currently seeking applications from enthusiastic and committed individuals who would be responsible for providing a wide range of financial and systems administration support. You must be able to demonstrate a high degree of financial technical accounting ability, whilst also possessing excellent communication and strong financial management skills.

About the Role

As a key member of the Accountancy Team, your primary purpose will be to support the Principal Accountant and help deliver the statutory financial duties of the Council. You will be responsible for a range of financial and accountancy activities including the preparation of budgets in support of the corporate financial planning process. You will support the closure of accounts process, liaise with the auditors and ensure the statutory accounts are completed on time.

The position is challenging and will require strong financial analysis skills and input into reporting for various stakeholders, including senior managers and Heads of Service. Post holders must be CCAB‑qualified accountants or have significant experience in a local government finance environment.

Hybrid Working and Location

This post will require a hybrid approach to working, with attendance at onsite and online meetings, bookable workspaces and working from home. Meetings may be in Lancaster, Morecambe or elsewhere in the District and County. Your assumed place of work will be Lancaster City Centre.

Hours & Contract

The post is permanent, working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This is a full‑time post, however, we would also welcome applications from applicants who would like to work part‑time.

Flexible Working

Flexible working friendly – we offer hybrid working, a generous flexi‑time scheme, and opportunity to work with your team to establish working hours to enable you to maximise your work‑life balance.

About You

You will identify with our organisational values of Pride, Ownership, Working Together and Ambition.

Our Benefits

• Generous annual leave allowance
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• A range of employee benefits including discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, the opportunity to purchase extra time off, as well as discounts on days out, activities and retail.

Environmental Commitment

Lancaster City Council has unanimously declared a climate emergency and will therefore work towards reducing carbon emissions to net‑zero by 2030. As part of this role, you will be expected to participate and work towards reducing both carbon emissions and the impacts of climate change.

Inclusive Employer

We are an Investor in People, Forces Friendly employer, and an Armed Forces Covenant committed organisation. We welcome applications from defence reserves and other members of our armed forces community. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all parts of our community. At Lancaster City Council we aim to have a diverse workforce that is representative of the district that we serve and provide a working environment where each employee feels able to bring their whole self to work. We welcome applications from all sections of our community and provide several supportive and inclusive workplace networks and safe spaces for employees to feel connected. Our workplace wellbeing strategy drives our commitment to staff wellbeing initiatives and ensuring that our organisation is a great place to work for all.

Disability Confidence

We are a disability confident committed employer.

Contact

Interview date: TBC