Accountant - Housing Finance Team

This is a 12-month fixed term role supporting the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), within the Housing Finance team. The postholder will lead budget monitoring meetings monthly, support budget holders and lead on key accounting tasks such as accruals, providing month end narrative, and complete other ad-hoc tasks relevant to the role. At year end, the role plays a central part in closure activities, including producing year end accruals, reconciliations and analytical reviews. The main duties of this role is to provide support and adequate challenge to the service areas, often explaining complex financial information to non-finance colleagues, and ensuring the service area remains on track to deliver on its Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP). Personal qualities / skills: We are looking for a motivated and hardworking individual with strong attention to detail, who can manage their workload effectively and work well both independently and as part of a team. Experience in similar roles is desirable, and ideally the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate strong communication skills and technical financial knowledge. Day to day responsibilities:

• Supporting Budget Holders to manage budgets, forecasts, and provide detailed breakdowns of cost and income as needed. Both Capital and Revenue.
• Producing quarterly and year end accruals.
• Posting Journals as needed on a regular basis.
• Assist Housing Team with the completion of Grant Returns and submissions.
• Completing reconciliations, particularly in relation to rents and service charges.
• Support non-finance colleagues by providing guidance on correct accounting treatments of income and expenditure on a regular basis.
• Provide the Senior Accountant with detailed and informative narrative on variances and movements monthly.
This post is being offered on a fixed term basis and will cease when the period of maternity leave ends. The council cannot guarantee any minimum or maximum period of employment. Our Offer We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process. You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this . Our are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack. For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Jess Moses at or call . To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline. Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI. All new starters will join us on a four-month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well-supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire. Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered. Free information, advice and guidance into work or learning provides free, impartial, information advice and guidance to those aged 16+ looking to get into work, learning or exploring a change of career.