Divisional Accountant

Additional details

Do you see yourself supporting services that make a difference in children’s lives?

Can you use your financial expertise to help leaders make informed decisions?

Does the idea of joining a collaborative and purpose‑driven team excite you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Education Service is looking for a passionate and dedicated Divisional Accountant to join our amazing team and help make a difference today.

About the Role:

As the Divisional Accountant for Education, you will play a key role in supporting the financial management of the Education Division, with a strong focus on internal services. Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager for Education and Schools, you will:

• Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with budget holders to stay informed of developments across service areas.
• Use service insights to produce accurate monthly financial forecasts.
• Prepare high‑quality monthly finance reports for senior leaders, ensuring they remain fully informed of financial performance.
• Lead on year‑end closure activities, including liaison with auditors.
• Act as the finance lead for key statistical and grant returns.
• Provide financial support and professional advice on key projects across the service.

About You:

You’ll bring both expertise and enthusiasm to the role. We’re looking for someone who:

• Is fully or part‑qualified in a recognised professional finance qualification (e.g., CIPFA, ACA, CIMA, ACCA) or has relevant, demonstrable experience in a similar role.
• Is confident working with financial information and can communicate it clearly to non‑finance colleagues.
• Can build positive, productive relationships across teams and services.
• Has strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Is IT‑literate with sound knowledge of Excel and an ability to work with financial systems.

If you meet at least one of the qualification or experience requirements, we encourage you to apply.

About the Team:

The Education Finance team sits within the wider Children and Adults’ finance team and support the Education service, providing statutory support for maintained schools. The current role will be focussed on supporting the Education service, including monitoring, budget setting, year-end and relevant statutory returns and audit support.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Aron Brown at aron.brown@southwark.gov.uk.

Additional Information:

• Recognised professional finance qualification (e.g., CIPFA, ACA, CIMA, ACCA or relevant demonstrable experience in a similar role
• Hours of work: 36 hours per week
• Permanent
  

Benefits and more information:

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timeline:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 19th April 2026

Shortlisting date: Thursday 23rd April 2026

Interview/Assessment date: Wednesday 6th May 2026

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. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

About Southwark:

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Attachments

• Job Description and Person Specification - Divisional Accountant (Education)