Corporate Accountant

Job description

Corporate Accountant

Location: Headquarters, Ripley

Salary: £48,738 - £54,143 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time (37 hour per week)

Closing date:  Midnight on 25 October 2026

About Us 

At Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, we’re more than an emergency service—we’re a team of over 900 dedicated people working together to make Derbyshire safer every day. Whether it’s responding to emergencies, preventing incidents before they happen, or supporting our frontline teams behind the scenes, every role here makes a real difference.

We’re proud to be one of the country’s top-performing fire and rescue services, recently rated ‘Good’ in 9 out of 11 areas by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). This recognition reflects the professionalism, progress, and dedication of our people.

With a clear focus on development, we offer continuous learning opportunities for all employees—operational and professional support teams alike—because when our people grow, our Service gets stronger.

We work closely with partners across emergency services, health, and local government to deliver joined-up support where it’s needed most. And through it all, we remain focused on what matters: Making Derbyshire Safer Together.

The Role

We’re looking for a Corporate Accountant to join our Corporate Financial Services team. Reporting to the Head of Accountancy, you will help provide a comprehensive and efficient accountancy service in accordance with recognised national standards. This is a varied and rewarding role combining technical accounting, financial planning, budget support, financial reporting and assurance, with regular contact across the Service and with external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

As a Corporate Accountant, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Producing clear financial information, analysis, forecasts and advice for senior officers, Members and budget holders.
• Supporting annual budget setting, medium-term financial planning, budget monitoring and the identification of financial risks and emerging pressures.
• Supporting the annual closedown and preparation of the Statement of Accounts, including technical working papers, financial disclosures and audit evidence.
• Interpreting and applying statutory, regulatory and professional accounting requirements, and helping maintain effective controls, reconciliations, policies and procedures.
• Liaising with internal and external auditors and supporting the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Preparing statutory and statistical returns, financial reports, briefing notes and committee reports within required timescales.
• Providing financial analysis, modelling, technical advice and assurance for corporate projects, service change and key organisational initiatives.
• Supporting and training colleagues as appropriate, helping to maintain accurate financial systems, ledger data and timely reconciliations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

You will be an enthusiastic and credible finance professional with strong written and verbal communication skills, able to explain complex financial matters clearly to non-financial managers and senior stakeholders. You will be organised, numerate and capable of analysing complex issues, recommending practical solutions and delivering accurate work to tight deadlines, both independently and as part of a small team.

You must hold a full AAT qualification or be a part-qualified accountant. Experience of budget setting, medium-term financial planning, monitoring and forecasting complex budgets, and producing audit-ready evidence is also essential. A CCAB qualification is desirable.

Experience in a public sector or local government finance environment is desirable. We will support your continuing professional development and help you broaden your technical and practical accountancy experience.

Please see the attached Job Description / Person Specification for more information about this exciting role.

What We Offer in Return

We believe in rewarding our people with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• Flexible working hours
• Family friendly policies
• Free car parking
• Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations
• Employee discount scheme (Blue Light)
• Employee support networks
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

Reference 225667242