Accountant

Oldham; Oldham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount scheme

LGPS pension

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Oldham Council is seeking an Accountant to support financial decision-making across the organisation. You’ll work with budget holders and service managers to provide high-quality financial management information and guidance, ensuring public funds are used effectively.

The role focuses on supporting budgets, forecasting, year-end processes and compliance with financial regulations. It offers a collaborative finance team environment and opportunities for professional development in a council

Qualifications

• AAT qualification (or equivalent) or significant accounting experience.
• Experience of working within a finance environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to interpret financial information and present it clearly to different audiences.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience within local government or the public sector would be advantageous, but we also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate transferable skills and a desire to develop their career in finance

Responsibilities

• Supporting budget preparation, monitoring and forecasting activities.
• Producing accurate and timely financial management information and performance reports.
• Providing financial advice and guidance to service managers and stakeholders.
• Supporting the completion of grant claims, statutory returns and year-end accounts.
• Monitoring compliance with financial regulations, policies and procedures.
• Assisting with financial modelling, analysis and business planning activities.
• Contributing to service improvement initiatives and promoting best practice in financial management

Skills

AAT qualification

Finance experience

Communication skills

Interpret financial info

Problem solving

Organisational skills

Local government experience

Job description

Resources

Finance

Accountant

Ref: 001764

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £35,570 - £39,481 per annum (Grade 6)

Hours: 36.66 per week

Location: Spindles Centre, George Street, Oldham, OL11 HDD

Closing Date: Friday 30 October 2026

Interview Date: TBC.

Role Overview:

Are you an ambitious finance professional looking for a role where your work makes a real difference to local communities?

At Oldham Council, we're committed to creating a place where residents, businesses and neighbourhoods can thrive. As an Accountant, you'll play an important role in supporting financial decision-making across the organisation, helping to ensure public funds are managed effectively and that services are delivered within available resources. Drawing on financial information and insight, you'll help managers make informed decisions that support the Council's priorities and deliver positive outcomes for residents.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated finance professional who enjoys working collaboratively, building relationships and providing practical financial support to a wide range of services. You'll be part of a forward-thinking Finance Team that values innovation, continuous improvement and professional development.

What You’ll Be Doing:

As an Accountant, you'll work closely with budget holders, service managers and senior finance colleagues to provide high-quality financial management support across the Council.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting budget preparation, monitoring and forecasting activities.
• Producing accurate and timely financial management information and performance reports.
• Providing financial advice and guidance to service managers and stakeholders.
• Supporting the completion of grant claims, statutory returns and year-end accounts.
• Monitoring compliance with financial regulations, policies and procedures.
• Assisting with financial modelling, analysis and business planning activities.
• Contributing to service improvement initiatives and promoting best practice in financial management.

About You:

We're looking for someone with strong analytical skills, excellent attention to detail and a customer-focused approach.

Key Requirements:

• AAT qualification (or equivalent) or significant relevant accounting experience.
• Experience of working within a finance environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to interpret financial information and present it clearly to different audiences.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience within local government or the public sector would be advantageous, but we also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate transferable skills and a desire to develop their career in finance

This is more than just an accounting role. It's an opportunity to support services that make a real difference to residents while developing your career within a supportive and ambitious finance team. If you're looking for a rewarding role where your contribution matters, we'd love to hear from you.

About Us:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We've identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We're looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours:

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are 'Proud, Ambitious, and Together'' and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years' service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment:

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

If you're an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you've participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under ourGuaranteed Assessment Scheme

Data and Privacy:

For details of how we use your data please see our Privacy Notice

Important Information:

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

Right to Work in the UK from 1st July 2021.doc