Financial Accountant - Tax

Overview

Are you an ambitious finance professional ready to take the next step in your career? We’re looking for a motivated Financial Accountant to join our Finance team and play a key role in shaping high‑quality financial management across the Council. As part of this role, you’ll take ownership of our Tax function, ensuring these complex areas are managed with accuracy, insight, and robust financial control.

Buckinghamshire Council is the backbone of making our county the best place to live, raise a family, work, and do business. As the second largest council by population, we deliver thousands of services to our community. Join our fast-paced Financial Accounting and Control team, managing net assets of over £2bn and gross income of over £1bn annually. Our numbers are big, and our ambitions are even bigger.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to a diverse range of technical accounting disciplines Treasury Management, Collection Fund, Taxation, External Audit, Capital Accounting, Fixed Assets, and more while working collaboratively across the organisation. With a clear career/linked grade pathway, this role is ideal for someone who wants to grow, develop, and make a meaningful impact.

About us

Our Financial Accounting and Control team ensures robust financial controls and compliance with regulatory, accounting, and auditing standards. We are proud of the services we deliver and the people who deliver them.

Why Join Us:

• Culture: Experience a fair and inclusive culture that promotes a positive work-life balance.
• Benefits: Enjoy generous leave entitlement, competitive pay aligned with our performance pay scheme, and a substantial employer pension contribution through the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Development: Opportunities for career growth and development, along with various discount schemes and more.

About the role

Reporting into the Senior Financial Accountant, you’ll become the trusted technical expert in Local Authority tax, supporting the delivery of accurate, compliant, and insightful financial information across the Council and providing necessary training across the organisation. You’ll work closely with colleagues in Finance and with service areas to maintain robust financial controls, ensure statutory compliance, and help drive continuous improvement in our processes and systems.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating work programmes to ensure timely delivery of all technical accounting activities.
• Developing, implementing and maintaining systems, policies, and procedures within your specialist areas.
• Researching and assessing the impact of regulatory and accounting standards changes, ensuring the Council remains fully compliant.
• Conducting detailed financial analysis, preparing high‑quality reports, and offering recommendations to senior management.
• Supporting internal and external audit processes and ensuring effective implementation of audit recommendations.
• Streamlining and automating processes, contributing to our wider continuous improvement agenda.
• Building strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the Finance service with professionalism and expertise.
• Contributing to Council-wide projects, providing technical advice, and supporting the implementation of complex accounting standards and regulations.

This role is subject to rotation within the Financial Accounting and Control team, giving you exposure to different areas and supporting your long-term development.

Any-Desk:
As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

Essential experience & skills:

• Qualifications: Part-qualified/finalist CCAB or CIMA accountant, AAT qualified.
• Experience: Experience in finance within a medium to large organisation, with a track record in supporting the delivery of statutory financial accounts and working with external auditors.
• Skills: Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, attention to detail and a commitment to continual improvement.
• Attributes: A desire to excel in technical areas of accounting and a collaborative approach to driving service change.

Please refer to the job summary attached for further information about the role.

Other information

If you would like to have an informal conversation about this role, please contact Loren Forbes (Senior Financial Accountant) at [email protected] 

Working arrangements: Any desk worker, working 2 days in the office (Aylesbury) and 3 days from home.

Interview date: Week commencing 8th June 2026

The interview will be with the Chief Accountant and Senior Financial Accountant.

The interview process will include an Excel test, a short technical written report and a face-to-face interview.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Service Area

Corporate Finance sets the overall financial strategy for the Council as well as the financial, risk and control assurance framework. The service is responsible for co-ordinating the Medium-Term Financial Plan, as well overseeing essential services, from statutory financial reporting and pensions administration to strategic procurement and supplier relationship management, as well as financial support for major projects.

Our expert staff work collaboratively to set a balanced budget and review the Council’s financial framework and procedures and to establish an appropriate assurance framework. Now is an exciting time to join Corporate Finance as we continue to play a key role in supporting all front-line services, ensuring that value for money is achieved and financial activities are directed towards the Council’s priorities.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/