Responsible Finance Officer and Assistant Clerk
| Posting date: | 10 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 30 June 2026 |
| Location: | CO10 9EH 'Long Melford' |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Long Melford Parish Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Long Melford Parish Council
Responsible Financial Officer and Assistant Parish Clerk
VACANCY
Responsible Financial Officer and Assistant Clerk for Long Melford Parish Council.
Responsibilities of the position will include:
• Acting as the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer and maintaining the Council’s financial records.
• Overall management of the Parish assets. Day to day financial management and preparation of the yearly budget and the end of year accounts to Audit level in accordance with current prescribed processes. The Parish Council utilise the RBS Rialtas accounting package, and familiarity with this system would be an advantage, however not essential as training will be given.
• Liaison with the appointed Internal Auditor where required.
• Advising the Council on matters relating to Council business.
• Preparing and handling correspondence on behalf of the Council.
• Handling questions and queries from members of the public.
• Progressing matters agreed upon by Council.
• Assisting with preparation of agendas and minutes for Council meetings.
• Supervising contractors engaged by the Council.
• Communicating with the community.
Long Melford is a large parish in excess of 4,500 residents. The role will be office based on a full-time contract (12.5 hours per week), flexibility will be required to include attendance at evening meetings. Salary will be between point 21 and point 23 on the NJC Council pay grades depending on experience.
CiLCA qualification would be an advantage, or if not, a willingness to obtain the qualification. Training opportunities will be available. Candidates must be computer literate and have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Please submit your CV with a covering letter by E-mail to Clare Lee, Parish Clerk
Email: clerk@longmelford-pc.gov.uk
Closing Date for applications: 30th June 2026
Interviews will take place week commencing 20th July and the successful candidate would be expected to start on 28th September.
Job Title/Description: Responsible Financial Officer to the Council/Assistant Clerk
(anticipated breakdown of hours 10hrs RFO, 2 ½hrs Assistant Clerk)
Reports to (line manager): Parish Clerk
Accountable to: The Council
Key accountabilities: Proper Financial Management of the Council
The overall responsibilities of the RFO are for the maintenance of the proper financial records of the Council and for the prudent management and administration of its funds and finances, and specifically: -
1. To maintain an adequate system of bookkeeping so as to define at any time the current income and expenditure of the Council and the council’s assets and liabilities.
2. To reconcile, at least monthly, the balances shown by the books of account and by bank statements of all bank accounts held by the council.
3. To report regularly to the council and/or its Finance Committee on the monitoring of the actual income and expenditure against budgets set by the council.
4. To maintain control over, and records for the payment of staff renumeration, including administration of Income Tax, Pensions and National Insurance, and preparation and timely submission of all year-end returns and statements required by Inland Revenue.
5. To maintain appropriate records relating to Value Added Tax, and to make proper returns to and/ or reclaims of VAT from Customs and Excise.
6. To prepare annual accounts for Approval by the council
7. To meet the Council’s statutory obligations for annual internal and external audit of the Council’s accounts.
8. To prepare draft annual Budget and Precept proposals for consideration and approval by the Council and/or its Finance Committee, all in accordance with a timetable to facilitate the adoption of agreed Budgets and related Precepts at latest by 31st January each year in respect of the following fiscal year.
9. To maintain records for, and present forecasts of, future movement of funds, particularly in relation to the setting by the Council of future Budgets and Precepts.
10. To receive and report on invoices for goods and services to be paid for by the council and to ensure such accounts are paid in accordance with the policies of the council.
11. To issue invoices on behalf of the Council for goods and services provided by the Council, and to ensure that payment is received.
12. The Assistant Clerk will support the Clerk in the efficient and effective administration of the Council’s business. The postholder will work closely with the Clerk to ensure that the Council’s responsibilities and services are delivered to a high standard.