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Corporate Accountant

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

Job Introduction

We’re recruiting for a Corporate Accountant with a great eye for detail and plenty of enthusiasm to challenge and improve city council processes.

This role is based in our dynamic corporate team, which is very much the engine room of finance and a fast-paced area where we lead on financial planning and budget setting, manage our capital programme, corporate accounting and much more, also making sure that we meet our regulatory requirements and that our partners deliver, and systems perform as they should.

You’ll provide commitment, energy, and will be able to deal with conflicting priorities. Inquisitive, you’ll challenge our services and processes to ensure good governance and value for money.

In return, as well as experiencing daily variety, you’ll broaden your finance experience and knowledge in a supportive environment. We work with a common interest in delivering on time to a high standard, helping to shape the future of our growing city.

We also offer an excellent range of in-house training and development opportunities, and flexible working arrangements including homeworking.

Part time working for this role can be considered.

Main Responsibility

  • To assist the team with the production of the City Council Statement of Accounts, producing working papers, providing technical advice, and working with internal and external auditors.
  • Ensure accurate submission of grant & statutory returns and claims, ensuring evidence and working papers are accurate and clear. Manage the grants register, ensuring all income is received and correctly posted.
  • Ensure all reconciliations are complete and all entries are posted on a monthly basis.
  • Responsible for preparation of FOI returns, preparation of information for the website and ensuring Transparency data is published.
  • Provide support and team resilience to the Financial Accountant - VAT, assisting in the completion of VAT returns for the City Council, HMRC and audit queries, and provision of VAT advice.
  • Ensure compliance with financial regulations and governance processes.
  • Provide support on key projects and guidance to Senior Managers.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Qualified accountant (CCAB) or in final year (with a commitment to finish) and evidence of appropriate CPD.
  • Excellent spreadsheet skills and ability to undertake complex financial calculations using different data sets and systems.
  • Some Public Sector finance experience or knowledge and understanding of the CIPFA code of practice and a strong financial accounting background.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Ability to explain complicated and technical information to both finance and non-finance personnel.
  • Work well under pressure demonstrating innovative and creative thinking with high quality results.

Package Description

​We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes City Council, including:-

  • Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 18.8%.
  • 28 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 32 days after 5 years.
  • Holiday Purchase Scheme.
  • Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
  • Cycle to Work Scheme.
  • Health Cashplan.
  • MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
  • Blue Light Card - Employees working within Social Care can qualify for a range of discounts from national retailers to local businesses in a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more!
  • SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
  • Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles).
  • Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs).
  • A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements.
  • Childcare Subsidy.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes is a diverse, welcoming, and expanding place, built on smart ideas with even bigger plans for the future. We have world class attractions, beautiful open spaces, and a great standard of living.

Milton Keynes City Council is one of the largest employers in the region, making a difference every day for local people. We’re responsible for all local government services in MK including education, housing, highways, and social services - around 240 services in all.

Our values are to be dedicated, respectful, and collaborative. If this sounds like you, join us for a stimulating and fulfilling career measured on results, and a rewarding work-life balance.

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