Group Accountant

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 Full Time

Your workstyle will be a mobile hybrid worker in this role which gives you the flexibility to work from home and from a variety of Council workplaces.

Are you a qualified accountant who enjoys combining technical expertise, leadership and practical problem-solving? We are looking for a Group Accountant to join Financial Services at Neath Port Talbot Council. You will lead a finance team and provide high-level financial management and strategic advice across designated service areas, helping managers and senior leaders make well-informed decisions.

This is a broad and rewarding role spanning financial planning, budget monitoring, statutory accounts, grants and governance. You will work with colleagues across the Council and engage with external organisations, including Audit Wales and funding bodies.

A place to grow your professional career, Neath Port Talbot Council is an ACCA Approved Employer for Professional Development. You will have plenty of opportunity to maintain and expand your CPD through role-specific learning, professional updates, webinars, conferences, mentoring, leadership development and experience across a varied local government finance portfolio. Development needs are discussed through regular performance and personal development conversations, so support can be tailored to your role and career goals.

As a Group Accountant you will:

• Lead, support and develop a finance team, promoting a high-quality and customer-focused service.
• Provide clear professional advice on complex financial matters, including budgets, grants, governance and regulatory change.
• Carry out medium-term financial planning, budget preparation and monitoring for designated services.
• Prepare and present financial information, reports and variance analysis for managers, senior leaders and scrutiny members.
• Work constructively with service managers, auditors, government organisations and other partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and value for money, using modern technology and data effectively.

You will join a supportive finance service where your advice has a visible impact and where learning, professional development and continuous improvement are actively encouraged.

About you:

You will be a credible and approachable finance professional who can turn complex information into clear advice. You will be comfortable balancing strategic priorities with accurate delivery, developing others and working collaboratively across service boundaries.

You will need:

• Full membership of a CCAB accountancy body.
• At least two years’ experience in a senior financial role involving financial management, budgeting and financial planning.
• Experience of preparing and coordinating budgets and final accounts in line with professional standards.
• Experience of providing professional financial advice and presenting complex or sensitive information to managers and other stakeholders.
• Experience of managing staff and coordinating workloads to deliver a quality service to deadlines.
• Strong technical accounting, analytical, communication and digital skills.
• A commitment to ongoing CPD, professional integrity, confidentiality and public service values.

Experience of local government finance, the CIPFA Code, project management or change management would be helpful, but where criteria are listed as desirable, they are not a barrier to being considered.

About us:

We believe in rewarding and recognising our colleagues’ efforts and achievements. We also believe that there’s life at work and life outside of work. We want everyone to be healthy and happy and have the financial resources and support they need.

Choose to work for us and you’ll be rewarded with a range of attractive benefits and support to help you live your best life.

• Hybrid working and flexible working schemes to improve your work life balance
• Benefit from a competitive employee package with a remarkable 15.3% employer pension contribution
• Enjoy a holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 32 days after 5 years’ service (not forgetting the additional 8 bank holidays too)
• Access discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure
• Utilise the cycle to work scheme with up to 40% off bikes and cycling equipment
• Purchase a new car through Tusker salary sacrifice scheme
• Enjoy exclusive discounts at local and national retailers with the Smart Spend app through our staff wellbeing group.

If you would like to start a rewarding career with a company that values and invests in its employees and you have the necessary experience and qualifications, this could be your dream job and we would love to hear from you.

To arrange a confidential discussion, please email Geoff Powell at [email protected] with your contact number, and Geoff will be happy to contact you to discuss the role in more detail.

DBS requirements:

• This post is not subject to a DBS check

Neath Port Talbot Council is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our schools/employees are equally committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people/vulnerable adults and will take action to safeguard their wellbeing.

The recruitment process for this post will be underpinned by rigorous safer recruitment assessment to ensure that children and young people are protected.

Welsh Language Requirements:

Welsh Language skills are not required

Additional Information:

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans. In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council. Please note that applicants must meet all the essential criteria, as shown in the person specification, to qualify for a guaranteed interview. If you are or going to be affected by the job losses at Tata Steel then we would welcome an application from you. Just make it known on your application form that you are currently at risk of redundancy or you have been made redundant.

At Team NPT, we all work together to serve the people, communities and businesses of Neath Port Talbot.

We are committed to providing training opportunities and the professional development of all our employees.

We look forward to welcoming you to Team NPT.

Salary: £54,143 - £56,293 Per Annum