Senior Accountant - 05644

West Berkshire Council; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

Training and development

Local Government Pension Scheme

Family-friendly policies

Discounts

Wellbeing Programme

Annual leave 29 days + 5 after 5 years

Job summary

West Berkshire Council is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our Finance, Property & Procurement Service. Reporting to a Finance Business Partner, you will provide high-quality financial management support across Council services and help budget managers make informed decisions while ensuring compliance and robust financial controls.

This role combines technical accounting expertise with business partnering, leadership, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Part-qualified or fully qualified ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Substantial experience in an accounting environment.
• Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting and accounting principles.
• Knowledge of demand-led services and financial modelling.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships with managers and stakeholders.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel to analyse and present financial information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.
• Experience of leading, developing, or mentoring staff within a finance environment is desirable.
• Knowledge of local government finance would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Providing professional financial advice and support to budget managers and service leaders.
• Supporting budget setting, financial planning, monitoring, and forecasting processes.
• Producing accurate and timely management information and budgetary control reports.
• Preparing revenue estimates and supporting the delivery of the Council's budget strategies.
• Supporting the production of final accounts and ensuring robust working papers are maintained.
• Ensuring key financial controls, reconciliations, and statutory returns are completed accurately and on time.
• Supervising and supporting Accountants and Assistant Accountants, helping to develop skills and maintain high-quality standards.
• Driving continuous improvement and identifying opportunities to enhance financial processes and systems.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship building

Budgeting and accounting principles

Financial mod/analytical skills

Leadership and mentoring

Managing competing priorities

Education

ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

Are you an experienced accounting professional looking to take the next step in your career within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority?

West Berkshire Council is seeking a motivated and proactive Senior Accountant to join our Finance, Property & Procurement Service. Reporting to a Finance Business Partner, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality financial management support across Council services, helping budget managers make informed decisions while ensuring compliance with financial regulations and maintaining strong financial controls.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys combining technical accounting expertise with business partnering, leadership, and continuous improvement. You will work closely with service managers, support strategic decision-making, and help develop a high-performing finance team that delivers excellent outcomes for our residents and communities.

The role

Key Responsibilities Include

• Providing professional financial advice and support to budget managers and service leaders.
• Supporting budget setting, financial planning, monitoring, and forecasting processes.
• Producing accurate and timely management information and budgetary control reports.
• Preparing revenue estimates and supporting the delivery of the Council's budget strategies.
• Supporting the production of final accounts and ensuring robust working papers are maintained.
• Ensuring key financial controls, reconciliations, and statutory returns are completed accurately and on time.
• Supervising and supporting Accountants and Assistant Accountants, helping to develop skills and maintain high-quality standards.
• Driving continuous improvement and identifying opportunities to enhance financial processes and systems.

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications, skills and attributes

• Part-qualified or fully qualified ACCA/CIMA or equivalent
• Substantial experience working within an accounting environment.
• Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, and accounting principles.
• Knowledge of demand-led services and financial modelling.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships with managers and stakeholders.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, to analyse and present financial information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.
• Experience of leading, developing, or mentoring staff within a finance environment is desirable.
• Knowledge of local government finance would be advantageous.

Our offer to you

A Competitive Salary Alongside a Range Of Benefits Including

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07:00 and 21:00.
• Hybrid working, with 40% office attendance where possible.
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Family-friendly policies.
• A range of local discounts.
• Wellbeing Programme, including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits.
• Annual leave entitlement starting at 29 days plus public holidays, rising by a further 5 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part-time employees).

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career. Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

AI in Applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.