Assistant Accountant – Fixed Term (6 months)
Benefits:
Salary: £33,699 - £38,220 per annum, Grade 4
Hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week
Location – Service Headquarters, Calcot, Reading
Excellent annual leave allowance of 28 days, flexible working, onsite gym, parking facilities and a Local Government Pension Scheme are available
Other information about our benefits can be found here
About the role:
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.
About you:
We’re seeking a motivated and proactive individual who is ready to hit the ground running — ideally someone who is available to start immediately.
To be considered, you must hold a university degree in Finance or a related field and be either AAT qualified (with relevant CPD) or part-qualified under a CCAB-approved body, with relevant experience or equivalent.
The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:
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 close down procedures as directed
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 specialists, reconciliation of the pension figures and production of necessary returns
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.
If you are interested in applying for this position, click Apply Now.
Please see the link to the Job Profile/Person Specification.
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.
For further details about the role please contact Mark Hawkins, Finance Manager at (url removed) to arrange an informal discussion.
If you have any queries about the application process or to discuss any adaptations or adjustments, we can make to assist you in your application or with our promotion process please contact Amanda Gavin at (url removed) or by phone (phone number removed) for an informal discussion.
Please note we do not accept applications via Agencies or CV’s 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.
Please view our privacy notice via this link Applicant Privacy Statement
Our Commitments:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service values your individuality, your diversity and your dignity. All are welcome here. Inclusion, diversity and equality are principles which guide our decisions and will be visible throughout the Service, and we will continually work to improve in these areas.
We are committed to creating an inclusive culture of dignity and trust where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.
Simply: The communities we serve are varied and diverse, we should be too.
Applications are welcome for job-share or part time arrangements please enquire on application.
All applications are considered on merit alone. We are a Disability Confident Leader – if you meet the essential criteria of the role, you will be guaranteed an interview if you choose to opt into the Offer of an Interview Scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme)