Assistant Accountant
- Exeter, Devon
- Full Time
- £35,412 - £39,152 per annum
Fixed Term - 20 months
We are seeking to appoint a fulltime Assistant Accountant on a 20 month fixed term contract to join our Children’s Social Care Finance Team.
The role plays an important part in ensuring timely and accurate payments to carers, external providers and care experienced young people. You will lead a team of finance administrators responsible for processing high volumes of payments and completing vital checks to ensure requests are appropriate, consistent and compliant with policy. You will work closely with social workers, personal advisers and operational managers building strong working relationships to support consistent, well informed and policy compliant financial activity. The role includes line management of Finance Administrators and the Finance Officer.
You will have the opportunity to improve payment processes through identification of bottlenecks and inefficient practices across finance teams and Children’s Social Care and lead on the identification of effective solutions. You will also maintain existing policies and create new ones as required to support consistent and efficient working within the team.
As well as overseeing a high volume of payments you will lead on key areas of financial governance, including VAT and debt recovery, and calculate payments for the children in care savings scheme. You will ensure the efficient management of team workflows and mailboxes, and ensure effective governance of point of purchase methods, including prepayment cards and petty cash.
This is an exciting time to join the finance service, with a number of transformation initiatives underway. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to service improvement and the development of financial systems and processes
About You
You will have a sound understanding of accounting principles, strong analytical and IT skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. You will be an effective communicator, able to explain financial information clearly to nonfinancial colleagues, and work positively as part of a team.
You will be proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and support the delivery of agreed changes, helping to achieve practical and sustainable improvements to financial processes and ways of working.
You will also have the ability to support and supervise staff as required, contributing to effective team working, performance, and the delivery of service objectives.
An AAT qualification or equivalent experience is essential. Knowledge or experience of Children’s Social Care finance is desirable but not essential.
What we can offer you
Working for Devon County Council (DCC) has all the benefits that you can expect from a large employer. In return for the vital contribution that you make, we offer:
- 26 days annual leave per year (rising with length of service) plus Bank Holidays effective from 1 April 2026.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme - more information can be found on the Peninsula Pensions website.
- Access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme – available 24/7 to support you with personal and work life.
- Flexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role).
- Discounts from local and high street retailers through the Devon Discounts scheme.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Katherine Hails on 01392 383314 or email katherine.hails@devon.gov.uk.
How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.
Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.
Please click Apply Now to see the Job Description.
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working- The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
- We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
Reference: REQ009550