Group Accountant

BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL; Bath; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking a Group Accountant to lead budget monitoring, forecasting and year‑end activities. You will provide robust financial information, partner with service managers, and drive continuous improvement across the finance function.

The role demands strong technical accounting, analytical skills and the ability to challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels. The successful candidate will hold a professional accountancy qualification (CIPFA, CIMA or

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with CIPFA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Strong technical accounting and financial management skills.
• Excellent communication with non‑finance audiences.
• Proven business partnering experience with stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical and proactive problem solving to support sound financial management.

Responsibilities

• Delivering high‑quality financial advice and support to service areas.
• Building strong partnerships with managers to improve financial performance and value for money.
• Leading budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes.
• Supporting strategic decision‑making through robust financial analysis.
• Contributing to continuous improvement across finance and wider council services.

Skills

Group accounting

Financial analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Business partnering

Communication

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (CIPFA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose - to improve people's lives.

About the Team

Our Finance Team plays a key role in supporting the delivery of high‑quality public services across the organisation. Working closely with senior managers, budget holders and service leaders, the team provides financial insight, challenge and support to ensure robust financial information underpins effective decision-making.

About the Role

We are looking for an ambitious and highly motivated Group Accountant to join our Finance Team. As a trusted finance professional, you will work closely with senior managers, budget holders and service leaders to provide financial insight, challenge and support. You will lead on budget monitoring, forecasting, financial planning and year‑end activities, ensuring that robust financial information underpins effective decision‑making across the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant who enjoys working collaboratively and wants to make a genuine difference within a dynamic local authority environment.

• Delivering high‑quality financial advice and support to service areas.
• Building strong partnerships with managers to improve financial performance and value for money.
• Leading budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes.
• Supporting strategic decision‑making through robust financial analysis.
• Contributing to continuous improvement across finance and wider council services.
• You will hold a professional accountancy qualification (CIPFA, CIMA or equivalent) and have strong technical accounting and financial management skills.
• You will possess excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly and confidently to non‑finance audiences.
• You will have proven business partnering experience, building productive relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels, together with the confidence to provide constructive challenge while maintaining positive working relationships.
• You will also bring strong analytical skills and a proactive, solutions‑focused approach, enabling you to support sound financial management and effective decision‑making across the organisation.
• Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council's at‑risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

If you are a talented finance professional with outstanding communication and business partnering skills, we would love to hear from you.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council? We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at We are a Disability Confident Employer - find out more at The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to a Basic DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.