Senior Accountant

Isle Of Wight Council; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council is seeking an enthusiastic Senior Accountant to support their Finance Team. This permanent, full-time office-based position promotes collaborative work and requires either AAT qualifications or equivalent experience. The role involves delivering expert financial advice, managing key accounting processes, and supporting the Directorate Management Team. Benefits include 32 days of annual leave and various discounts.

Benefits

Annual leave entitlement of 32 days

Local Government pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Relocation scheme of up to £8,000

Qualifications

• Must have experience supporting financial planning and budgeting.
• Experience in financial risk management is preferred.
• Strong leadership skills to manage the accounting team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high quality expert advice and insights to the management team.
• Support medium-term financial planning and budget strategies.
• Lead key accounting processes including budget setting and financial reporting.
• Act as a point of escalation for complex accounting issues.

Skills

AAT qualified or part qualified accountant

Experience in business partnering

Management accounting experience

Effective communication

Education

Studying towards an accounting qualification

Job description

Contract type Permanent

Hours Full-time

Department Management Accounting-Community Services

Salary Grade 11, £44,209 to £47,107 per annum

Contact Ann Barber on 01983 821000 ext. 6312

Reference 2025_1574

Location County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight

Closing date 08 December 2025

Download Job Summary

37 hours per week

This role is office-based; however, it also offers some agile or remote working.

The Isle of Wight Council has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Senior Accountant to join our Finance Team supporting the Communities Directorate. This permanent position is well suited to an individual who is either AAT qualified, a part qualified accountant or studying towards an accounting qualification with experience of working in a business partnering or a management accounting role in a complex environment.

The Finance Team is an extremely supportive, collaborative team where effective communication is essential, commitment to providing a quality service is expected and new ideas for improvements are welcomed. For more information about this role please see the job summary.

About the role

• As a Senior Accountant you'll work as a trusted adviser to Directorate Management Team - delivering high quality expert advice and insight that shapes decisions and drives robust financial management. Your focus will be on adding value, supporting transformation, and managing financial risk in alignment with council priorities.
• Support the Senior Finance Business Partner in medium-term financial planning, scenario analysis and development of budget strategies
• Support on key accounting processes including budget setting, financial reporting, monitoring, and closing of accounts.
• support the Directorate Management Team and Budget Holders on all financial matters including budgets, efficiency programmes, value for money and management reporting.
• Lead the accounting team and act as a point of escalation for complex accounting issues.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Ann Barber on 01983 821000 ext. 6312

Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

Find out more about working for the Isle of Wight Council and living on the Island.

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;

unacceptable behaviour policy

employee code of conduct

our values, culture and inclusivity

The Isle of Wight Council's Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via [e-mail] if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.

For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone [phone] or email [e-mail] Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.

We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.

Please read the Application Guidance Notes before applying. If you are unable to complete this application, email us at [e-mail] or telephone us on 01983 823113

Apply now