Support Accountant - Financial Planning

Civic Recruitment Limited; Lowestoft; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bi-Weekly pay

Finance team environment

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited has a great interim opportunity for a Support Accountant within a Local Authority Finance Team in Lowestoft. The role focuses on delivering financial planning support, budget monitoring, forecasting, reporting and year-end activities on a 3-month contract.

You will work in the Financial Planning Team, assisting Finance Business Partners across services, providing clear financial information to non-finance managers and helping deliver robust council budgeting processes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering accounting services within a finance environment.
• Experience supporting budget monitoring and financial forecasting.
• AAT qualified or equivalent with post-qualification experience.
• Experience working in local government or public sector finance.

Responsibilities

• Support Finance Business Partners with revenue and capital budget monitoring.
• Assist with annual budget setting processes.
• Produce financial forecasts and monitor financial performance.
• Prepare and analyse financial reports and management information.
• Support year-end accounts preparation and associated working papers.
• Undertake reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Support reviews of fees and charges.
• Provide financial advice and guidance to service managers and budget holders.
• Assist with Government and statutory returns.
• Support staffing budget exercises, reserve administration, and overhead apportionments.
• Ensure correct accounting treatment of grants and maintain supporting documentation.
• Assist with financial management projects across multiple service areas.
• Support the administration and development of financial systems.
• Help deliver financial awareness and training to non-finance colleagues.
• Support apprentices and junior finance colleagues where required.

Skills

Accounting experience

Excel skills

Communication of financial information

Budget monitoring and forecasting

Education

AAT qualification

Tools

Financial management systems

Job description

Lowestoft, United Kingdom | Posted on 19/10/2026

• City Lowestoft
• Country United Kingdom
• Postal Code NR32

About Us

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

Support Accountant - Financial Planning - 3 Month Contract

Local Authority | 3 Month Contract

Contract: 3 Month Contract ( November 2026 - End of January 2027)

Hours: 37 Hours Per Week (4 Days Per Week Considered)

Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2 Days Per Week On Site

Summary

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Support Accountant to join a Local Authority Finance Team on an interim basis.

Working within the Financial Planning Team, you will provide practical support to Finance Business Partners across a range of service areas, helping to deliver effective financial management, budget monitoring, forecasting, reporting, and year-end activities.

The successful candidate will be able to hit the ground running, supporting budget holders and managers with financial information while contributing to the Council's financial planning and reporting processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Finance Business Partners with revenue and capital budget monitoring.
• Assist with annual budget setting processes.
• Produce financial forecasts and monitor financial performance.
• Prepare and analyse financial reports and management information.
• Support year-end accounts preparation and associated working papers.
• Undertake reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Support reviews of fees and charges.
• Provide financial advice and guidance to service managers and budget holders.
• Assist with Government and statutory returns.
• Support staffing budget exercises, reserve administration, and overhead apportionments.
• Ensure correct accounting treatment of grants and maintain supporting documentation.
• Assist with financial management projects across multiple service areas.
• Support the administration and development of financial systems.
• Help deliver financial awareness and training to non-finance colleagues.
• Support apprentices and junior finance colleagues where required.

Requirements:

• Proven experience delivering accounting services within a finance environment.
• Experience supporting non-financial managers with financial information.
• Good understanding of accounting principles and budgetary control.
• Experience supporting budget monitoring and financial forecasting.
• Strong Excel skills for analysis and reporting.
• Experience using financial management systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
• AAT Qualified with relevant post-qualification experience, or significant experience working at a similar level.
• Local Authority finance experience.
• Public sector finance experience.
• Experience supporting year-end accounts processes.
• Experience producing management reports for senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with revenue and capital budgets.

What's on Offer?

• 3 Month Contract
• 37 Hours Per Week (4 Days Considered)
• Hybrid Working (2 Days Office-Based)
• Bi-Weekly Pay
• Opportunity to support a wide range of Council services.
• Varied role covering budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and year-end activities.
• Supportive Finance Team environment.

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Support Accountant, Assistant Accountant, Assistant Management Accountant, Management Accountant, Finance Officer, Financial Planning Officer, Finance Business Partner Support Officer, or Local Government Accountant.