Group Accountant

NPT Pass; Port Talbot; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Employee Assistance Programme

LGPS with 15.3% employer contributions

Discounted gym membership

Excellent development opportunities

Job summary

Neath Port Talbot Council is seeking a Group Accountant to lead a finance team within Financial Services. You will provide high‑level financial management, strategic advice across service areas, and support managers and senior leaders to make well‑informed decisions.

The role covers financial planning, budget monitoring, statutory accounts, grants and governance. You will collaborate with colleagues across the Council and external bodies such as Audit Wales, ensuring value for money through

Qualifications

• Full CCAB membership is required.
• At least two years’ experience in a senior financial role.
• Experience of preparing budgets and final accounts.
• Ability to present complex financial information to managers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop a finance team.
• Provide professional advice on budgets, governance and regulatory changes.
• Carry out medium-term financial planning for designated services.
• Prepare and present financial information, reports and variance analyses for managers and senior leaders.
• Work with service managers, auditors and external bodies.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and value for money using data and technology.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Financial planning

Presentation of financial information

Leadership

Education

CCAB membership

Job description

Details of the job are provided below. Further information is available in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Job details

Job reference REQ06004 Date posted 08/10/2026 Application closing date 08/11/2026 Location Port Talbot Civic Centre Salary £54,143 - £56,293 Per Annum Package Generous holiday entitlement, Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme with 15.3% employer contributions, discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure and excellent development opportunities Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Finance Attachments Group Accountant JD & PS - Revenue.docx Reasons to work for NPTCBC.pdf

Your workstyle will be a mobile hybrid worker in this role which gives you the flexibility to work from home and from a variety of Council workplaces.

Are you a qualified accountant who enjoys combining technical expertise, leadership and practical problem-solving? We are looking for a Group Accountant to join Financial Services at Neath Port Talbot Council. You will lead a finance team and provide high-level financial management and strategic advice across designated service areas, helping managers and senior leaders make well-informed decisions.

This is a broad and rewarding role spanning financial planning, budget monitoring, statutory accounts, grants and governance. You will work with colleagues across the Council and engage with external organisations, including Audit Wales and funding bodies.

A place to grow your professional career, Neath Port Talbot Council is an ACCA Approved Employer for Professional Development. You will have plenty of opportunity to maintain and expand your CPD through role-specific learning, professional updates, webinars, conferences, mentoring, leadership development and experience across a varied local government finance portfolio. Development needs are discussed through regular performance and personal development conversations, so support can be tailored to your role and career goals.

As a Group Accountant you will:

• Lead, support and develop a finance team, promoting a high-quality and customer-focused service.
• Provide clear professional advice on complex financial matters, including budgets, grants, governance and regulatory change.
• Carry out medium-term financial planning, budget preparation and monitoring for designated services.
• Prepare and present financial information, reports and variance analysis for managers, senior leaders and scrutiny members.
• Work constructively with service managers, auditors, government organisations and other partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and value for money, using modern technology and data effectively.

You will join a supportive finance service where your advice has a visible impact and where learning, professional development and continuous improvement are actively encouraged.

About you:

You will be a credible and approachable finance professional who can turn complex information into clear advice. You will be comfortable balancing strategic priorities with accurate delivery, developing others and working collaboratively across service boundaries.

You will need:

• Full membership of a CCAB accountancy body.
• At least two years’ experience in a senior financial role involving financial management, budgeting and financial planning.
• Experience of preparing and coordinating budgets and final accounts in line with professional standards.
• Experience of providing professional financial advice and presenting complex or sensitive information to managers and other stakeholders.