Senior Technical Accountant VAT

Networking Women in the Fire Service; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Technical Accountant VAT to enhance financial processes and systems. This role involves controlling Brigade accounts, preparing VAT returns, and advising on technical accounting issues. You will collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure compliance and drive efficiency in financial operations. Join a dynamic team dedicated to making London a safer city while enjoying a range of benefits, including flexible working options and generous leave policies. If you are passionate about finance and want to contribute to public service, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Flexi-time Scheme

Free access to the Brigade gym

Contributory pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Staff discount scheme

Season ticket loans

Opportunity to access affordable accommodation

Free counselling

Flexible working including work from home 60%

Qualifications

• Recognised CCAB accountancy qualification or part qualified with relevant experience.
• Relevant experience in financial accounting, especially in local government.

Responsibilities

• Control Brigade accounts to trial balance level and assist with Final Accounts.
• Prepare and reconcile monthly VAT returns ensuring compliance with VAT laws.

Skills

Financial Accounting

VAT Compliance

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Technical Accounting Knowledge

Education

CCAB Accountancy Qualification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Post: Senior Technical Accountant VAT
Grade: FRS E
Salary range: £45,485 – £54,332 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: 4 PM on Friday 02 May 2025

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s Fire and Rescue Service, one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city, protecting and serving 8.6 million Londoners. Our vision is to be a world-class fire and rescue service for London, Londoners, and visitors.

We employ over 5,500 people, across our operational teams (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer 999 calls), and our non-operational teams (who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services).

It’s an exciting time here at LFB Finance as we implement new systems and drive forward process improvements, supporting the wider organisation to deliver high quality financial capability. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated finance professionals to join the team and make a positive contribution to service delivery.

We are transforming the finance function to improve our processes, systems, and operations, including the implementation of a new finance and purchasing system (SAP). You will help us deliver a high-quality finance service across LFB, ensuring streamlined processes, appropriate controls, and driving value for money in everything we do. Success in this role will require collaboration with various stakeholders across the organisation as a trusted partner, utilising your skills and experience to support LFB operations.

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the London Fire Brigade for a Senior Technical Accountant VAT.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Control and monitor all Brigade accounts to trial balance level and assist with preparation of Final Accounts, liaising with external auditors.
2. Maintain Treasury Management records and reconciliation of control accounts, HM Revenue & Customs personal accounts, and payroll.
3. Prepare, submit, and reconcile the Brigade’s monthly VAT returns, ensuring compliance with statutory VAT requirements.
4. Manage the Brigade’s Construction Industry Deduction Scheme and maintain the cashflow forecast.
5. Lead and co-ordinate on the Statement of Accounts and assist with statutory returns and financial reconciliations.
6. Provide advice on technical accounting issues, including VAT law, accounting systems, and the closing of accounts process.
7. Support finance projects and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description, salary range or the full advert, please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/alljobs/ to access the full advert.

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

Eligibility
Applicants must have a recognised CCAB accountancy qualification/finalist or be part qualified with relevant experience.

Assessment Overview
Stage 1
To apply, please complete the online application, upload a copy of your up-to-date CV and provide evidence to address the following selection criteria:

1. Qualifications: A recognised CCAB accountancy qualification/finalist or part qualified with relevant experience.
2. Experience: Relevant experience in financial accounting and statement preparation, particularly in local government or public sector finance.
3. Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate complex financial information to non-finance staff.
4. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
5. Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of VAT, accounting standards, and local government financial management.

Please note that we will score the evidence you provide based on the competencies listed in the selection criteria above.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend stage 2.

Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.

Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.

Stage 2
Assessment for this role is due to take place week commencing 19 May 2025. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.

Additional Information
Benefits of working for the London Fire Brigade

1. 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
2. Flexi-time Scheme (which can result in an additional 12 days annual leave)
3. Additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year
4. Family (including maternity) leave and emergency support leave
5. Flexible working including work from home 60%
6. Free access to the Brigade gym
7. Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness advisers
8. Free counselling
9. Season ticket loans
10. Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
11. Contributory pension scheme
12. Cycle to work scheme
13. Staff discount scheme including access to Blue Light Card retail and hospitality discounts
14. Opportunity to access affordable accommodation

In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a Standard criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory.