Senior Accountant (Capital)

About us.

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

About the opportunity.

Help shape more than £300 million of investment across North Somerset.

We're looking for a talented and ambitious finance professional to join our Capital Finance Team as Senior Accountant (Capital).

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced local government accountant, or a qualified finance professional looking to step into a management role, to influence major investment decisions and support projects that make a real difference to our communities.

Working closely with senior leaders, budget holders and project managers, you'll play a key role in developing and monitoring the Council's capital programme, supporting high-profile projects including MetroWest Rail and Birnbeck Pier.

With a supportive team environment, flexible hybrid working and opportunities for professional development, this role offers the chance to broaden your experience, develop leadership skills and help shape North Somerset's future.

What you'll do.

• Lead financial support for a capital programme worth over £300 million.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior officers, budget holders and project managers.
• Produce clear and accurate capital monitoring and forecasting reports.
• Support capital strategy development and long-term investment planning.
• Manage year-end capital accounting and statutory reporting requirements.
• Build strong partnerships across the Council and with neighbouring authorities.
• Support and develop staff within the Capital Finance Team.

This role offers a genuine opportunity to develop your leadership skills, manage staff and gain exposure to strategic financial decision-making at a senior organisational level.

The role.

We’re looking for a highly skilled and motivated Senior Accountant (Capital) to play a leading role in managing and developing our ambitious 5-year capital programme.

In this high‑impact role, you’ll provide expert financial insight, partner with services across the Council, and ensure our capital activities are delivered with accuracy, pace and professionalism. Your strong analytical skills, technical knowledge, attention to detail and confidence working with stakeholders at all levels will help drive excellent financial management across the organisation.

As a key member of our six‑person Capital Finance Team, you will:

• Support the development of the Council’s long‑term capital and asset‑based plans, ensuring alignment with Council priorities.
• Produce accurate, clear, timely monthly capital monitoring reports for project managers, budget holders, Directors and governance boards.
• Support year‑end capital activities, including asset register updates, funding reconciliations and preparation of statutory account notes.
• Work collaboratively with senior officers and neighbouring authorities on major projects such as MetroWest Rail, Birnbeck Pier, and support S106, CIL and VAT return responsibilities.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply your technical expertise in a varied, high‑profile role while making a real difference to our community.

What you will be doing:

• Provide high‑quality strategic financial advice to support the Council’s capital programme, working closely with the Finance Business Partner (Capital) and Section 151 Officer.
• You will help shape and maintain the Council’s multi‑year capital and asset plans, ensuring they align with our Corporate Plan, and contribute to the preparation of annual strategy reports for Cabinet and Council.
• You will support the production of monthly capital monitoring reports, providing clear, timely updates to project managers, budget holders, senior leaders and key governance boards. This includes oversight of capital expenditure, resources, internal recharges, and both existing schemes and new proposals.
• You will play a key role in year‑end processes, including closing the capital accounts, updating the asset register, and preparing supporting notes for the statutory accounts, and work directly with External Audit throughout the audit process.

About you.

We're looking for a proactive, customer‑focused senior finance professional who thrives in a dynamic environment. You’ll be confident managing multiple priorities, continuously seeking smarter ways of working, and delivering high‑quality support to stakeholders across the Council.

In this role, you’ll work closely with the Finance Business Partner (Capital) on complex accounting and budgeting matters, acting as a trusted point of contact for technical finance queries. You’ll bring strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.

You will bring:

• Fully qualified member if an accountancy body under s113 of the LGFA 1988 (includes CIMA).
• Significant post qualification experience in a public sector financial environment, demonstrating a thorough understanding/technical competence in complex activities.
• Completion and submission of external funding bids and grant claims.
• Knowledge and understanding of capital transactions at year-end, and preparation of notes for inclusion within the Statement of Accounts.
• Demonstrate ability to develop collaborative relationships with key stakeholders
• Previous experience of managing staff and the ability to set and meet deadlines.

Additional experience.

• Other higher-level qualification covering management or finance.
• Preparation of capital related policies, procedures and strategy reports.
• Knowledge and experience of preparation of other components within the Statement of Accounts.

Work style.

You can expect to work mainly from home, with around one to two days per month in the office at Weston-super-Mare, as well as attending meetings or focused work sessions where required. During induction, more office time may be helpful to support learning and development

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Local Government Pension.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled and Neurodiverse, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to apply.

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact information.

For further information about the role, please contact Lisa Smith, Finance Business Partner Capital: Lisa.smith@n-somerset.gov.uk | 07392 137999.

Important information.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Thursday 10 September 2026 to Thursday 17 September 2026.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal opportunities.

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining North Somerset Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.