Corporate Accountant

The Methodist Church in Britain; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days' annual leave + bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council in Taunton is seeking a fixed-term financial professional to maintain accurate balance sheet accounts within the Corporate Finance team. The role emphasizes monthly reconciliations, supporting year-end statements, and liaising with auditors and budget holders.

Key duties include strengthening controls, improving reconciliation processes, and contributing to finance transformation initiatives. Hybrid working and occasional county travel are available.

Qualifications

• Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent relevant financial qualification.
• Significant experience in balance sheet control, account reconciliation and financial accounting.
• Experience supporting external audit and maintaining high-quality financial documentation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review and maintain monthly balance sheet reconciliations
• Investigate and resolve reconciling differences, aged items and accounting discrepancies
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of key balance sheet areas, including debtors, creditors, inventories, payroll, Collection Fund, Housing Benefit, rent and reserves
• Support year-end accounts and statutory financial statements with balance sheet evidence and working papers
• Liaise with budget holders, finance colleagues and auditors on accounting queries
• Strengthen financial controls, reconciliation processes and governance arrangements
• Contribute to finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives

Skills

Balance sheet control

Account reconciliation

Financial accounting

Education

Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent relevant financial qualification

Job description

This fixed-term post, for two years, sits in the Corporate Finance team at Somerset Council. The core of the work is keeping the council's balance sheet accounts accurate through monthly reconciliations, clearing aged differences and supporting year-end statutory accounts and audit. Hybrid working is offered with occasional travel across the county, and current council staff may apply as a secondment. Visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Prepare, review and maintain monthly balance sheet reconciliations
• Investigate and resolve reconciling differences, aged items and accounting discrepancies
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of key balance sheet areas, including debtors, creditors, inventories, payroll, Collection Fund, Housing Benefit, rent and reserves
• Support year-end accounts and statutory financial statements with balance sheet evidence and working papers
• Liaise with budget holders, finance colleagues and auditors on accounting queries
• Strengthen financial controls, reconciliation processes and governance arrangements
• Contribute to finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent relevant financial qualification

Experience

• Significant experience in balance sheet control, account reconciliation and financial accounting
• Experience supporting external audit and maintaining high-quality financial documentation

Skills & knowledge

• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, financial controls and corporate governance requirements
• Proven ability to analyse complex financial information, identify discrepancies and implement corrective actions
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills

What’s offered

• 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with option to buy additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Health and wellbeing support, including confidential employee assistance
• Paid volunteering opportunities