Senior Accountant

Civic Recruitment Limited; Basildon; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited in Basildon is seeking a Senior Accountant for a 6-month contract with a local authority. The role focuses on budget preparation, financial reporting, and producing statutory accounts, with financial ad Vice to budget holders and senior management to drive performance.

The post requires at least 3 years in a local authority finance setting, AAT or higher qualification, and onsite work for 4 days per week. 36.25 hours weekly; bi-weekly schedule, closes 29 August 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in budget preparation, financial reporting and statutory accounts.
• Experience with capital and revenue accounting and MTFS.
• Onsite local authority finance environment experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the annual budget-setting process by preparing budget estimates in line with corporate guidance and deadlines.
• Monitor revenue and capital budgets, identifying variances, efficiencies, and financial pressures.
• Provide budgetary control and financial performance reporting to senior management and service managers.
• Work closely with budget holders to ensure effective financial planning and resource management.
• Support the development and delivery of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Statutory accounts

Capital accounting

Education

AAT Qualified or higher professional accounting qualification

A-Level standard or equivalent

GCSE English and Maths Grade C/4 or above

Job description

Senior Accountant Civic Recruitment Limited Basildon, ESS, gb

6-month contract with local authority

Summary

• The Senior Accountant will play a pivotal role within a local authority on a 6-month contract. This position is crucial for budget preparation, financial reporting, capital and revenue accounting, and the production of statutory accounts. The role involves providing high-quality financial advice to budget holders and senior management, supporting informed decision-making, driving financial performance, and ensuring the efficient and effective management of the Council's financial resources.

Responsibilities

• Support the annual budget-setting process by preparing budget estimates in line with corporate guidance and deadlines.
• Monitor revenue and capital budgets, identifying variances, efficiencies, and financial pressures.
• Provide budgetary control and financial performance reporting to senior management and service managers.
• Work closely with budget holders to ensure effective financial planning and resource management.
• Support the development and delivery of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Essential Experience Required

• Minimum 3 years' experience working within a Local Authority finance environment.
• Experience in financial accounting, budget monitoring, and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting the preparation of annual accounts and statutory returns.

Essential Qualifications Required

• AAT Qualified or higher professional accounting qualification.
• Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent.
• GCSE (or equivalent) Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics.

Additional Information

• Working hours: 36.25 hours per week.
• Office location: Basildon, Essex.
• Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to be onsite a minimum of 4 days per week.
• We work on a bi-weekly schedule.

The role closes on 29th August 2026.

Full-time