Job Description

Accountancy Assistant 2 year fixed term contract
Salary: 313,821 - 314,637
Hours: 20 hours per week. Hours need to be worked over 4 mornings, 2 in the office and 2 at home. One office day must be a Tuesday.
About the role
The Accountancy Assistant role provides support for the Accountancy team.

• Assist the Senior Accountant in the preparation of the annual budget and closing of the accounts for the services by preparing working papers (e.g. actuals & budget book, virements and planned underspends), printing reports and looking up information and analysing this as appropriate, in order that these activities are carried out to a good standard and produced on time.
• Assist the Accountancy team on an ad hoc basis with journals and other tasks.
• Assist in the budgetary control process by producing and distributing monthly reports from the Total Finance system undertaking detailed analysis of any major variations as directed to provide Budget Managers with the information required to manage their budget.
• Enable service costs to be easily and accurately reported by maintaining an up-to-date code list for the services that allows financial information to be collected and reported effectively.
• To assist the Accountants in the preparation and submission of returns to Central government. This will help the authorities resilience plans by ensuring that a second officer is familiar with the returns and the governments new DELTA system.
• Carry out change and amendments to the staff intranet Via Jadu system.

About you
Knowledge

• General Administration and financial software knowledge
• Double entry Bookkeeping
• Understanding of Financial and Management Accounting

Skills and Experience

• A minimum of three years working in a finance environment
• Well versed in using the Microsoft Office suite of applications including Word, Excel, MS Teams and Outlook
• Demonstrate a high degree of numeracy and accuracy
• Confident with using figures and has the ability to collect, understand and interpret information and explain the meaning of figures in a clear way to non-finance staff and other stakeholders
• Ability to understand, analyse and interpret financial data and present it in a format suitable for reporting
• Able to review and proof-read documentation effectively to check for completeness and accuracy
• Ability to develop the potential of IT packages
• Ability to work accurately and methodically to deadlines.
• Able to cope with competing demands and multiple deadlines
• Able to organise own workload and work independently
• Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Honesty and integrity in handling personal financial information.
• Ability to work co-operatively and willingly with others, supporting colleagues and sharing workloads.
• Calm under pressure
• Ability to work accurately to a high level of detail

Training and Qualifications

• Studying towards full membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) or equivalent
• Five GCSE or O levels or equivalent including Maths and English

About Runnymede
Runnymede is an ambitious, passionate, and progressive council with a forward- thinking attitude and award-winning departments. As a Borough Council, we are committed to our four core values and goals which we demonstrate through our ongoing policies and projects. We are always keen to improve our services and welcome innovative and proactive individuals who are open minded and have a positive approach in supporting our vision.
The Financial Services Department ensures the Council carries out its financial affairs in a fair, proportionate, and professional manner, by providing clear financial and strategic advice to all stakeholders whilst adhering to statutory and professional regulations in the dealing and reporting of all financial transactions.
As well as the day-to-day activities of a busy finance department, the team are very much embroiled in many of the various projects and initiatives set out in the Corporate Business Plan from participating in service reviews, assessing benefits packages, and assisting in reviewing and developing new policy creation. In all initiatives, the team ensure the financial consequences of decisions are planned, analysed and are robust and financial governance procedures are adhered to.
Benefits

• Hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home
• Flexible working and Flexi-leave
• 28 Days annual leave, plus 8 days bank holidays and 1 extra day at Christmas
• Excellent Pension Scheme, including access to an Additional Voluntary Contributions
• Free Parking
• Training and development opportunities
• Payment of one professional membership per annum
• Cycle to work + further related discounts
• Season ticket loan
• UK Healthcare plan after 1 years service
• Dental insurance plan after 3 years service
• Mileage allowance

How to apply
To apply for this vacancy, click the Apply Online link.
We are passionate about building an inclusive and diverse workforce and we welcome applications from candidates with a variety of backgrounds, skills and abilities. If it is difficult for you to apply online, please contact Human Resources at or on 01932 425527 who will be able to assist you.
For an informal chat about this role please contact Samantha Cooper, Senior Accountant on 01932 425337 or sam.cooper@runnymede.gov.uk.
Closing Date: 18 May 2025
Interview Date(s): 29 May 2025
If you do not hear from us within two weeks from the closing date you have not been successful on this occasion. Thank you for considering Runnymede Borough Council.
Runnymede Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults with care support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be requested to present your identification at the interview stage and there will be several checks conducted during the onboarding process inclusive of an enhanced DBS check for specified roles.