Service Accountant

We are looking for a Service Accountant to join our Finance team to support our Adult, Health and Integration directorate.

As a Service Accountant you will be responsible for supporting service areas through the annual budget cycle (budget setting, budget monitoring and closing of accounts) working with managers to ensure reporting deadlines are met. You will need the financial expertise to work in accordance with necessary accounting and legislative guidelines.

You will need to be an excellent and effective communicator, able to build strong working relationships across the authority and with external stakeholders. You will be proactive in providing high quality and informed financial advice at all levels to facilitate correct operational decisions. You will also be confident in both challenging the numbers and justifying your own decisions where necessary. You’ll be able to work on your own initiative to identify and solve problems and prioritise your workload.

The ideal candidate will have experience of working in a customer focused management accounting environment in a large organisation and will have an understanding of local government finance and services. Applicants must be fully qualified AAT/part qualified CCAB or have significant finance experience. Please refer to the job description and person specification for the full list of requirements.

Hackney is one of the UK’s highest performing local authorities, serving one of London’s best places to live and work. We have achieved a huge amount: our services, our schools, our public spaces are all amongst the very best. We have changed the reputation, not just of the Council, but of Hackney itself. Bringing jobs and investment into the borough, securing the legacy from the 2012 Games, and making this a place of which we can all be proud.

The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.

When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.

Interview date: to be confirmed

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk