Assistant Accountant

Job description

Secondment Opportunity (initially 6 Months)

Full Time - 37 hours per week

INTERNAL ONLY (DCC Employees Only)

A secondment opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Accountant working full time in the Finance - Inclusion and Learning. If you are an effective communicator and inspiring team member with first class interpersonal skills we want to hear from you.

Excellent IT and analytical skills with a sound understanding of accounting principles are also essential, as is the ability to organise and prioritise often conflicting workloads to achieve results accurately and on time.

It is an exciting time to be joining our finance team, we have several key transformation projects getting under way which will define our service for years to come.

You will have a key role in supporting Inclusion and Learning to deliver statutory duties with Schools, ensuring systems are fit for purpose, remain relevant in an ever-changing environment, and deliver our fundamental purpose of securing excellent financial stewardship and probity.

• Budget preparation, monitoring and reporting
• Funding and compliance support of the Dedicated Schools Grant
• Financial support to budget holders
• Data analysis and financial stewardship.
• Team support

• To provide line management to finance officers within the Schools team.
• To develop a comprehensive understanding of issues relating to formulaic distribution of resources within the Dedicated Schools Grant and apply this to developing distribution of budgets for use by others.
• To undertake budget preparation, monitoring and associated reconciliation work, analysing and assessing the impact on all aspects of schools of various types and sizes.
• To assist the Senior Accountant and Schools in budget preparation, monitoring, closedown and review of school budgets.
• To be key point of contact for schools, responding directly to complex queries in respect of budget planning, monitoring and transactional issues.
• To provide high-quality financial advice to headteachers, business managers, administrators and bursars to assist with financial management of budgets.
• To support schools to understand and apply national funding formula and other school grants funding to their individual settings.
• To assist on the modelling of the premium charges for the Schools Mutual Fund, preparing and presenting reports to the Mutual Fund Board; and monitor and report on various centrally retained schools related budgets. Ensure that modelled options are affordable and sustainable into the medium term,

• 26 days annual leave per year (rising with length of service) plus Bank Holidays effective from 1 April 2024
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme - more information can be found on the Peninsula Pensions website
• Access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme - available 24/7 to support you with personal and work life
• Flexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role)
• Discounts from local and high street retailers through the Devon Discounts scheme

Interview Date: 23/02/2026

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Adrian Fox.

Please complete an application form by 18 February 2026. The statement should demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the job description.

Internal Applicants, please note:
If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit:
  Work in the UK -  ().
• This role requires a DBS disclosure.