Assistant Accountant
Fixed Term / Secondment Opportunity, contract duration - 4 years
Part Time, 0.7 FTE (25.9 hours per week)
£36,937 to £43,455 per annum FTE, £25,855.90 to £30,418.50 pro rata
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing date: 9th November 2025
We’re happy to discuss how the part time hours are worked across the week at interview. Flexible working patterns, including options like 4 longer days or 5 shorter ones, can be considered, provided they meet the needs of the business.
Pleasenote that there will be certain days when you will be required to work to support the team and reporting needs. This role offers a great opportunity to achieve a better work-life balance while contributing meaningfully to our team.
The Role
The Assistant Accountant is responsible for the preparation of high-quality financial advice, information, analysis, returns and challenge to budget holders within People, Policy, Economy and Public Health Services across the financial cycle. This role will specifically support the Connect to Work Programme, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funded initiative aimed at helping disabled people, those with health conditions and people with complex barriers to employment, to find sustainable work. You will be the Finance Contact and will need to deliver timely and accurate financial information, support, and advice to ensure effective management of the grant funding, their budgets and assist them in carrying out their financial duties in line with the funding requirements alongside internal financial reporting requirements.
You will support the Management Accountant in consolidating financial reporting to Heads of Finance and Functional Leadership Teams across the financial cycle and actively participate and contribute towards projects.
You will build effective relationships with internal budget holders and external partners and be able to influence, contribute and challenge at budget holder meetings to ensure financial forecasts and future budget plans are based on robust financial information.
You will be an AAT qualified professional with strong technical, excel and systems knowledge to actively contribute and support/instruct/advise budget holders in accordance with Financial Regulations and accounting standards.
The Experience You Will Bring
* Minimum full AAT qualification or equivalent plus one years experience
* Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area
* Knowledge and understanding of financial management, financial planning and management for budgets and experience of providing financial advice to budget holders
* Experience of working with a range of financial systems and processes
* Advanced Excel skills
* Evidence of working collaboratively and engaging with Senior Managers and finance colleagues, together with good communication skills
* Experience of working in a large complex organisation and contributing to change
* Experience of supporting multi-disciplinary teams to achieve service outcomes
To read more about us please visit: Corporate Services and Transformation
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, were committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyones Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Governments devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. Were committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. Were also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once youve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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