Chief Accountant – Colchester City Council

Essex County Council; Colchester; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking a Chief Accountant for Colchester City Council. This permanent, full-time role involves leading financial services, providing expert advice, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of local government finance, with a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working

Gym, travel and online retail discounts

Excellent training, development and progression opportunities

Attractive pension scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating at a senior level within finance.
• Sound knowledge of local government finance.
• Ability to deliver under pressure and commitment to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert financial advice and support to Council projects.
• Lead financial accounting and reporting functions.
• Manage the production of the Council’s annual accounts.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Treasury Management

Education

Full membership of a CCAB-recognised professional body (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Job description

Chief Accountant – Colchester City Council

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

About The Role

Chief Accountant - Colchester City Council

Colchester City Council

Permanent, Full Time

About The Role

Chief Accountant - Colchester City Council

Colchester City Council

Permanent, Full Time

£49,574 - £61,520 (Market supplement up to £10,000)

Location: Colchester

Closing Date: 28th May 2025

Essex County Council are delighted to be advertising the role of Chief Accountant on behalf of Colchester City Council. To see full job advert and apply, please click HERE.

Colchester City Council is committed to delivering high-quality and accessible services to residents, visitors and businesses. We are a local government authority providing a diverse range of public and commercial services across Colchester, the second largest district in Essex.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key leadership role in shaping the financial future of a forward-thinking, ambitious Council. You will work within a collaborative and supportive environment, where your expertise and leadership will be truly valued and where you can make a real and lasting impact.

About The Role

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Accountant to lead and direct our Technical Team with a strong focus on delivering economic, efficient, effective, and customer-focused financial services, in line with the Council’s strategic objectives and values.

Duties of the role

In this pivotal role, you will provide expert financial advice, information, and support to Council projects, ensuring that all financial implications are fully considered within budgets and forecasts. You will lead the Council’s financial accounting and reporting functions, ensuring robust financial management and full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

As Chief Accountant, you will manage the production of the Council’s annual accounts, maintain the day-to-day relationship with external auditors, support budget planning and monitoring, uphold effective financial controls, and contribute significantly to the provision of high-quality financial advice and insight across the organisation.

Qualifications And Skills Required

We are looking for a forward-thinking finance professional with full membership of a CCAB-recognised professional body (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA) and proven experience operating at a senior level within finance. You will have sound knowledge of local government finance, with strong treasury management knowledge or experience.

A strategic mindset with exceptional financial and business acumen and an understanding of financial systems and an appreciation of risk management is essential.

To succeed you will also have outstanding leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, empower, and develop teams and have the ability to deliver under pressure and be committed to continuous improvement in the delivery of the service.

What We Offer

The Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. You will be entitled to join an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including two extra company holidays during the Christmas period.

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working
• Gym, travel and online retail discounts
• Excellent training, development and progression opportunities
  
  

If you are ready to lead, inspire, and drive excellence in financial management, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Paul Atkinson, Interim Head of Finance at [e-mail] .

How to apply: This role is being advertised on behalf of Colchester City Council therefore all applications must be submitted via the Colchester City Council website . Please note any applications submitted via the Working for Essex ‘apply’ button will be advised to reapply via the Colchester city Council Advert .

• Please click the link to apply HERE .

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Accounting/Auditing and Finance

• Industries

  Government Administration

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