Senior Accountant

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough of Richmond and Wandsworth is seeking two Senior Accountants to join their Corporate Accountancy Team. Successful candidates will handle specialist areas, assisting with the closure of accounts and supporting the improvement of financial management services. The position is ideal for those experienced in Local Government finance or seeking to develop their skills in a supportive environment.

Benefits

40 days annual leave including Bank Holidays

Flexible working hours

Generous pension plan

Qualifications

• Experience in capital accounting is desirable.
• Experience of working in Local Government finance.
• Experience in closure of accounts or treasury.

Responsibilities

• Oversee area of specialism within Corporate Accountancy Team.
• Assist in closing accounts and production of Statement of Accounts.
• Support compliance with reporting requirements and financial regulations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Proficient IT skills

Education

Part/fully qualified CCAB

Fully qualified AAT

Job description

Are you experienced in Local Government Finance? Or are you actively studying or recently qualified and looking for that next step up the accountancy ladder? If yes, you are invited to consider the opportunities we have at the London Borough of Richmond and Wandsworth Borough Council Better Service Partnership.

An exciting development opportunity has arisen to appoint two Senior Accountants in the Corporate Accountancy Team after successful external promotions of previous post holders.

About the role:

As a successful candidate you will be looking after an area of specialism within the Corporate Accountancy Team as detailed below. We would encourage any potential candidates who have an interest or experience in any of these areas to apply however experience in capital accounting is desirable.

The Corporate Accountancy Team’s Function

The team’s primary task is to close the Accounts for both Councils, which includes the production of the Statement of Accounts and assisting the team and wider finance colleagues through the subsequent external audit. The team also has the day-to-day responsibility for capital (strategy and reporting, in year monitoring, and financing), financial accounting, the Collection Fund, a large, combined investment portfolio of £700m, treasury and cashflow management, banking administration, asset accounting, and taxation accounting and advice.

Quality Improvement

The Senior Accountants (6 in total) support and work closely with the Corporate Accountancy Managers (2 in total) plus the Chief Accountant in providing high quality technical work, supporting the ambition to be a high-level technical knowledge hub. The post holders will also support the continuous improvement in the wider Financial Management Service alongside the Director of Financial Management through project work, and the planning and implementation of quality improvement initiatives.

Regulatory compliance

Complying with reporting requirements and financial regulations combined with experience of local authority accounting which is essential. As a member of this technical team, you will have an analytical mind, be a well-developed communicator, be self-motivated and be committed to providing financial data to an excellent standard.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Part/ fully qualified CCAB (or actively studying), fully qualified AAT. If studying the Councils would continue to support this to completion.
• Experience of working within a finance team in Local Government
• Experience of closure of accounts, or capital, or treasury
• The ability to compile and present financial data in way that ensures effective feedback to the stakeholder (i.e. Senior Managers, Auditors).
• Proficient IT skills to use spreadsheets, financial systems and other relevant packages for analysis and presentation.

If any of these qualifications, skills or experience apply to you we invite you to apply for this opportunity today.

Additional information: Our offices are in the Grade II listed building of Wandsworth Town Hall which is centrally located in the heart of vibrant Wandsworth Town. Just a 10 minute bus journey from Clapham Junction, or under a 10 minute walk to Wandsworth Town Station where direct trains are 15 minutes to London Waterloo. The Accountancy Service is currently working between home locations and the office.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing date: Sunday 6th July2025

Shortlisting Date: Monday 7th July 2025

Test/Interview date: Wednesday 16th July 2024 (Wandsworth Town Hall)

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Useful Information

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received.Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are alsocommitted to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers toshare thiscommitment.Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactoryresponse to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan