Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 18.5 hours per week - flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent
  
  

We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Finance Officer and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Financial Management Team as a Finance Officer, providing key support to directorates and local authority-maintained schools to help them meet their financial responsibilities. This includes advising on core financial activities such as budget monitoring, forecasting and ensuring good financial management practices are followed.

You will support effective budget management by accurately inputting, analysing and interpreting financial data, enabling informed decision-making and the best use of resources. A key part of the role is explaining financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.

You will help maintain strong financial control across the Council by supporting the continuous improvement and streamlining of financial processes. This will contribute to ensuring resources are used effectively to support the people of Suffolk.

Key responsibilities include:

• inputting, analysing and interpreting financial data, providing timely and accurate information
• contributing to the development and maintenance of financial systems and processes
• overseeing the accurate processing of journals, virements and other financial transactions
• monitoring helpdesks and team mailboxes, providing advice and support to finance colleagues.
  

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will work closely with budget holders and business support staff within a directorate, supporting all aspects of financial management while being part of a supportive and collaborative finance team.

You will need

• AAT qualification or equivalent knowledge and experience
• a minimum of 4 GCSEs (Grade 4–9 / C and above), including Maths and English, or equivalent
• demonstrable experience of working within and supporting a finance team
• strong communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly
• a positive, proactive approach
• proven ability to maintain accurate records and interpret and reconcile financial data
• good literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
  

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, committed to helping you settle in and succeed in your role.

This position offers the opportunity to take on a broad range of financial and accounting work, giving you exposure to varied and interesting tasks. You will be encouraged to develop your skills and knowledge, helping you build experience and progress your career.

Our team structure reflects the breadth of roles within Finance, providing clear opportunities for future development and progression.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re 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 Michael Quinton(he/him),for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 265596 or emailing michael.quinton@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 me about your experience of maintaining accuracy and integrity in financial records. How do you ensure your work is reliable?
2. Tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple tasks or deadlines. How did you prioritise your workload and ensure everything was completed?
3. Describe how you use IT systems, such as Excel or finance systems, to manipulate and analyse data. Can you give a specific example?

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.ukor  03456 014412 You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages

Closing date: 11.30pm, 19 July 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)