Job description

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who wants to grow their professional accounting career in a supportive and welcoming environment. The following skills and experience are required for this role:

• CCAB qualified accountant or equivalent or working towards full qualification in the next year;
• Experience of working in the public sector, ideally within the local government sector in a finance environment
• Able to work independently and use own initiative;
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail whilst still being able to see the big picture;
• Excellent Excel and information systems skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Experience of working with key stakeholders such as external auditors, actuaries, asset valuers and senior managers is essential.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role is one of three financial accountants that supports the Deputy Chief Accountant in preparing the annual statement of accounts and liaising with external auditors. We are looking for a candidate to become a subject matter expert in capital accounting and be able to support the wider responsibilities of the team with General Ledger Controls and Technical Accounting Code Compliance.

Other duties & responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the delivery of the annual Statement of Accounts in accordance with the CIPFA Accounting Code and the statutory timetable;
• Support the application of financial controls and procedures;
• Liaise with the external auditor, finance colleagues and other Council stakeholders;
• Prepare financial reconciliations, ensuring evidenced working papers are available to support accounting entries;
• Undertaking detailed financial analysis and investigation;
• Advise on the application of technical accounting policies and codes of practice.

We are looking for someone who wants to grow their professional accounting career in a supportive and welcoming environment. The following skills and experience are required for this role:

• CCAB qualified accountant or equivalent or working towards full qualification in the next year;
• Experience of working in the public sector, ideally within the local government sector in a finance environment
• Able to work independently and use own initiative;
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail whilst still being able to see the big picture;
• Excellent Excel and information systems skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills