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Deputy Chief Accountant (Financial Accountant)

Posted: 02/03/26
Recruiter:Hays
Reference:3077784906
Type:Permanent
Salary:£50,000 Annual
Location:Oxford, Oxfordshire
Description: Financial Accountant - £50,000+ - Permanent - Oxford (Mostly remote)

Your new company
This is an exciting opportunity to join a public service organisation and deputise the Chief Accountant. The purpose of the role is to provide critical support on year end processes as well as overseeing a small transactional team.

Your new role
As the successful candidate your responsibilities will include:

  • Support the Chief Accountant in maintaining and improving financial accounting systems.
  • Ensure accurate and timely statutory reporting in line with legislative and professional requirements.
  • Coordinate the preparation of the annual Statement of Accounts and manage the final accounts timetable.
  • Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to resolve accounting issues and meet strict reporting deadlines.
  • Oversee fixed asset reporting and the management of capital balance sheet accounts.
  • Prepare capital accounting elements for final accounts and complete required government returns.
  • Work closely with external auditors, providing information and supporting audit processes.
  • Maintain oversight of revenue hierarchies and contribute to the development of finance policies and procedures.
  • Manage and support a small team of Assistant Accountants, ensuring high quality output and professional development.
  • Operate flexibly across multiple locations in line with agile working practices.
  • Play a key role in safeguarding financial integrity and supporting high quality service delivery.

What you'll need to succeed
To be the successful candidate, you will need:
  • CCAB qualified or part-qualified accountant with experience planning and producing accounts for large, complex organisations within a statutory framework.
  • Strong understanding of financial policy, professional practices, relevant legislation, and capital accounting regulations.
  • Confident working with external auditors and managing audit related queries and processes.
  • Skilled stakeholder manager with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build productive relationships at all levels.
  • Credible and effective when engaging with senior managers, colleagues, and external partners.
  • Highly organised and proactive, able to coordinate workstreams and deliver to tight deadlines.
  • Experienced in managing and supporting a team, fostering high performance and professional development.
  • Thrives in flexible, agile working environments and adapts well to changing priorities.
  • Experience working in either local government or practice environments is desirable but not essential.

What you'll get in return
As the successful candidate, you will receive:
  • Hybrid working model, typically involving 1 day per week in the Oxford office for team collaboration, with flexibility to suit individual roles and lifestyles
  • Supportive culture that promotes flexible working
  • Strong learning and development opportunities to encourage ongoing growth
  • Employee Assistance Programme offering health and wellbeing support
  • Generous annual leave entitlement - up to 33 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
  • Enhanced family friendly policies
  • Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions up to 19.9%
  • Access to a wide range of local and national discounts for shopping and travel


  • What you need to do now
    If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
    If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career. #

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