Service Accountant: Budget & Financial Strategy

Cornwall Council; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Defined benefit pension

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing programme

Employee discounts

Job summary

Cornwall Council is seeking a Service Accountant to lead budgeting and financial management across the Council. You will support budget setting, monitoring, reporting and closure of accounts, and advise on robust financial controls.

Building strong relationships with budget managers and the wider finance team will be key to maintaining effective financial governance. You will present financial information clearly to non-financial managers, support major projects, and contribute to ensuring

Qualifications

• CCAB qualification or significant relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in a similar role.
• Strong understanding of medium-term financial planning and forecasting and budgeting processes.
• Ability to provide financial advice on standards, closure of accounts, and financial modelling.
• Ability to ensure a commercial approach to provide financial considerations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-financial managers.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Produce accurate budget reports and attend budgetary control meetings with clients, focusing on more complex areas across the Council.
• Collaborate with client services to identify, quantify, and elevate significant financial issues.
• Lead and attend strategic meetings with business reporting managers and client departments.
• Establish and review arrangements for ensuring data security and accuracy within the Council’s electronic financial management system.
• Ensure in the Council’s annual budget setting process reflect corporate objectives and priorities within timeframes.
• Ensure the completion of the Council’s final accounts and external reporting requirements are met on time and in line with standards.
• Support major projects, capital schemes, and business opportunities to ensure they align with corporate objectives and are financially robust.
• Deliver financial training to key stakeholders.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development to Management Accountants and Accounting Technicians

Skills

CCAB qualification

Budgeting expertise

Stakeholder management

Financial modelling

Communication skills

Job description

Cornwall Council is seeking a Service Accountant to lead budgeting and financial management across the Council. You will support budget setting, monitoring, reporting and closure of accounts, and advise on robust financial controls.

Building strong relationships with budget managers and the wider finance team will be key to maintaining effective financial governance. You will present financial information clearly to non-financial managers, support major projects, and contribute to ensuring