Technical Accountant

Join us in a high-impact finance role where your technical expertise will help shape strong financial reporting, support sound decisions, and make a real difference for local communities.

We are seeking a positive, proactive and self-motivated individual to join our team at Epping Forest District Council.

Role details

• Location: Civic Offices Epping (hybrid working available, subject to service need)

• Salary / Grade: Grade J: £61,754 – £64,265

• Contract: Permanent

• Hours: 36 hours per week (flexible working considered)

About the role

We are seeking a qualified and motivated Technical Accountant to join our finance team at an exciting time for the council. This is a great opportunity to lead on specialist accounting areas, shape high-quality financial reporting, and provide expert advice that supports key services for residents. Working across the organisation on complex and rewarding technical matters, you will contribute to the successful delivery of the Statement of Accounts and help maintain strong financial governance and continuous improvement.

Reporting directly to the Chief Accountant you will play a key role in delivering high-quality technical accounting support across the council, with responsibilities including:

Key responsibilities

• Provide trusted technical accounting advice to finance colleagues and services on complex transactions and accounting treatment.

• Lead on Collection Fund accounting (Council Tax and NNDR/Business Rates), including estimates, year-end reconciliations, supporting papers, disclosures, and liaison with internal stakeholders and external audit.

• Take ownership of Group Accounts, including advising on accounting treatment, maintaining robust working papers, and preparing supporting disclosures for the Statement of Accounts.

• Support the delivery of the annual Statement of Accounts, including working papers, disclosures, and productive engagement with external audit.

• Prepare and support key system reconciliations, including payroll and cash/bank reconciliations, maintaining strong audit trails, investigating differences, and ensuring timely resolution.

• Contribute to capital accounting, leases, and fixed asset accounting, supporting year-end closedown activities, reconciliations, and audit queries.

• Complete the Whole of Government Accounts return and coordinate other statutory returns as required, while also supporting treasury and VAT activities with strong compliance and controls.

• Help support and improve the council’s finance systems, year-end processes, reporting templates, and financial controls, contributing to continuous improvement and change.

• Manage and support staff within the team, providing day-to-day guidance, allocating work effectively, and helping to maintain high-quality service delivery.

About you

• Essential: CCAB-qualified (for example CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or qualified by experience with demonstrable technical accounting expertise.

• Strong understanding of statutory accounting and financial reporting, with experience of preparing or reviewing year-end accounts and disclosures.

• Ability to interpret accounting guidance and turn it into clear advice, practical solutions, and robust working papers.

• Excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the confidence to build effective working relationships across the organisation.

• A proactive approach, with the ability to manage priorities, contribute ideas, and support continuous improvement.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, especially Excel and Outlook,

• Experience and confidence in using financial systems to support reconciliations, reporting, controls, and year-end processes.

• A genuine enthusiasm for transformation and excellence.

What we offer

• The Council can offer an excellent collaborative working environment which promotes remote working as well as on site working at the Civic Offices in Epping, which offer a modern, high specification workspace

• This role is offered on a hybrid basis, with an expectation that colleagues are expected to be in the office at least once per month for team meetings (as a minimum), for project work and collaborative activities, and as often as the role requires face to face attendance.

• A varied and visible role with real influence, professional challenge, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the council.

• Be part of a supportive finance team committed to professional development and shaping the future of the Council’s financial function.

• Generous benefits including:

o 28 days annual leave (plus public holidays) (pro rata for part time).

o Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

o Ongoing professional development support

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can use your technical expertise, continue to grow your public-sector experience, and make a genuine difference, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please apply via our online recruitment portal by 22nd June 2026

Interviews are expected to take place on 2^nd July 2026

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Mandy Fuller, Chief Accountant mfuller@eppingforestdc/gov.uk or Nuala Donnelly , Service Director. ndonnelly@eppingforestdc.gov,uk

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

Epping Forest District Council 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.