Senior Accountant

Luton Borough Council

Senior Accountant (Capital & Technical)

Up to £49,866 (pay award pending) plus excellent benefits

Luton Borough Council remains determined that they will be known as the council that Cares. Through Collaborative, ambitious, respectful, empowering and supportive services they are driven to provide the best possible service for their residents.

Aligned with this ambitious and rewarding vision, Council staff are working hard to respond positively and proactively to a wide range of operational and financial challenges. Drawing on a strong track record of high performance and ongoing transformation, they are looking at every part of their services to identify and implement innovative approaches to ensure quality services are delivered for all those who live in, work in or visit the county.

This exciting role offers a wide variety of career and development opportunities within a commercially driven and forward thinking unitary authority. The Council has developed powerful assets in the form of Luton Airport and has its own housing company, held as wholly owned companies, which provide longer term financial stability and a focus on continuous improvement and development. The extensive capital programme includes plans to expand the airport and regenerate the town, Luton has recently been successful in securing a grant from the Levelling Up Fund to support the programme. The future for Luton looks bright and the opportunities for the workforce are tangible.

CIPFA have commended the Council for decisive action and pro-activity in addressing the Covid related budget pressures. We also had a nomination at this month’s LGC awards in the Public to Public Partnership category so it’s clear Luton is an exciting place to work right now!

The Senior Accountant is an important part of the Council, helping to develop solutions and further innovation to meet any challenges the Council may face.

Key responsibilities will include;

• Providing strategic and technical advice to senior managers to maximise capital investment and support business partners and managers to enable the council to determine it’s capital expenditure priorities
• Prepare the accounting elements of the Council’s capital programme working in conjunction with the Fixed Assets Service, Cost Centre Managers and Finance Business Partners and their accountants to enable the Council to determine its capital expenditure priorities.
• Develop and maintain the financial asset register, ensuring that it is compliant with changing requirements. Liaise with auditors over the valuation estimates pertaining to the asset register and gauge the impact on the statement of accounts.
• Play a leading role in regular capital budget monitoring in liaison with the service managers and directors challenging forecasts where appropriate to ensure the integrity and robustness of the quarterly budget monitoring reports.

To be suitable, you must be a qualified finance professional or part qualified with extensive experience, with a positive attitude and substantial experience of gained in a complex financial environment, including budgeting, monitoring, year-end closure, financial modelling and planning. Experience managing others is also essential.

For more information or for an informal discussion, please contact Jack Cox at Allen Lane on 07921 336629. To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to JackCox@allenlane.co.uk by Monday 15^th August. The cover letter should be no more than two pages and should say why you are interested in the role and why you believe you are suitable.

The Council is embracing a hybrid approach to working, enabling staff to work flexibly. There is no set requirement in terms of numbers of days to be in the office, rather staff are encouraged to consider the best location to undertake the work they are doing. Computer based work and video calls are likely to be best done at home or remote site, collaboration and engaging with colleagues may be better in the office.