Financial Accountant

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue; Waingroves; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Family friendly policies

Free car parking

Health & wellbeing

Blue Light discount

Training & development

LGPS eligibility

Job summary

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is seeking a Financial Accountant based at Headquarters in Ripley. The role focuses on closing the Authority's accounts, producing the Statement of Accounts, and providing management accounting support.

It requires practical accounting expertise and strong communication with stakeholders. Public sector experience is preferred, though transfer of private or industry experience is welcomed.

Qualifications

• Experience in an accountancy environment.
• Excellent communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a small team or independently.
• Open to part-qualified applicants with practical technical accounting expertise.
• Public sector experience preferred; transferable experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Closing of the Authority's accounts and production of the Statement of Accounts.
• Liaising with external auditors.
• Providing management accounting support, including budget monitoring.
• Preparation of information relating to Firefighters' Pension Schemes and funding returns.
• Supporting the preparation of medium-term forecasts and budgets.

Job description

Position: Financial Accountant

Contact Type: Permanent

Salary: Up to £60,000* per annum - *the salary includes a market supplement (reviewed after 2 years) base band Grade H, (£47,181- £52,413)

Location: Headquarters, Ripley

Hours: 37 hours per week. Agile working arrangements can be discussed with the successful candidate.

Department: Corporate Financial Services

Closing date: Early applications are encouraged, this role may close once suitable applications are received.

About Us

At Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, we're more than an emergency service-we're a team of over 900 dedicated people working together to make Derbyshire safer every day. Whether it's responding to emergencies, preventing incidents before they happen, or supporting our frontline teams behind the scenes, every role here makes a real difference.

We're proud to be one of the country's top-performing fire and rescue services, recently rated 'Good' in 9 out of 11 areas by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). This recognition reflects the professionalism, progress, and dedication of our people.

With a clear focus on development, we offer continuous learning opportunities for all employees-operational and professional support teams alike-because when our people grow, our Service gets stronger.

We work closely with partners across emergency services, health, and local government to deliver joined-up support where it's needed most. And through it all, we remain focused on what matters: Making Derbyshire Safer Together.

The Role

We're looking for a Financial Accountant to join our Corporate Finance department. This is a busy and rewarding role where your work truly matters. Experience within an accountancy environment and the ability to demonstrate practical technical accounting expertise is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Playing a pivotal role in the closing of the Authority's accounts and in the production of the Statement of Accounts.
• Liaising with external auditors.
• Providing management accounting support, including budget monitoring and budget manager support.
• Preparation of information relating to Firefighters' Pension Schemes and completion of funding returns.
• Supporting the preparation of medium‑term forecasts and budgets.

Required Qualifications and Experience

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and competent individual with experience in an accountancy environment. You will have excellent communication skills, be able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and non‑financial managers and enjoy working as part of a small team as well as on your own initiative.

The role is open to part‑qualified applicants, but you'll need to demonstrate practical technical accounting expertise and experience of producing year‑end accounts. Public sector experience is preferred; however, we welcome applicants with private or industry backgrounds who can demonstrate transferable technical ability.

We will support you to develop a wide skill set, based on a combination of accounting theory and practical work experience needed to give you a platform from which to progress your career in accountancy.

Please see the attached Job Description / Person Specification for more information about this exciting role.

What We Offer in Return

• Flexible working hours
• Family friendly policies
• Free car parking
• Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations
• Employee discount scheme (Blue Light)
• Employee support networks
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme

How to Apply

We are a Disability Confident employer committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service's recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact the recruiting manager, Mark Nash on 01773 305415 or [e-mail].

If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441.