Senior Financial Accountant, Ipswich

Job Description

• Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
• Address:Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• Salary:£53,460 -£63,013 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:Full Time, 37 hours per week
• Contract:Permanent

This role is open tofull time,part time, andjob share applications, all of whichwill be assessed equally.

Join our team

We are looking for aSenior Financial Accountantto join ourFinanceteam.

You will be joining ourFinance Teamat an exciting time as we look to transform the service we offer to stakeholders and drive forward financial performance.

If you shareour valuesand you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

This role forms a crucial part of the Finance Management Team, and you will be key to making operational finance decisions.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, areas of responsibility will include:

• assume day to day management of the Financial Control team with direct responsibility for three and a wider team of eight
• lead on the delivery of Statement of Accounts and be pivotal in transforming processes ensuring a strong internal control environment
• provide expert financial advice to the Finance Team and across the organisation
• develop, review and improve strategies, policies and procedures
• support the Head of Finance in writing and reporting on the Treasury, Capital and Investment Strategies for both councils
• Work with the Systems team to ensure smooth and timely reporting from the finance system as well as enabling self-service for managers for budget management and forecasting.

About you

You will:

• be a fully qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, CIPFA) with significant finance experience, supporting service teams within the public sector or a similar multi disciplined sector
• have corporate financial management experience, able to deliver Statement of Accounts to tight deadlines and liaise effectively with external auditors, providing explanations and answering queries
• be an excellent communicator with experience of reviewing business cases and financial appraisals providing expert advice and recommendations
• be comfortable dealing with people at all levels and working in a complex and sometimes challenging operating environment
• be an experienced team leader, personable and patient with the ability to motivate and provide a positive environment
• focus on delivery and strive for excellence and continual improvement of the finance service.

About us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Private Health Care Options.
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting).
• Great learning and development opportunities.

For more information, visit ourEmployee Benefits page.

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

For more information

If you wish to discuss the Hybrid working approach for this role, or for an informal discussion, please contactDavid Feveyear-Ward, to arrange a conversation, by emailing

Please read theJob Description and Person Specification (pdf)before applying for this job opportunity.

Closing date:5.00 pm, 12 June 2026.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

How to apply

Please ensure your:

• application form is fully completed, including employment and education history
• supporting statement clearly addresses how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification
• CV is attached to your application

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

About the Team

How to apply

Step 1 - read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (JD and PS).

Step 2 - complete the Supporting Statement template

Step 3 - complete the online application and upload your statement.

Your statement needs to indicate how you meet the criteria in the'Person specification'section of the (JD and PS)

Your statement should:

• Be no more than 2 sides of A4
• use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted)
• be uploaded on your online application, as without this, your interest will not be progressed.