Finance Manager - Lyme Regis Town Council

Dorset Council; Lyme Regis; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Lyme Regis Town Council is seeking a Finance Manager to oversee financial affairs, budgeting, and statutory compliance in a dynamic local government setting.

The role covers preparing annual budgets, monthly management reports, year-end processes, VAT, payroll, bank reconciliations, asset registers, procurement, ICT systems, and debt management; strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and Maths, minimum grade C.
• AAT, CCAB part-qualified, or equivalent.
• Three years’ experience of budget preparation, monitoring and year-end closure.
• Experience of working on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of accounting procedures and statutory requirements.
• IT literate and strong numerical, analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the council's annual budget.
• Produce monthly management reports for the management team and council committees.
• Carry out year-end processes, including statutory documents and auditor reports.
• Manage VAT records, bank reconciliations and control accounts.
• Monitor cash flow and financial investments.
• Support procurement and financial governance reviews.
• Develop and monitor financial control systems and ICT requirements.
• Maintain registers of assets, leases and licences; oversee debt management.
• Supervise and develop staff within the finance team.

Skills

Budget management

Financial reporting

VAT & tax compliance

Audit coordination

Supervisory skills

Communication

Education

GCSE English & Maths

AAT or CCAB part-qualified

Degree preferred

Tools

Sage financial systems

Job description

About the role

Job Purpose

• To ensure the town council operates in accordance with accounting procedures and statutory requirements.
• To manage and advise on the council’s financial affairs.

Main Duties

• To prepare the council's annual budget.
• To produce monthly management reports for the management team and council committees.
• To carry out the council’s year-end processes, including the production of statutory documents, working papers for audit, and auditor reports to council.
• To manage the council’s bank reconciliation, VAT records, and other monthly control accounts.
• To monitor and advise on the council’s cash flow and financial investments.
• To assist in the review of financial governance arrangements, including financial regulations and standing orders, procurements, insurance, treasury, internal control and risk management.
• To create procedures for all financial control systems, giving training in their use, monitoring adherence to these procedures, and liaising with the internal auditor as required.
• To review the council’s services to ensure they are delivered efficiently, effectively and economically.
• Managing and maintaining records of the council’s insurances, ensuring the regular review of cover requirements and to processing claims, as necessary.
• Monitor and manage debts.
• The delivery of effective, efficient and economic financial systems: purchase orders and creditors, debtors, general ledger, payroll, and petty cash.
• Support colleagues in delivering service specific systems, e.g. bookings, car parking.
• The development and monitoring or efficient of office systems, including use of software.
• Do document management and records’ storage and to take the lead on procuring and managing suitable IT and IT-related systems.
• To maintain a register of assets, leases and licences and , subject to agreement to manage the undertaking out of associated property transactions such as lease renewals and rent reviews. To head on information communications technology (ICT), ensure currency of the council’s systems, and the effectiveness of its application.
• To advise on and support procurement.

Dimensions

• To undertake other duties communicated with the post.
• To provide other administration support, as directed.

Supervision

• To supervise and develop staff within the finance team.

Contacts

• Members of the public
• Elected members
• LRTC staff
• External consultants and contractors
• Partners or organisations, stakeholders and statutory authorities
• Internal audit

General

• This job description contains the principal duties relating to this post and does not describe in detail all the tasks required to carry them out.
• Duties may vary from time-to-time without changing the character or level of responsibility.

Special Notes Or Conditions

• The post holder will be expected to work occasionally at evenings and weekends.

September 2026

Further Information

Assessment Criteria

Essential

• GCSEs in English and Maths, minimum grade C
• AAT, CCAB part-qualified, or equivalent
• Three years’ experience of budget preparation, monitoring and year-end closure
• Experience of working on own initiative and as part of a team
• Knowledge of accounting procedures and statutory requirement
• IT Literate
• Knowledge of business and administrative procedures.
• Good writing and communication skills
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability supervise and direct others
• Strong team-worker.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own work, that of others, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Instils trust, respects confidentiality, and inspires confidence.
• Ability to develop strong relationships and promote the council’s interests with external organisations.
• Balances assertiveness with flexibility.
• Possesses a ‘can do’ attitude
• Committed to diversity and equality of opportunity.
• Some evening, weekend and bank holiday work.

Desirable

• A degree or relevant professional qualification
• Sage financial systems, and linking Sage financial systems to other systems
• Financial analysis, projections and modelling
• Treasury management
• Experience of managing ICT
• Asset management
• Experience of local government finance and administration
• Internal and external audit
• Understanding of procurement processes
• Performance management systems

About Us

Finance Manager

Full-time

37 hours’ per week

SCP 30-39 (£42,123 - £51,928) with progression beyond SCP 35 being dependent upon the post assuming the Responsible Financial Officer responsibility and the postholder obtaining an appropriate level 4 or higher qualification.

Lyme Regis Town Council is seeking a finance manager to manage and advise on the council’s affairs and ensure the organisation acts in accordance with accounting procedures and statutory requirements.

The role involves preparing the annual budget, management reports, year-end processes, managing VAT records, bank reconciliations, managing IT systems, procurement, maintaining registers of assets, leases and licences, and managing debt.

The successful candidate will have good writing and communication skills, strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, be able to supervise others, work under pressure, and be a strong team-worker.

The closing date for applications is midday Friday 9 October 2026. Interviews are to be held within the following two weeks.