Job description Part Time (26 hours a week) - Fixed Term Contract for 6 Months “There are very few councils that wouldn’t be envious of Reading’s many advantages and opportunities, both as a place and as a council.” – source LGA Corporate Peer Challenge. Reading Borough Council are entering a period of exciting change. Despite the challenges facing local authorities, Reading is focused on improving the quality of life for residents, including investing in new leisure facilities, reducing our carbon footprint, improving customer service, and putting in place more self-enabling support within Social Care. The Council has also been successful in securing £19.1 million of Levelling-Up grant funding to revitalise Reading’s cultural offer by transforming the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and providing a modern new Central Library. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities. We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service. About the role Reporting to the Strategic Finance Business Partner for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, you will provide operational financial budgeting and Accounting advice to the Assistant Directors and Budget Managers across the directorate with a particular focus on the support of services including Planning, Transport, Waste and Management Services. You will also provide assurance to the Director of Finance about the robustness of the financial arrangements that are in place. You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this: Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed About you You will be a CCAB (or equivalent) qualified accountant with a passion for delivering world-class public services. You will be a strong finance voice, helping our Services. You will have significant experience of working in a local authority or public sector environment, with an excellent knowledge of the technical finance requirements involved. You will also have strong inter-personal skills, building excellent working relationships with officers at all levels of the organisation. Our offer We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including: Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave A wide range of flexible working opportunities Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS) On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax For more information on this position please contact Stephen MacDonald, Strategic Finance Business Partner, Stephen.macdonaldreading.gov.uk Closing Date: 27th November 2024 Interview Date: To be confirmed Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.