Group Accountant - CMB1947e

Cumberland Council; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking two Group Accountants to lead financial planning and budgeting. This role requires CCAB-qualified professionals with experience in public sector accounting. You will provide management support, facilitate budget monitoring, and contribute to financial systems development. This is an opportunity to make a difference in how public money is used. The position is hybrid, based in Carlisle/Workington/Whitehaven.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Guaranteed interview scheme

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in financial planning and budget management in a complex organization.
• Strong foundation in public sector accounting.
• Ability to provide analysis and advice to senior managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead business partnering, budgeting, and financial planning.
• Monitor revenue and capital budgets.
• Help shape financial systems and contribute to a high-performing finance function.

Skills

Public sector accounting

Financial planning

Budget management

Education

CCAB qualification

Job description

Location:Hybrid (Carlisle/Workington/Whitehaven)

Salary:£65,873 - £68,775 per annum

Closing date:Thursday, 28 August 2025 23:30

About this opportunity

Cumberland Council is a new unitary authority with a bold ambition: to deliver high-quality public services, tackle inequalities, and improve health and wellbeing across our communities.

With strong values, visible leadership and a commitment to doing things differently, we are building a forward-thinking Finance Service that will help shape a better future for Cumberland. As we grow and invest in our team, we're looking to appoint two Group Accountants to lead business partnering, budgeting and financial planning across a range of high-profile service areas.

As a Group Accountant, you'll be the key link between finance and services - ensuring that senior managers, directors and Members have the insight, analysis and advice they need to make confident, informed decisions.

You'll provide support on both revenue and capital budgets, contribute to the development of our Medium Term Financial Plan, and lead on budget setting, monitoring and year-end closure for your area of responsibility. These are strategic, outward-facing roles, focused on partnership, planning and performance.

You'll work closely with budget holders to help them manage resources effectively, deliver change projects, and identify opportunities for improvement. You'll also help shape financial systems and processes, and contribute to the development of a high-performing, customer-focused finance function.

We're looking for two CCAB-qualified professionals with a strong foundation in public sector accounting, and a desire to add value beyond the numbers. You'll bring experience in financial planning, budget management and monitoring in a complex organisation.

We welcome applications from candidates currently working in local government or from across the wider public sector. If you're looking for a role where you can help shape a new authority - and make a visible difference to how public money is used - this could be your next step.

To find out more, please contact Andreas Efthymiou at CIPFA Penna on 0203 849 2771 or at [e-mail] .

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicantsas long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more .

Diversity, Inclusion & AdjustmentsWe're dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That's why we're a proud Disability Confident Employer and also an Age Friendly Employer - to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

Application and Interview Information

This position is managed by Penna to apply for this role please click the link below.

Penna | Job board | Group Accountant

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you're interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council