Senior Financial Accountant

Devon and Cornwall Police; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 52,194 - 57,186; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave + 5 extra after 5 years

Competitive salary with yearly raises

Gym membership discounts

Blue Light Card Scheme

Sick pay

Onsite parking

Group insurance scheme

Wellbeing services

Development and training

Flexitime

Hybrid working

Job summary

Devon and Cornwall Police invites applications for a Senior Financial Accountant role. You will lead financial accounting for two police forces from Exeter or Winfrith with hybrid and home-working options.

The role requires a fully qualified CCAB accountant with substantial post-qualification experience and strong leadership and communication skills. You will oversee statutory accounts, capital accounting and treasury activities working with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified CCAB accountant with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience managing and developing teams.
• Knowledge of public sector accounting advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial accounting activities across two police forces.
• Support production of annual statutory accounts and capital accounting.
• Oversee treasury-related activity and statutory returns.
• Collaborate with auditors, actuaries, valuers and senior stakeholders.
• Deputise for Head of Financial Accounting when required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector accounting

Education

CCAB qualification or equivalent

Job description

Salary: Starts at £52,194 rising to £57,186 per annum+ Excellent Benefits including Government Pension

Location: Hybrid Working/Police Headquarters Exeter, Devon or Winfrith, Dorset

Closing Date: 28th August 2026, Midday

Hours per week: 37 per week. Part-time and flexible working patterns considered subject to business need.

The role

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 ability 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.

Structured Interview/Assessment

The shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare and deliver a 10 to 15 minute presentation. Following the presentation, the interview panel will ask a number of questions relating to both the presentation and the candidate’s suitability for the role. The assessment will take place on the same date as the interview.

Hiring Line Manager: Lucinda Hines - Head of Technical Accounting

What you get if you join us:

• 25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees).
• 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.
• 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).