Chief Accountant

• JDPS_-_Chief_Accountant_-_May_2025

Please apply online via the link provided.

Are you a seasoned accounting professional with local government experience? Folkestone & Hythe District Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Accountant to join our dedicated team and lead the Accountancy Team. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in supporting the financial future of our district, working closely with the s151 officer and Deputy s151 officer.

Key Responsibilities

• - Ensure budget preparation, monitoring, and the preparation of the Council’s annual financial statements are completed to specified standards and deadlines.
• - Provide professional advice to Members and service management on the financial implications of current and proposed service delivery activities.
• - Support new initiatives with financial modelling, options appraisal, and business planning.
• - Conduct professional and technical research to ensure financial management activities and reporting align with best practices and legislation.
• - Assist in the preparation of estimates for the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.
• - Lead the delivery of the annual financial statement and audit for the council, including HRA, subsidiary companies, and charities.
• - Manage the Collection Fund and oversee relevant accounting, returns, and pooling arrangements.
• - Attend corporate leadership team & Council committee meetings to introduce papers and respond to Member queries.
• - Lead, develop, and motivate accountancy staff, ensuring effective succession planning and training.
• - Identify and implement continuous improvement and best practice initiatives.
• - Liaise with external and internal auditors, ensuring timely responses and implementation of recommendations.
• - Optimise the use of technology in service delivery and identify new investment opportunities.

Person Specification

• Essential Qualifications: CCAB part-qualified Accountant (professional stage). A management qualification would be desirable, but not essential.
• Experience: At least 4 years of recent and relevant experience within a financial environment, ideally within local government. Extensive experience providing professional advice to senior stakeholders and managing financial reporting, record-keeping, and service development projects.
• Skills: Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and build strong working relationships at all levels. Proficient in IT, particularly Microsoft Office and financial/ERP systems.

Why Join Us?

Folkestone & Hythe is a dynamic and innovative place to live, work and visit.

Recognised by Best Companies as an outstanding organisation to work for, we have a focus on wellbeing and staff development. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working: Embrace a culture that supports agile and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous Leave: Enjoy up to 31 days of holiday plus bank holidays, a flexi-time scheme, birthday leave, and Christmas office closure.
• Pension Scheme: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Family-Friendly Initiatives: Benefit from a range of family-friendly policies and support.
• Health & Wellbeing: Participate in health and wellbeing initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Additional Perks: Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions, salary sacrifice schemes, corporate membership discounts, and free office parking.

Closing date for receipt of all completed applications is 11:59pm on 31st August 2025

Interviews will take place on 11th September 2025.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Jonathan Smith - Chief Officer, Financial Services (Deputy s151). Email: Jonathan.Smith@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk, Tel: 01303 853780