About the Role
Our finance team plays a central role in ensuring the council runs well, and we’re looking for two experienced accountants to join us at a senior level. You’ll be leading accountancy support to a directorate or group of services, managing a team, and acting as deputy to the Service Manager when needed.
The Two Roles
The technical post covers the full range of local government accountancy: budgets, forecasts, final accounts, recharges, with a particular emphasis on collection fund accounting.
Capital & VAT post covers capital accounting and VAT, alongside the broader senior accountancy responsibilities. You’ll need a solid grounding in both areas and an appreciation of how they interact with the council’s overall financial position.
Please indicate in your application which post you’re applying for, or if you’d be happy to be considered for either.
What You’ll be Doing
* Leading the closedown activity for your respective area to ensure the council can complete its draft financial statements within the statutory timeframe and liaising with audit when necessary.
* Providing accounting, budgetary and financial support to a directorate or group of services.
* Managing a team – including performance reviews, development conversations, and day‑to‑day oversight.
* Deputising for the Service Manager, including attending committee meetings and producing reports.
* Overseeing all accounting arrangements for your services to ensure compliance with accounting standards, CIPFA guidance and legislation.
* Providing financial advice and direction to senior managers and elected members.
* Acting as financial adviser to panels and boards as assigned.
* Contributing to budgeting, monitoring and final accounts cycles.
* Identifying and raising financial risks and issues with the management team.
* Supporting process improvement and cross‑team working.
* Getting involved in major financial projects, including efficiency reviews.
About You
You’ll be fully qualified with a CCAB body and have experience leading a finance team in a complex environment. You’re used to working with senior managers and elected members, translating financial information into something they can act on, and holding your own when the conversation gets challenging.
You’ll know local government accounting inside out, the Code of Practice, the legislation, the deadlines, and you’ll be comfortable managing competing priorities across a busy team. For the Capital & VAT post, relevant experience in those areas is important.
Essential Requirements
* Full membership of a CCAB body.
* Evidence of ongoing CPD and its benefit across a portfolio of work.
* Experience of leading and developing a finance team.
* Experience of supporting managers to build financial management skills and manage budgets effectively.
* Detailed knowledge of local government accounting legislation and best practice.
* Detailed knowledge of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.
* Sound understanding of financial management principles.
* Confident with financial systems, accounting software and spreadsheets.
* Strong communication, influencing and negotiating skills.
* Able to manage and reprioritise work across a team in a dynamic environment.
Further Information
This is a fixed term contract for two years.
At Dorset Council we value flexible working. This is a hybrid role with much of the work able to be done remotely, with occasional travel to County Hall, Dorchester, and other locations as required.
Diversity and Inclusion
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.
This role is UK‑based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.
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