Service Accountant (Adult Social Care) – AR

Job Details

Connect2Hackney are delighted to announce that we are searching for a dedicated Service Accountant (Adult Social Care) to join our dynamic Finance Directorate.

In this pivotal role, you will act as a key strategic partner to Adult Social Care service heads and operational managers. You will lead on budget monitoring, financial modeling, closedown processes, and statutory reporting for one of the council’s most vital and sensitive spend areas. Your financial insights will directly support decisions that protect and improve the lives of vulnerable residents across our diverse borough.

If you are a proactive finance professional who combines commercial acumen with a passion for public service, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Budget Management

  • Business Partnering: Build strong working relationships with budget holders and senior leaders across Adult Social Care, providing clear, actionable financial advice.
  • Budget Setting & Forecasting: Lead on setting annual revenue budgets, identifying cost pressures, and delivering accurate monthly forecast positions.
  • Financial Modeling: Analyze demand trends, demographic shifts, and care package costs to build robust medium-term financial strategy models.

Accounting & Statutory Reporting

  • Year-End Closedown: Manage the end-of-year accounts process for Adult Social Care in line with CIPFA guidelines and local authority statutory requirements.
  • Grant Management: Oversee government funding streams (such as the Better Care Fund) ensuring strict compliance, audit readiness, and accurate reporting.
  • Reconciliations & Control: Ensure robust internal financial controls, performing routine account reconciliations and variances analyses.

Strategic Advice & Value for Money

  • Transformation Support: Partner with operational teams to evaluate savings proposals, efficiency drives, and service transformation initiatives.
  • Committee Reporting: Draft clear, high-quality financial reports and presentations for executive leadership, governance boards, and council committees.

Who We Are Looking For

Experience & Technical Skills

  • Public Sector / Local Authority Finance: Proven experience in local government accounting, with direct experience supporting Social Care finance strongly preferred.
  • Financial Business Partnering: Proven track record of translating complex financial data into simple, strategic insights for non-finance managers.
  • Advanced Data Skills: High proficiency in financial management software, complex Excel modeling, and data visualization tools.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of CIPFA guidelines, local authority funding structures, and social care legislation (e.g., The Care Act).

Qualifications

  • Professional Status: Fully qualified or final-stage studier (CCAB / CIPFA / CIMA / ACCA), or equivalent demonstrably relevant experience in a senior finance capacity.

Key Competencies

  • Strong Communicator: Ability to influence, challenge constructively, and explain financial jargon to diverse operational stakeholders.
  • Analytical & Solution-Oriented: A sharp eye for detail coupled with the capability to see the big picture and solve complex funding puzzles.

Why Join Hackney?

Working with Hackney Council means being part of an inclusive, forward-thinking organization committed to equality and innovation. We offer:

  • Flexible hybrid working models to support a great work-life balance.
  • Generous local government pension scheme and annual leave allowance.
  • Continuous professional development and career progression pathways.
  • The chance to make a real, visible difference in the local community.