Job Description

Salary

Up to 48,245.00 per annum + 5,000.00 market supplement

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Date posted

24/10/2025

Job reference

COLREQ01542

Contract type

: Permanent

Responsible to:

Deputy Section 151

Please note this vacancy may close at any time, once sufficient applications have been received, therefore early submission of your application is encouraged.

Purpose of job:

To support the Deputy S151 in leading and directing the Corporate Finance team, ensuring work is carried out in the most economic, efficient, effective, and customer-focused manner, in alignment with the Council's strategic objectives, goals, and behaviours.

The Deputy Chief Accountant will provide support to the Deputy S151 in the delivery of the organisation's end-to-end closedown process. The post holder will lead:

the closedown process; and the non-capital side of the Statement of Accounts

Responsibilities

Acting as lead for the organisation's closedown process, including setting the timetable, engaging with stakeholders across the organisation, implementing soft close, and coordinating working papers. Overseeing closedown activities, including reviewing and completing accruals, reversals, reserve drawdowns and provisions. Leading on and taking ownership of the non-capital side of the Statement of Accounts and working with the Head of Finance (Capital) to produce the Statement of Accounts. Coordinating and managing the grants register. Ensuring integrity of financial information and compliance with audit requirements. Leading on engagement with the organisation's external auditors, and coordinating the progress of audit, including responses to audit queries. Feeding financial reports to Committees, for example, in relation to external audit progress and the Statement of Accounts. Coordinating ledger control and ensuring that an effective process for cyclical review is in place. Coordinating balance sheet reconciliations. Assisting with the production and presentation of complex and diverse financial information to members and other senior stakeholders that informs service and corporate decision-making. Undertaking specialist project work of a complex nature, preparing reports, representing accountancy services on working groups, including some external groups, and providing financial management and related expertise as and when required.

Person Specification

What we expect you to have:

Full membership by examination of a CCAB recognised body (eg CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA)

What we hope that you have:

Have experience in a similar role in another Local Authority

For more details on this role please visit our dedicate microsite for this campaign -

https://www.ambientpeople.co.uk/colchester-city-council/

If you would like to discuss the role please contact Tim Salmon -

colchester@ambientpeople.co.uk

/ 07355624693

To

apply for this vacancy

, please visit the Ambient People website here.

Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.