Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• Salary: £34,434per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We are passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you share that ambition, join us as an Accountant and help make a meaningful difference. Your ideas and drive will support our continued improvement and innovation, while giving you the opportunity to create a positive and lasting impact.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Financial Management Team, providing essential support to directorates so they can meet their financial responsibilities. You will offer advice and guidance on key aspects of financial management, including budget monitoring and forecasting.

Day to day, you will:

• support effective budget management by entering and analysing financial data to enable informed decision-making and the best use of resources
• explain financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues, helping them understand and manage their budgets
• maintain strong financial control by supporting improvements to processes, identifying efficiencies and promoting good practice across the council
• input, analyse and interpret financial data to produce reports for senior managers and contribute to the preparation of statutory accounts
• contribute to the development and maintenance of financial systems and processes
• complete reconciliations to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial information
• maintain data integrity across financial records, providing advice and guidance on systems, reporting and queries.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will work closely with budget holders and business support teams across a directorate. You will also be part of a supportive Finance team, playing a key role in helping the council make the most effective use of its resources for the people of Suffolk.

You will need

• AAT qualification or working towards a CCAB qualification (e.g. CIPFA, CIMA or ACCA), or equivalent knowledge and experience
• experience of working in a finance environment
• strong communication skills and a positive, proactive approach
• the ability to maintain accurate records, interpret and reconcile data from multiple systems, and produce clear financial reporting
• good levels of literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

This role supports hybrid working, with a balance of working from home and from the office to support collaboration with colleagues.

You can view a full list of requirements in the  Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

We are a diverse, supportive and enthusiastic team who will help you settle in and succeed. This role offers the opportunity to take on a broad range of financial and accounting work, giving you the chance to build your experience and develop your career. Our structure also offers clear progression opportunities within the wider Finance team.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Rosie Simpson (she/her)for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 265274or emailing: rosie.simpson@suffolk.gov.uk

Alternatively, please contact Debbie Scott-Webb (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 263733 or emailing: debbie.scott-webb@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word)

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the  Supporting Statement template (Word)

1. Tell us about a time when you analysed financial data to support decision-making. What approach did you take and what was the outcome?
2. Describe an occasion where you had to communicate complex or detailed information clearly and tactfully. What approach did you take?
3. Tell us about a time when you contributed to multiple tasks or projects at the same time. How did you ensure everything was completed effectively?

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at:  recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or  03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 26 July 2026.

Interview date: week commencing, 10 August 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk)