Job Introduction
We’re seeking an enthusiastic and inquisitive person who will challenge services and processes to ensure good governance and value for money to join our team as a Financial Accountant.
You’ll support the Corporate Finance Team who are responsible for Corporate Accounting, producing the Statement of Accounts and managing our capital programme. We lead on the financial planning and budget setting process, produce financial and performance information for strategic decision making, ensuring we comply with regulatory requirements as well as ensuring our partners deliver and that processes and systems perform as they should.
Our team offers variety and a real opportunity to broaden your finance experience and knowledge whilst being supportive of each other and working closely in a common interest in delivering on time to a high standard. This is a fast-paced area, so you’ll need to be committed, have good attention to detail and the ability to work on conflicting priorities.
In return, you’ll join a dynamic, energised Finance team who are integral to the wider city council services. You’ll have access to an excellent range of in-house training and development opportunities, and most importantly the opportunity to help shape the future of our growing city.

INTERVIEWS FOR THIS ROLE WILL BE HELD ON 24 AND 25 SEPTEMBER.

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Role Responsibilities

• Support the team with the production of the Council Statement of Accounts, including key financial statements, working papers and notes for Auditors.
• Coordinate with the finance teams to prepare the consolidated monitoring position to both senior management and Cabinet.
• Ensure accurate submission of Grant and Statutory returns, ensuring evidence and working papers are accurate and clear.
• Maintain effective financial management systems while identifying ways to streamline processes.
• Provide support on key projects and guidance to Senior Managers.
• Ensure control accounts are accurate and reconciled, perform full balance sheet reviews, and challenge KPIs to support sound financial performance.
• Provide support for VAT returns and queries and offer VAT advice.

Ideal Candidate

• Qualified accountant (CCAB) together with detailed knowledge of CIPFA code of practice and a strong financial accounting background.
• Excellent spreadsheet skills and proven ability to undertake complex financial calculations using different data sets.
• Proven ability to explain complicated and technical information in a manner that can be understood by others with different levels of knowledge on the subject .
• Possess excellent communication skills with proven ability to prepare presentations and report writing including preparation of statement of accounts, cabinet and the scrutiny committees, together with liaison with external stakeholders e.g., external audit.
• Demonstrable experience of financial reporting in a complex organisation which should include some experience in working in a public sector organisation.
• Inquisitive and challenging with the proven ability to apply innovative and creative thinking to service challenges within a fast-paced environment.
• Proven developed skills in inputting, extracting and manipulating data within spreadsheets are essential for this role.

About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances