Senior Financial Accountant

Ad Warrior Ltd; Exeter; On-site; GBP 52,194 - 57,186; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Heavily subsidised gym membership

Blue Light Card discounts

Pension scheme

Job summary

Dorset Police is seeking a Senior Financial Accountant to deliver high-quality financial accounting services across its partnerships in Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. The role combines technical accounting expertise with leadership, stakeholder engagement and service development in a high-profile public sector setting.

You will report to the Head of Financial Accounting, guide team performance, ensure statutory compliance, and support capital programmes while operating in a flexible

Qualifications

• Fully qualified CCAB accountant with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Proven ability to produce and interpret complex financial information.
• Experience in managing and developing finance teams.
• Knowledge of public sector accounting and policing finance landscape advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial accounting activities across two police forces.
• Support the production of annual statutory accounts and treasury activity.
• Provide technical guidance to finance colleagues and liaise with auditors.
• Deputise for the Head of Financial Accounting when required.
• Engage with senior stakeholders including CFOs and operational leaders.

Skills

Senior leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector accounting

Problem solving

Team development

Education

CCAB qualification

Job description

Overview

Salary: £52,194 - £57,186 per annum

Location: United Kingdom -England -South West England -Devon -Exeter

Type: Permanent

Salary: Starts at £52,194 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £57,186 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time (37hours per week)

Location: Exeter

Senior Financial Accountant

We are welcoming applications for the role of Senior Financial Accountant with Dorset Police based at the following location(s): Police Headquarters, Exeter, Police Headquarters, Winfrith, Dorset

Join our Alliance Finance Department, a team of around 80 professionals delivering payroll, purchasing and exchequer, and accountancy services across both Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. Based across our headquarters in Exeter or Winfrith, this hybrid role offers regular home working and the opportunity to work alongside colleagues located at your preferred headquarters. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful contribution within a supportive team serving two police forces.

We are seeking an experienced and qualified Senior Financial Accountant to play a key role in delivering high-quality financial accounting services across both forces and the respective Officers of the Police and Crime Commissioners.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Accounting, you will provide senior-level financial expertise, helping to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements while supporting the delivery of robust financial management. The role includes responsibility for supporting the production of annual statutory accounts, overseeing capital accounting and treasury-related activity, managing statutory returns, and working closely with auditors, actuaries, valuers and senior stakeholders.

You will lead financial accounting activities, drive continuous improvement, provide technical guidance to finance colleagues, and support strategic financial planning, including capital programmes and medium-term financial strategies. You will also deputise for the Head of Financial Accounting when required, providing senior leadership support.

This is a new and exciting opportunity for a qualified accountant who enjoys combining technical expertise with leadership, stakeholder engagement and service development within a complex and high-profile public sector environment.

About You

You will be a fully qualified CCAB accountant (or equivalent) with substantial post-qualification experience and a proven track record of producing and interpreting complex financial information. You will possess strong leadership and communication skills, experience of managing and developing teams, and the ability to build effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels. A proactive approach to problem-solving, continuous improvement and organisational change is essential.

Experience of public sector accounting and knowledge of the wider local government or policing finance landscape would be advantageous.

Key Highlights

• Senior leadership role within a collaborative Alliance Finance team.
• Opportunity to influence financial strategy and statutory reporting.
• Hybrid working arrangements available, subject to business needs.
• Work with a broad range of senior stakeholders, including Chief Financial Officers, auditors, and operational leaders.
• Contribute to the financial sustainability and governance of two Police Forces.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact by ensuring strong financial stewardship and supporting the delivery of vital public services across Dorset, and Devon and Cornwall.

What you get if you join us

• A competitive salary with yearly increments.
• Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
• Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one-off payment of £5).
• Company sick pay.
• Competitive local government pension scheme.
• Job related equipment supplied, as required.
• Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
• Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
• Support networks, free Employees' Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
• Development and training opportunities available.
• Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
• Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
• Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).