Overview
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking an Assistant Accountant to join our dynamic Finance and Procurement team. In this key role, you’ll help deliver high-quality financial accounting services across the organisation, as well as to our partners and external stakeholders. You will play a key role in interpreting financial regulations, providing insightful analysis and guidance, and supporting strategic decision-making to help the organisation achieve its goals. Reporting to the Finance Manager, you’ll be expected to take a proactive approach to risk assessment and resource optimisation.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a respected public service provider that prioritises the development and wellbeing of its employees. We offer flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, alongside a supportive and collaborative working environment.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
* Assisting in preparation for and transition to a new outside payroll provider for RBFRS
* Checking of requisitions for purchases, checking accounting entries, performing reconciliations, assisting with the weekly payment run and other accounting functions
* Processing of mileage and expenses claims and use of procurement cards – using Certify
* Monthly balance sheet reconciliations (including fixed assets) and other month-end activities
* New supplier set ups and monitoring/updating
* Assisting in the weekly payment run procedures
* Accounting for the pension schemes of RBFRS, including liaising with outside Budget planning and budget monitoring at month-end and year-end
Key role requirements (knowledge, skills and experience)
* University Degree relevant to Finance, or part-qualified (CCAB recognised) with relevant experience (or equivalent)
* Competent in Microsoft 365 and Accounting Systems. Knowledge or use of Technology One would be very helpful but not essential.
* Good written and oral communications.
* Experience of pension funds and payroll and accounting for them
* Experience of mileage and expense claims and use of procurement cards (using Certify would be an advantage)
* Knowledge and experience of BIK, employment taxes and VAT
* Working to tight deadlines and prioritising workloads
Application and selection process
The successful candidate will demonstrate and promote behaviours in line with the Job Profile/Person Specification and our Behaviour Competency Framework as attached. The Behavioural Competency Framework allows us to easily identify the behaviours that drive successful performance and enables us to deliver an effective service. The behaviours detailed within the job profile will be assessed throughout the selection process.
Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification on application.
Appointment is conditional upon undertaking a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Rechecks will be required in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.
Important notices
Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CVs without an accompanying application form.
Closing date for applications is 17:00 hours on 30 October 2025.
It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run week commencing 3 November 2025.
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