Accountant

Recruitment Opportunities; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Luton Council is seeking an experienced accountant to join the Finance Housing & Trading team. You will deliver financial support, advice and management information across council services and work with budget managers to support budgeting and monitoring.

The role requires strong accounting and financial management experience, plus proficiency with financial systems and advanced spreadsheets. An AAT qualification or equivalent is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience in accounting and financial management within local government or public sector is preferred.
• Ability to provide professional financial advice and influence senior decision-making.
• Proficiency with financial management systems and advanced spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality financial support, advice and management information across council services.
• Work with budget managers and senior officers to support budget setting and monitoring.
• Contribute to strategic financial planning and improvement projects.

Skills

Accountancy experience

Financial analysis

Advanced spreadsheet skills

Education

AAT qualification

Tools

Financial management systems

Job description

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Salary: £40,444 - £43,149 a year pro rata
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract type: Internal Secondment/ Fixed Term for 6 months

This role is available for 6 months. Internal candidates who are permanent employees of Luton Council will be appointed on a secondment basis, while external candidates and other eligible applicants will be appointed on a fixed-term contract for 6 months.

Current Luton Council employees applying for this opportunity must obtain written approval from their manager before applying (an email will suffice). A copy of this approval must be included with the application, as we will be unable to progress applications without it.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

What You’ll be doing

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for your nextchallenge? We're seeking anenthusiastic and motivated Accountantto join our Finance Housing & Trading team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering high-quality financial support, advice and management information across a range of council services. You'll work closely with budget managers, senior officers and stakeholders, providing expert financial guidance, supporting budget setting and monitoring processes, and contributing to strategic financial planning and improvement projects

What we’re looking for

We are looking for an individual with strong accountancy and financial management experience, who is able to effectively manage financial processes and contribute to organisational success. The successful candidate will be confident in providing professional financial advice and influencing decision-making at a senior level.

You will have experience working with financial management systems and advanced spreadsheet applications, using these tools to analyse and interpret complex financial information. A proactive and analytical approach is essential, with the ability to identify issues, develop practical solutions, and support informed decision-making.

The role also requires the ability to work independently, while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment and building effective working relationships across the organisation.

You'll have a full AAT qualification (or equivalent experience), excellent analytical skills, and the ability to build effective working relationships across the organisation. Experience within local government or the public sector would be advantageous.

If you're looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can make a real impact on the Council's financial performance and service delivery, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

Application Process

Applicants for this public-facing post will need to demonstrate the ability to converse, and provide effective help or advice, fluently in spoken English

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.