Senior Accountant
| Posting date: | 04 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,142 to £51,353 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £46,142 - £51,356 per annum, Grade 6 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 February 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 26/15 |
Summary
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeking a Senior Accountant to join our dynamic Finance and Procurement team. In this key role, you’ll help deliver high-quality financial accounting services across the organisation, as well as to our partners and external stakeholders.
You will be responsible for supporting the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement in areas of Budgeting, Financial Reporting, upholding general Accounting Principles, preparing Monthly Financial Report and the Analysis relating to the reports, ensuring compliance with all financial regulations and best practices and providing accurate and timely financial information to management for decision-making. The Senior Accountant will report to the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a respected public service provider that prioritises the development and wellbeing of its employees. We offer flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, alongside a supportive and collaborative working environment.
About you:
We’re seeking a motivated and proactive individual who is ready to hit the ground running — ideally someone who is available to start immediately.
To be considered, you must hold a CCAB or Part Qualified with over 5 years Accounting Experience and a minimum of 2 years Senior Accountant responsibilities and Financial Reporting responsibilities.
The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:
• Contribute to the financial management of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s revenue and capital budgets.
• Contribute to ongoing liaisons with cost centre managers of all Directorates, internal and external auditors, contractors and suppliers of financial services.
• Ensure the probity and integrity of financial management in RBFRS within the statutory and constitutional framework
• Produce timely & accurate management information and consolidate budget and business information for the Authority. Account for any subsidiaries, joint ventures, shared services and collaborative arrangements.
• Deputise for the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement to provide a wide range of accountancy support including the preparation of budgets, budgetary control and monitoring, closedown procedures and financial advice to managers and budget holders and others across the organisation
• Contribute to the consolidation of RBFRS’s year-end accounts and ensure the Statements are compliant with accounting standards
Key role requirements (knowledge, skills and experience):
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce financial policies, procedures and reports.
• Oral communication skills to provide advice and present complex financial information clearly to non-financial managers/senior management, elected members and other stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning and financial planning within a complex organisational environment.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into financial reality.
• Ability to interpret new financial legislation and apply it appropriately to a large organisation.
Closing date for applications is 19 February 2026
It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run 26 February and 2 March 2026
Anticipated start date: ASAP
You will be responsible for supporting the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement in areas of Budgeting, Financial Reporting, upholding general Accounting Principles, preparing Monthly Financial Report and the Analysis relating to the reports, ensuring compliance with all financial regulations and best practices and providing accurate and timely financial information to management for decision-making. The Senior Accountant will report to the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a respected public service provider that prioritises the development and wellbeing of its employees. We offer flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, alongside a supportive and collaborative working environment.
About you:
We’re seeking a motivated and proactive individual who is ready to hit the ground running — ideally someone who is available to start immediately.
To be considered, you must hold a CCAB or Part Qualified with over 5 years Accounting Experience and a minimum of 2 years Senior Accountant responsibilities and Financial Reporting responsibilities.
The key focus of this role (Key Responsibilities and Deliverables) is:
• Contribute to the financial management of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s revenue and capital budgets.
• Contribute to ongoing liaisons with cost centre managers of all Directorates, internal and external auditors, contractors and suppliers of financial services.
• Ensure the probity and integrity of financial management in RBFRS within the statutory and constitutional framework
• Produce timely & accurate management information and consolidate budget and business information for the Authority. Account for any subsidiaries, joint ventures, shared services and collaborative arrangements.
• Deputise for the Deputy Head of Finance and Procurement to provide a wide range of accountancy support including the preparation of budgets, budgetary control and monitoring, closedown procedures and financial advice to managers and budget holders and others across the organisation
• Contribute to the consolidation of RBFRS’s year-end accounts and ensure the Statements are compliant with accounting standards
Key role requirements (knowledge, skills and experience):
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce financial policies, procedures and reports.
• Oral communication skills to provide advice and present complex financial information clearly to non-financial managers/senior management, elected members and other stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning and financial planning within a complex organisational environment.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into financial reality.
• Ability to interpret new financial legislation and apply it appropriately to a large organisation.
Closing date for applications is 19 February 2026
It is anticipated that the assessment/interview process will run 26 February and 2 March 2026
Anticipated start date: ASAP
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