Accountant

Salford-Council; Swinton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Salford City Council is seeking a management accounting and financial business partnering professional to support budget holders with robust monitoring, forecasting, and insightful variance analysis. You will collaborate with managers to understand financial performance, explain variances, identify risks, and advise on spend and resource decisions.

The role focuses on proactive financial partnering rather than transactional accounting, with involvement in implementing a new finance and

Responsibilities

• Owning budget monitoring, forecasting and reforecasting for assigned service areas
• Producing clear variance analysis, explaining drivers rather than just reporting movements
• Working directly with budget holders to understand spend patterns, pressures, and resource plans
• Challenging assumptions, profiling, and value for money in a constructive and professional way
• Providing forward looking financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions
• Identifying emerging financial risks early and supporting managers to take corrective action
• Supporting continuous improvement, including the implementation of the new finance and procurement system

Job description

About Us

At Salford City Council, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for our community. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation drives everything we do. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact. Our Finance Department plays a pivotal role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of our operations. We take pride in our collaborative approach, working closely with all departments to provide strategic financial guidance and support. You will play a crucial role in supporting the objectives of the Finance Team in building relationships, maintaining value for money and coming up with new and innovative ways of working.

We believe in continuous improvement and professional development. We are currently implementing a new finance system to streamline our processes and enhance our efficiency. This is an exciting time to join us, as we embark on this transformative journey.

About the Role

This post is firmly focused on management accounting and financial business partnering.

It is not a transactional finance, treasury, or financial accounts role.

The purpose of the role is to support budget holders to manage their resources effectively by providing robust budget monitoring, forecasting, and meaningful variance analysis, alongside constructive challenge and advice.

You will work closely with managers to understand financial performance, explain variances, identify risks, and support decisions about spend and resources.

The core day to day activities will involve

• Owning budget monitoring, forecasting and reforecasting for assigned service areas
• Producing clear and insightful variance analysis, explaining drivers rather than just reporting movements
• Working directly with budget holders to understand spend patterns, pressures, and resource plans
• Challenging assumptions, profiling, and value for money in a constructive and professional way
• Providing forward looking financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions
• Identifying emerging financial risks early and supporting managers to take corrective action
• Supporting continuous improvement, including the implementation of the new finance and procurement system

This role involves regular engagement with nonfinance colleagues and requires confidence in explaining financial information clearly and pragmatically.

This role is not for you if you are primarily looking for:

• Accounts payable or accounts receivable roles
• Treasury or cash management focused positions
• Financial accounting, audit, or statutory reporting led roles
• Roles with limited stakeholder engagement or financial challenge

About You:

If you have a high performing track record of achieving solutions, you’re looking to make a difference and want to be part of a strong team culture we would like to hear from you. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who can operate as part of a team delivering results in support of the wider finance team. You will be proactive, dynamic, motivated and have the drive to meet strict deadlines. You will also have experience in business partnering across finance and non-finance teams; preparing budgets and forecasts; have strong communication skills (both written and verbal); the ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders using a variety of forms of communication and a proactive and enthusiastic individual who will shape the implementation of a new finance and procurement system.

(Desirable) Experience within a public sector finance environment, ideally local government, with an understanding of Adult Social Care.

If you are passionate about finance, we encourage you to apply.

To find out more, please contact Michelle Tsai via m [e-mail]. Please do not send your CV to this email address as it will not be accepted.

Please ensure you describe in your covering letter how your skills and experience meet 'what we need from you'.

Want to know more about Salford?

As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this.

Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You’ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you here!

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