Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£59,772 per annum

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Southwark’s Professional Finance Services team as a Divisional Accountant, providing crucial financial and management accounting support to the Education and Schools Division. Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager for Education and Schools, you will take a lead role in supporting schools within the borough, particularly those facing financial pressures, and will be central to maintaining accurate and insightful monitoring of school budgets. In this varied role, you will build and maintain excellent working relationships with school leaders and education service colleagues, ensuring you are well informed of any financial developments that may impact budgets. This will enable you to produce reliable and timely monthly forecasts, along with high-quality financial reports that keep senior management and key stakeholders informed on budget performance and financial risks. You will support on the financial year-end process within the finance team, including working closely with external auditors to ensure accuracy and compliance. The role also involves leading on key statistical and grant returns, providing professional finance input on the allocation of resources, and supporting service managers with clear and accurate financial advice throughout the year. As part of your responsibilities, you will contribute to improving financial processes, supporting key projects across the Education service, and providing specialist advice that helps shape services for children and young people in the borough. This is a great opportunity to take on a meaningful role where your financial expertise will make a real difference to educational services and the wider community.

Experience
A professional accountancy qualification (CIPFA, ACA, CIMA, ACCA) or be part-qualified with relevant experience. In-depth knowledge of local government finance, including accounting, financial planning, and budget monitoring. Hands-on experience supporting Education or Schools finance, with a clear understanding of sector-specific challenges.

About you
We’re looking for a proactive finance professional who can bring strong technical skills and a collaborative approach to this key role. Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and present it clearly. Strong Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems (SAP knowledge is a plus). Experience delivering accurate financial forecasts, reports, and year-end accounts. The ability to build positive working relationships and communicate financial insights to both finance and non-finance colleagues. A commitment to continuous improvement, finding ways to enhance financial processes and support service objectives.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are required beyond the professional accountancy qualification mentioned above, but a positive attitude and a willingness to learn are essential.