Financial Accountant - #1716148

Financial Accountant

£49,359 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9

Leeds / Hybrid

Full time / Permanent – 37 hours per week

Closing date: Sunday 1 June 11:55pm

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.

Are you a detail-orientated Financial Accountant looking for your next big move?

Join our newly established Financial Accounting team within the wider Finance & Commercial Services Directorate. As one of two Financial Accountants in a close-knit team of four, you’ll play a central role in delivering high-quality financial services in a time of positive change and development at the Combined Authority.

This is a role full of variety and responsibility. As Financial Accountant, you will ensure income and expenditure are recorded accurately across a high volume of transactions, support the preparation of the annual Statement of Accounts, and manage the authority’s daily cash flow whilst working closely with our treasury management advisors. You will also collaborate with external partners on group accounts and be a trusted financial partner to budget holders across the organisation - enabling smart, informed decision-making every step of the way. Furthermore, you will work alongside our Finance Systems Team to help shape a more efficient finance system. Your insight will help us streamline processes, improve functionality, and future-proof our financial operations.

We’re looking for a Financial Accountant with the ability to navigate and maintain compliance within a highly regulated public sector environment, who can bring precision and a proactive mindset. In return, we can offer you flexible, hybrid working that supports your work-life balance, significant opportunities for development, and the chance to be part of a team that values integrity, support, and continuous improvement.

Our Offer

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

· 28 days Annual Leave (increasing upon years of service) plus Bank Holidays.

· Generous Employer-Contribution Pension Scheme.

· Free Travel on rail and buses across West Yorkshire with the MCard (Zones 1-5).

· Flexible Working Practices with Health & Wellbeing initiatives, including agile working options, as well as a generous flexi-time scheme to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals.

· Bright, airy, modern office space, with all latest technology, just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station.

The Role

Reporting into the Group Financial Accountant your key responsibilities will include:

· Lead and give direction to develop and further extend the range of financial reporting and financial management tools and reports used to inform the business in delivery of corporate objectives.

· Proactively participate in and lead aspects of the production and delivery of statutory accounts, annual revenue and capital budgets, and associated in year monitoring, forecasting & reporting.

· Ensure that the Combined Authority is compliant and up to date with all relevant financial standards and practices.

Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

· Hold a degree or equivalent relevant experience in accounting.

· CIMA / CCAB qualified or passed finalist.

· Practical experience of successfully performing in a similar role.

· Strong understanding and experience of financial controls.

· Demonstrable understanding of financial procedures within a Local Authority environment.

· Practical knowledge of financial reporting standards and CIPFA/IFRS Code.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity. or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.

Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis.