Group Accountant - Collection Fund

Bristol City Council; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol City Council's Accounting & Technical team is seeking an experienced local government accountant to lead Collection Fund accounting, NNDR returns and related financial reporting on a 12-month fixed-term basis.

You will manage business rates and council tax accounting, produce forecasts for medium‑term planning, and provide specialist technical advice to senior stakeholders across Finance and Revenues & Benefits.

Qualifications

• Full or Part CCAB or equivalent qualification. If part qualified you'll need to commit to completing the qualification whilst in the role
• Experience of analysing, interpreting and presenting financial management to people who manage budgets
• Ability to establish excellent working relationships with colleagues and customers

Responsibilities

• Leading the Council's Collection Fund accounting function
• Preparing statutory returns and disclosures
• Producing forecasts and financial analysis to support medium-term financial planning
• Providing specialist advice on Collection Fund legislation and accounting requirements
• Leading responses to Collection Fund audit queries
• Coordinating work across Finance, Revenues & Benefits, preceptors and external stakeholders

Skills

Collection Fund accounting

Business rates & council tax

NNDR1/NNDR3 returns

Forecasting & tax base calculations

Audit support

Technical accounting advice

Education

CCAB or equivalent qualification

Job description

Job description

Full Time, Fixed-Term

Are you an experienced local government accountant with specialist Collection Fund expertise?

A rare opportunity has arisen to join Bristol City Council's Accounting & Technical team as our lead accountant for Collection Fund accounting, statutory returns and associated financial reporting. This 12-month fixed-term opportunity has arisen due to the secondment of the current postholder and would suit an accountant with hands‑on experience of Collection Fund accounting who is looking to further develop their technical expertise within a large and complex authority.

You will take the lead on business rates and council tax accounting, surplus and deficit calculations, tax base processes, statutory returns and year-end reporting. Working closely with colleagues across Finance and Revenues & Benefits, you will provide specialist technical advice that supports key financial decisions and statutory compliance.

What we're looking for

• Collection Fund accounting within a local authority environment.
• Business rates retention and council tax accounting.
• Preparation and submission of NNDR1, NNDR3 and other statutory returns.
• Collection Fund forecasting, tax base calculations and surplus/deficit processes.
• Supporting external audit and statutory reporting requirements.
• Providing technical accounting advice to senior stakeholders.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the Council's Collection Fund accounting function.
• Preparing statutory returns and disclosures.
• Producing forecasts and financial analysis to support medium-term financial planning.
• Providing specialist advice on Collection Fund legislation and accounting requirements.
• Leading responses to Collection Fund audit queries.
• Coordinating work across Finance, Revenues & Benefits, preceptors and external stakeholders.

Why join us?

You’ll work in one of the most specialised areas of local government finance, gaining exposure to complex technical accounting issues while supporting significant financial decisions across the Council and its partners. You’ll be part of a supportive technical finance team and have the opportunity to further develop your expertise in statutory reporting and Collection Fund accounting.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

Additional Information

You can find additional information on the specific opportunities we have on the microsite HERE.

If you have any job specific queries then please contact [e-mail]

This should be no more than two sides of A4, along with a Supporting Statement (with a maximum of 1,000 words) which demonstrates by practical example how you meet the following:

• Full or Part CCAB or equivalent qualification. If part qualified you'll need to commit to completing the qualification whilst in the role
• Experience of analysing, interpreting and presenting financial management to people who manage budgets
• Ability to establish excellent working relationships with colleagues and customers

Applicants are required to have the Right to Work in the UK.

Please note that these roles are subject to a Standard DBS Check.

No agencies please

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the City we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community, and we particularly encourage applicants from women, Black and racially minoritised, Disabled and LGBTQ+ candidates who are currently under‑represented within our service area. Appointments will be made on merit.