Lowestoft, United Kingdom

Support Accountant

 Job Description:

We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in East Suffolk to assist with the appointment of a Support Accountant, on a 3-month contract, highly likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay: £18.50 - £24.50 per hour

Summary:

The Support Accountant is to provide financial management support, advice, and guidance to Finance Business Partners, Budget Holders, Heads of Service, and Corporate Managers for allocated service areas and projects within the Council. The role involves assisting with budget setting, budget monitoring, financial performance forecasting, and the annual closure of accounts while ensuring delivery to key statutory deadlines and promoting continuous service improvement.

Responsibilities:

  • Support Finance Business Partners with budget monitoring, financial performance forecasting, reporting (Revenue and Capital), and early detection of budget issues.
  • Provide proactive financial management advice, support, and guidance to service areas, including income assumptions and annual reviews of fees and charges.
  • Assist with year-end closure of outturn positions, preparation of working papers, and completion of government/statutory returns.
  • Perform financial reconciliations within required timescales, maintain supporting documentation, and resolve discrepancies.
  • Ensure correct accounting treatment of received grants according to grant determinations.
  • Update training guides, procedure notes, and deliver financial awareness training to non-financial managers, as well as support/train Apprentices and Assistant Accountants.

Qualification:

  • AAT qualified accountant with post-qualification experience (gained in either the public or private sector).

Essentials:

  • Significant and demonstrable finance experience working in a similar role.
  • Proven track record in operational delivery of accounting services and supporting non-financial managers.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting, as well as experience with accounting applications/financial systems.
  • Solid understanding of accounting principles and budgetary control.
  • Strong collaborative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate financial matters clearly to non-financial audiences.

Please note:

  • You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
  • You should have right to work in U.K
  • This role requires an Enhanced DBS

Disclaimer: Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. Your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

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  Required Skills:

Discretion Performance Data Capital Support Financial Management Closure Analysis Returns Reviews Government LTD Forecasting Excel Preparation Data Analysis Accounting Finance Documentation Microsoft Excel Business Training Management