Career grade 7 - 10 Senior Finance Assistant

Cheshire West and Chester; Ellesmere Port; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Cheshire West and Chester Council is offering a full-time Senior Finance Assistant position, focusing on technical accounting tasks and providing vital support to the Technical Accounting and VAT team. This role provides the opportunity for career progression and professional qualification support, making it a great next step for individuals looking to advance in local authority finance.

Benefits

Access to learning and development

Discounts on services

Flexitime

Wellbeing programs

Volunteering and family leave

Flexible working options

26 days annual leave (31 after 5 years)

Local government pension scheme

Qualifications

• Knowledge of financial regulations is essential.
• Confidence in working independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the Statement of Accounts and liaise with auditors.
• Reconcile control accounts as part of the finance team.
• Assist in technical accounting functions.

Skills

Excel skills

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Knowledge of statutory financial reporting

Local authority accounting experience

Job description

The postholder will assist the Technical Accounting and VAT team, whose main responsibilities include the production of the Statement of Accounts, liaising with external auditors, and reconciling control accounts.

This position offers invaluable experience across technical accounting and provides an opportunity to learn about the wider Council finances.

The ideal candidate will have some knowledge of statutory financial reporting requirements and financial regulations, along with experience in local authority accounting.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Career Grade 7 – 10 Senior Finance Assistant to join the Finance Service at Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Council supports individuals in developing skills and competencies to progress their careers. This career grade position allows progression from Senior Finance Assistant (Grade 7) to Finance Officer (Grade 10). The successful candidate will also be supported to undertake a professional accountancy qualification such as CIPFA over 3–4 years.

The role involves assisting the Technical Accounting and VAT team, with responsibilities including preparing the Statement of Accounts, liaising with auditors, and reconciling control accounts.

This role provides broad experience in technical accounting and insight into Council finances.

The ideal candidate will possess some knowledge of statutory financial reporting, financial regulations, and local authority accounting experience.

You should be a confident communicator, capable of working independently and in a team. Strong Excel skills, data analysis, and problem-solving abilities are essential. The candidate should be able to work under pressure and support the team in meeting objectives and deadlines.

The role is full-time, 37 hours per week.

Location: Agile Worker – primarily working from home with occasional travel across Cheshire West and Chester.

Benefits include access to learning and development, discounts, flexitime, wellbeing programs, volunteering and family leave, flexible working, 26 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 5 years), and the local government pension scheme.

The closing date for applications is 20th July, with interviews scheduled for the week commencing 4th August.

For an informal discussion, please contact Catrin Evans, Finance Manager – Technical Accounting and VAT, at [e-mail].