Assistant Accountant (x2)

Folkestone & Hythe District Council; Folkestone; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Folkestone seeks an Assistant Accountant to support budget preparation and provide financial analysis. Ideal candidates should possess a financial qualification or relevant experience, excellent communication skills, and a team-oriented attitude. Benefits include flexible working, generous leave, and health & wellbeing initiatives. Applications close on 10th October 2025.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Generous leave including 31 days holiday

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions

Qualifications

• Financial qualification or recent and relevant experience that demonstrates finance proficiency.
• Experience of computerised financial information systems.
• High attention to detail and a proactive, team-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Support budget preparation, monitoring, and final accounts.
• Prepare statutory returns, reconciliations, and control accounts.
• Provide financial advice and analysis to budget holders.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Team-oriented approach

Education

Financial qualification or relevant experience

Tools

Computerised financial information systems

Job description

Overview

Employer: Folkestone & Hythe District Council
Salary: Grade E (£32,103 - £36,389 per annum)
Location: Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QY / Flexible
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Yes
Closing Date: 10/10/2025 at 23:59
Reference: GF01/25/322893

Are you an ambitious, detail-oriented finance professional looking to take the next step in your career? Whether you're part-qualified or an experienced Assistant Accountant, we want to hear from you. Join our dynamic Finance Team at Folkestone & Hythe District Council and play a key role in delivering high-quality financial support across a range of services and projects.

There are two Assistant Accountant roles available, supporting Finance, Strategy & Resource and Housing & Operations. If you have a specific interest in either of these areas, please make this clear in the Supporting Information section of your application.

Key Responsibilities

• Support budget preparation, monitoring, and final accounts.
• Lead on financial aspects of assigned service areas and council-wide projects.
• Prepare statutory returns, reconciliations, and control accounts.
• Provide financial advice and analysis to budget holders and service managers.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors and board members.

Candidate Requirements

• Financial qualification or recent and relevant experience that demonstrates finance proficiency.
• Experience of computerised financial information systems.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to analyse financial data and present to non-financial recipients.
• High attention to detail and a proactive, team-oriented approach.
• Experience in local government finance is desirable but not essential.

Why Join Us?

Benefits

Folkestone & Hythe is a dynamic and innovative place to live, work and visit. Recognised by Best Companies as an outstanding organisation to work for, we have a focus on wellbeing and staff development. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working: Embrace a culture that supports agile and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous Leave: Enjoy up to 31 days of holiday plus bank holidays, a flexi-time scheme, birthday leave, and Christmas office closure.
• Pension Scheme: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Family-Friendly Initiatives: Benefit from a range of family-friendly policies and support.
• Health & Wellbeing: Participate in health and wellbeing initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Additional Perks: Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions, salary sacrifice schemes, corporate membership discounts, and free office parking.

Closing date for receipt of all completed applications is 23:59 on Friday 10th October 2025.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Monday 20th October 2025.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Jonathan Smith - Chief Officer, Financial Services (Deputy s151). Email: , Tel: [phone]

How To Apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Further information on this vacancy

• Assistant Accountant JDPS

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