Accountant

Description:

South Yorkshire Police is seeking a Management Accountant to join its Corporate Finance Department in Sheffield. This pivotal role plays a key part in the organisation’s financial management, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the use of public funds. The position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the force’s strategic financial planning, manage financial reporting, and support operational teams through robust budget management and insightful analysis.

The successful candidate will work in a hybrid capacity, providing analytical financial guidance to senior managers, leading month-end processes, preparing detailed budget reports, and driving continuous improvement within the finance function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Senior Management Accountant in the annual budget setting process and guide Finance Officers in ensuring accurate financial planning, including growth, savings, and budget changes.

• Coordinate with the Finance Business Partnering (FBP) Team to ensure financial data integrity and consistency.

• Lead and manage the month-end processes, ensuring timely completion and producing comprehensive variance analyses.

• Prepare detailed budget monitoring reports covering business units, capital projects, grants, and savings appendices.

• Produce essential reports including Joint Independent Audit Committee (JIAC) documentation and other statutory/non-statutory financial returns.

• Oversee workforce plan reconciliations, ensuring pay records are accurate and updated promptly.

• Act as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for financial data requests, including Freedom of Information (FOI) queries.

• Champion the use of Business Intelligence tools for financial reporting and analysis, contributing to the ongoing development of systems such as Oracle.

• Lead system testing (UAT) for finance system upgrades and recommend process improvements.

• Manage and develop Finance Officers, providing leadership, coaching, and professional development.

• Deputise for the Senior Management Accountant when required, ensuring seamless continuity of service.

• Continuously seek process improvement opportunities in budget setting, monitoring, and forecasting for future financial years.

Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Fully qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with current professional membership.

• Strong, up-to-date management accounting knowledge and understanding of current accounting standards.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with large, complex ERP systems.

• Proven ability to produce and interpret complex financial data and reports.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building trust and credibility with senior managers and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team, manage performance, and develop staff capability.

• High attention to detail and ability to work effectively under pressure and to strict deadlines.

• Commitment to continuous professional development (CPD) and lifelong learning.

Benefits & Rewards:

• Competitive salary between £36,630 – £47,712 per year (approx. £3,052 – £3,976 per month).

• Generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement.

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements with flexi-time options.

• A wide range of family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confidential 24/7 support.

• Access to Blue Light Card, Cycle to Work Scheme, and Company Shop membership.

• Opportunities for professional growth through leadership and development programmes.

• Membership to the Sports and Social Club and access to various staff support networks.

• Commitment to sustainability and equality, aligning with the South Yorkshire Police Sustainability Strategy 2020–2025.