Assistant Accountant Schools Finance Officer

Bristol City Council; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England seeks an Assistant Accountant to provide financial guidance and support to schools. The role involves preparing budgets, assisting in financial management, and providing training on financial systems. Ideal candidates will have an AAT qualification and strong communication skills, with opportunities for hybrid working arrangements. An excellent rewards package is included.

Benefits

Flexible working and flexitime

Membership of the Local Government Pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of budget preparation and monitoring.
• Experience in supporting financial management in educational settings.
• Demonstrated skills in providing financial advice and support.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of financial information.
• Provide financial and systems advice, training to clients.
• Support the Team Manager in achieving performance indicators.

Skills

Knowledge of school financial policies

Working knowledge of spreadsheets

Excellent time management

Strong communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent relevant skills

Job description

Full Time, Permanent

We are looking to recruit an Assistant Accountant within Schools Finance.

The position involves providing both Strategic financial guidance and support to schools on all aspects of their budget, along with operational support to maintain their accounts.

What will I be doing?

• You will assist and support the Finance Team Manager in the preparation and monitoring of a range of financial information including, for example, annual budgets, final accounts information, grant claims, monthly monitoring information, information for periodic returns and one-off bids.
• You will provide financial and systems advice, training and support to colleagues/clients.
• You will assist and support the Team Manager to achieve individual and team objectives and defined performance indicators. You will also assist in the preparation and completion of a range of financial information to comply with the relevant legislation and the Council's Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
• You will provide financial information on business issues arising from the monitoring of budgets to ensure value for money service provision.
• You will provide advice, training and support to colleagues/clients on financial systems, policies and procedures to resolve problems and meet service objectives and to ensure consistency and understanding. You will also provide financial expertise in a range of projects to ensure that the projects are financially robust and all financial implications are identified.
• The role will also support the overall Year End Accounts processing.

What do I need to have?

• You will have a sound knowledge of school/academies financial policies and procedures, preparing budgets, budget monitoring, directly supporting settings to maintain financial management and control within their accounting system.
• A working knowledge of spreadsheets is essential.
• We are looking for a confident individual, with an AAT qualification or equivalent relevant skills and experience.
• You will have excellent time management and communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.

Please note that this role is subject to a Standard DBS Check. Please note that this role is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our role's hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you'll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below. Please ensure to SUBMIT your completed application.

To be shortlisted for interview you'll need to demonstrate by how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Closing date is Sunday 7 th December, Interviews will be held online on Tuesday 16 th December, please allow up to 1 hour.

Prior to the interview you will be required to complete an EXCEL based time limited (1hr 45 minutes) assessment.

For an informal discussion after reading the job description, please contact Jayne Donovan
[e-mail]
- tel. [phone].

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

The personal information section (including your name) you'll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.