Accountant - Childrens Services

Ambient People; Grays; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Thurrock Council is seeking an experienced Children’s Services Accountant to join the Finance team, reporting to the Finance Business Partner. You will manage the Council's financial position for Children’s Services, partnering with budget managers to set, monitor and report budgets, and identify options to improve financial performance in a demanding service area.

This role suits a qualified or part-qualified accountant with local government finance interest, offering development within a

Qualifications

• CCAB/CIMA (or overseas equivalent), fully or part qualified.
• Educated to degree level, or equivalent.
• Evidence of active continuing professional development.
• Wide understanding of strategic financial planning and budget setting, with effective commercial and financial skills.
• Excellent IT skills, including Excel, Word and MS365.
• Experience of Children's Services finance and an understanding of the complexity, demand pressures and statutory responsibilities within the sector.
• Able to work flexibly, with a minimum of two days per week on-site in Thurrock.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive financial business partnering service to Children’s Services, working with Budget Managers to cost activities and identify areas of potential pressure and savings.
• Anticipate and identify financial issues affecting the service, helping managers ensure net expenditure remains within budget, and escalate unresolved issues as appropriate.
• Contribute to regular monthly review meetings with the business area, challenging and scrutinising monitoring figures.
• Undertake service analysis to support the year-end position and the Council's Accounts.
• Work with the Commercial and Strategic Finance teams to produce robust financial and commercial analysis, including for business cases relating to Children's Services.
• Support Budget Managers throughout budget preparation, monthly monitoring and year-end closure of accounts.
• Advise on the application and interpretation of financial regulations, standing orders and the Council's financial procedures and practices.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement to help Thurrock Council be best in class.

Education

CCAB/CIMA (or overseas equivalent)

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

Excel

MS Word

MS365

Job description

• Responsible to: Finance Business Partner (Children's Services)
• Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time
• Closing Date: 23:59, Monday 14 September 2026

About the Role

Thurrock Council is seeking an experienced Children Services Accountant to join the Finance team. Reporting to the Finance Business Partner, you will play a key role in managing the Council's financial position for Children's Services, working closely with budget managers to set, monitor and report on budgets throughout the year, and to identify options for improving the financial position within a service area that faces significant and often complex demand pressures.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified or part-qualified accountant with an interest in local government finance to develop their career within a supportive and high-performing finance function, contributing directly to outcomes for Thurrock's residents.

Key Service Accountabilities

• Provide a comprehensive financial business partnering service to Children's Services, working with Budget Managers to cost activities and identify areas of potential pressure and savings.


• Anticipate and identify financial issues affecting the service, helping managers ensure net expenditure remains within budget, and **escalate** unresolved issues as appropriate.


• Contribute to regular monthly review meetings with the business area, challenging and scrutinising monitoring figures.


• Undertake service analysis to support the year-end position and the Council's Accounts.


• Work with the Commercial and Strategic Finance teams to produce robust financial and commercial analysis, including for business cases relating to Children's Services.


• Support Budget Managers throughout budget preparation, monthly monitoring and year-end closure of accounts.


• Advise on the application and interpretation of financial regulations, standing orders and the Council's financial procedures and practices.


• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement to help Thurrock Council be best in class.

Person Specification

• CCAB/CIMA (or overseas equivalent), fully or part qualified.


• Educated to degree level, or equivalent.


• Evidence of active continuing professional development.


• Wide understanding of strategic financial planning and budget setting, with effective commercial and financial skills.


• Excellent IT skills, including Excel, Word and MS365.


• Experience of, Children's Services finance and an understanding of the complexity, demand pressures and statutory responsibilities within the sector.


• Able to work flexibly, with a minimum of two days per week on-site in Thurrock.

If you are an experienced Accountant with local government experience, looking to make a significant impact within a forward looking local authority, we would welcome your application.