Salary range: £50,884 - £53,936 per annum
Work location: County Hall, Oxford
Hours per week: 37 - we are open to discussions about flexible working 
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: Monday 26th July 2021
Interview date: Week commencing 2nd August 2021

We are seeking a dynamic Chief Accountant in this key role to be part of our ambitious Finance Team that is enabling our essential services to thrive in making Oxfordshire an even better place.

About us

This is a great time to be working as a Chief Accountant in Finance for Oxfordshire County Council.

We strongly believe in working collaboratively and have a real presence both locally and through national networking bodies.  

The Finance Team is well respected across the Council, and we take great pride in delivering an effective financial strategy that is supporting innovation and creativity and driving effective financial management. We have an excellent record of financial performance, delivering savings and maintaining strong financial resilience.

We strongly believe that Oxfordshire Finance Team is a great team to work for and continue to look for ways to improve so we can be even better.  We support each other and have clear values and behaviours that we work to. We are an integral part of operations at Oxfordshire County Council, and pride ourselves on our delivery, standards and customer service.

For more information, please click here.

About the role

As Chief Accountant, you will be a part of the Finance Leadership Team and will manage the Financial Accounting Team consisting of five staff.

In your role as Chief Accountant, you will work closely with the Director of Finance,  providing technical advice, insight and interpretation of Financial Accounting Standards and Regulations; and, in producing the Statement of Accounts for which you will also manage the External Audit process.

You will be responsible for maintaining the financial accounting system and for monitoring its performance to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information and accounting processes. You will also manage the quality monitoring of finance policies, procedures and guidance.

About you

As a professional CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant you will be expected to have the knowledge skills and experience to lead the Financial Accounting function, to provide technical accounting advice and support, and to produce accurately and on time the annual Statement of Accounts.

To be successful in the role of Chief Accountant, you will have a positive and optimistic attitude with a willingness and aptitude for understanding and interpreting complex regulations and legislation, and for innovating,  challenging traditional approaches.

You will be an experienced manager of staff, and an excellent proactive communicator with the ability to influence and build trust-based relationships. You will enjoy working collaboratively in problem solving and making informed and insightful decisions.

Rewards and benefits

It really is true that every single job role here contributes to bettering the lives of the people in our county - we want to do this for our employees too. We are proud of our strong flexible working culture, including the opportunity for flexibility on working hours and the use of technology to support agile working. We offer some of the very best learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us up to 32 days, as well as giving you the option to buy additional holiday. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary; a range of local and national retail discounts; and a host of enhanced family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering.

Work Location and Remote Working

Due to the current pandemic, this role will initially be based at home. However, you may be required to travel and work in allocated locations across the Oxfordshire County depending on the needs of the service and way forward. Hot desking is available at various offices across the County. Our corporate offices are based at Oxford, Abingdon and Banbury in addition to various local offices across Oxfordshire.

Would you like to know more?

Please click here to view the Job Description and Selection Criteria.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Ian Dyson, Assistant Director of Finance, on 07393001250.

Application Procedure

To apply, you will need to complete an online application form. This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the selection criteria, as specified in the job posting. You may attach a cover letter and/or CV to your application form, however it is not mandatory. 

If you experience any difficulties whilst completing the application form, please contact the Recruitment Team using Recruitment Application Enquiry Form on the Home Page. 

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support and safe spaces for staff.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Our Organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Guaranteed interviews

As a Disability Confident employer we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

We are open to discussions about flexible working.