Principal Accountancy Assistants

Durham County Council; North East; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the North East is seeking two Principal Accountancy Assistants to manage finances and prepare budgets. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in financial management, as well as the ability to lead a team effectively. The role offers a competitive salary and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus additional leave options

Hybrid working flexibility

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience in financial management and operating a financial management system.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team.
• Skilled in managing time and meeting tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Ensure value for money and efficient working.
• Manage staff including supervision and training.
• Prepare detailed revenue and capital budgets.

Skills

Financial management experience

Effective communication

Time management

Adaptability

Education

Association of Accounting Technicians qualification

Tools

Financial Management Systems

Job description

Overview

Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, with a gross budget of around £1.5 billion, helping us provide services to more than 522,000 people.

WHY DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
We are a forward-looking Council with bold ambitions.

The Vision for County Durham is structured around three ambitions:

• More and better jobs
• People live long and independent lives.
• Communities are well connected and supportive of each other.

To achieve those ambitions, we recognise that we need people who share our passion and drive for success and possess an overriding commitment to deliver fantastic services to the people of County Durham.

What are we looking for

We are looking to appoint two Principal Accountancy Assistants on a permanent basis within our large finance function. These vacancies have arisen across Corporate Finance and Commercial Services, encompassing all aspects of financial management. However, appointable candidates from this process will be considered for future appointments within the Finance function over the following six months where applicable.

• Ensure that consideration is given at all times to achieving value for money and the most efficient ways of working.
• Contribute to reviews of the utilisation of financial information systems, and to look for continuous improvements in Financial Management Systems, practices, procedures and processes.
• Directly manage staff including supervision, advice, appraisal and identification of training needs.
• Prepare detailed revenue and capital budgets.
• Contribute towards the development of the service contribution within the County Council Medium Term Financial Plan including identification of budget growth items and deliverable savings.
• Maintain proper budgetary control, forecasting and profiling of all revenue and capital budgets and alignment with appropriate funding sources; to include liaison with project managers, budget holders.
• Prepare detailed working papers and action the close down of all revenue and capital accounts within agreed deadlines.
• Provide financial advice to budget managers on the management of revenue and capital budgets including grants
• Provide advice and guidance on the use of Financial Management Systems and associated business processes.

As a prospective DCC employee you will need to demonstrate the core skills and values required. In order to thrive in this role, you will need to be:

• Experienced in financial management and in operating a financial management system.
• A good communicator and effective team player.
• An effective time manager and able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Independent, and a self-starter with the confidence to take ownership and deliver results.
• Open to change and service improvement.

We encourage you to contact Melanie Slater, Principal Accountant, via email to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

What will I need?

You will need to be fully Association of Accounting Technicians qualified or equivalent relevant qualification and have relevant financial experience.

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

Interviews

Interviews will be held on Monday 20 October 2025.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, a care leaver or a veteran.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
• Hybrid working (home and office working).
• Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
• Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
• Discounted DCC gym membership.
• Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
• Trade Union membership.
• A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

Take a closer look: Rewards and Benefits

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Hybrid working

Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro-rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion, alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and recognise that a diverse, talented workforce brings new ideas and new perspectives, which will facilitate growth and improvements to services. We are committed to ensuring that our employment policies and processes are fair and equitable to all. We welcome job applications from everyone, and successful candidates are considered only on their skills and ability to do the job. As a Disability Confident Leader, we encourage applications from disabled people and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Take a closer look: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

How to apply

In line with the County Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Applications must be submitted on-line via the Northeast Jobs portal. Please use the ‘Person Specification’ section of your application form to demonstrate that you have the essential and where possible, desirable experience, skills, and knowledge. Candidates who do not evidence that they meet the essential qualifications and experience listed on the person specification will not be short-listed.

If you have any support needs or require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27 (option 2), or the Recruitment Team via email at [e-mail]

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