Service Accountant – AR

Job Details

Job Title: Service Accountant (Social Care / Directorate Finance)

Grade: MG1
Directorate: Resources & Commercial
Division: Finance
Reports to: Finance Business Partner / Head of Strategic & Technical Finance
Location: Dependent on Line Manager

Role Purpose

To provide high-quality, professional financial advice and support to a Council Service Directorate, with a particular focus on Social Care services.

The postholder will lead on revenue and capital budget setting, monitoring, forecasting, and year-end closedown, ensuring compliance with local authority financial regulations and best practice.

The role acts as a strategic finance partner to senior service managers, providing challenge, insight, and assurance while supporting effective decision-making and delivery of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Support

  • Act as the lead finance contact for an allocated Service Directorate (e.g. Adults Social Care, Children’s Services, Housing, or Community Services).
  • Build strong, credible working relationships with Directors, Heads of Service, and senior managers.
  • Act as a critical friend, providing constructive challenge and professional advice to support strategic and operational decision-making.
  • Proactively advise on the financial implications of service developments, policy changes, and new legislation.

Budget Setting & Medium-Term Financial Planning

  • Coordinate and lead the annual revenue and capital budget setting process for the allocated service area, in line with the corporate timetable.
  • Support budget managers in understanding cost drivers, demand pressures, demographic trends, and financial risks.
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), including savings and cost reduction programmes.
  • Undertake detailed reviews of complex, high-risk, or volatile budgets, particularly within Social Care.

Budget Monitoring & Forecasting

  • Produce timely, accurate monthly revenue and capital monitoring reports.
  • Quality-assure budget forecasts provided by service managers, ensuring assumptions are robust and evidence-based.
  • Investigate and explain variances, identify risks and opportunities, and support the management of financial pressures.
  • Present financial positions to Directorate Management Teams and Finance Business Partners as required.

Financial Reporting & Year-End Accounts

  • Plan and coordinate the year-end closedown process for the allocated Service Directorate.
  • Ensure accurate accounting records, high-quality working papers, and compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Provide information to support the production of the Council’s Statement of Accounts.
  • Prepare and submit statutory financial and statistical returns and ensure accurate and timely grant claims.

Leadership & Development

  • Line-manage and support a Senior Finance Officer, including performance appraisal and development.
  • Provide financial training and guidance to service and budget managers.
  • Promote a customer-focused, professional finance service and ensure consistent standards across service finance teams.

Governance, Compliance & Improvement

  • Ensure compliance with statutory guidance, accounting standards, and the Council’s financial regulations.
  • Escalate financial risks or breaches appropriately.
  • Lead or contribute to financial improvement and transformation projects.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local government finance best practice and legislative changes.

Key Budget Areas (Indicative)

The role will be responsible for managing significant budgets within one or more of the following areas:

  • Adults Social Care & Public Health
  • Children’s Services (including DSG)
  • Housing (General Fund & HRA)
  • Community Services or Resources Directorate

Budgets range from £16m to £60m+, depending on allocation.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Proven experience as a Service Accountant / Finance Business Partner within a UK local authority.
  • Significant experience supporting Social Care services (Adults and/or Children’s).
  • Strong experience of budget setting, monitoring, forecasting, and year-end closedown.
  • Experience of advising and influencing senior managers and directors.
  • CCAB-qualified accountant (CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or near-finalist with significant relevant experience.
  • Excellent analytical, numerical, and communication skills.
  • Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups as a minimum).

Desirable

  • Experience managing or supervising finance staff.
  • Experience delivering financial improvement or transformation initiatives.
  • Advanced use of financial systems and general ledger reporting tools.
  • Knowledge of demographic and demand-led budgeting within Social Care.

Additional Information

Occasional longer working hours during peak periods such as budget setting and year-end.

Commitment to the Council’s values: Be Courageous, Do It Together, Make It Happen.

Commitment to equality, diversity, information security, and health & safety.

Note

Experience as a Social Care Accountant within a Local Government environment is essential for this role.