Deputy Chief Accountant

About Us

Oxfordshire County Council iscommittedto leading positive change and making Oxfordshire a greener, fairer, and healthier county. We work in partnership with local communities, public sector organisations, and businesses to deliver high-quality services that support the wellbeing and prosperity of our residents. Our vision is underpinned by a set of clear priorities, including environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and continuous improvement in public services.

Oxfordshire is proud of its diverse communities. We are dedicated to promoting equality, supporting vulnerable people, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our teams are passionate about innovation, collaboration, and making a real difference for the people who live and work here.

Join us and be part of an organisation that values learning, kindness, integrity, and the courage to do things differently.

As Deputy Chief Accountant, you will support the Chief Accountant in maintaining and improving the council’s financial accounting systems and ensuring accurate, timely statutory reporting. You will coordinate the preparation of the annual Statement of Accounts, manage the final accounts timetable, and liaise with both internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues and deliver information to strict deadlines.

You will oversee the management of fixed asset reporting, capital balance sheet accounts, and ensure compliance with legislative and professional requirements. The role includes preparing capital accounting elements for final accounts, completing government returns, and working closely with external auditors. You will also maintain oversight of revenue hierarchies, support the development of finance policies and procedures, and manage a small team of Assistant Accountants.

This is a flexible role, offering the opportunity to work across various locations in Oxfordshire in line with the council’s agile working policy. You will play a key part in ensuring the council’s financial integrity and supporting high-quality public service delivery.

You are a CCAB qualified accountant with experience in planning and producing accounts for large, complex organisations within a statutory framework. You have a good understanding of financial policy, practices, and legislation, and possess excellent knowledge of capital accounting regulations.

You are confident working with external auditors and have strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate, and build productive relationships at all levels. Your credibility enables you to work effectively in a political environment and engage with senior managers, colleagues, and partners.

You are organised, proactive, and able to coordinate and deliver to tight deadlines. You are comfortable managing and supporting a team, and you thrive in a flexible, agile working environment.

At OCC, you’ll be part of a team that’s not only passionate about what we do, but also about how we do it. We foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and continuous improvement, and we’re proud to offer flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a strong sense of purpose in everything we do.

• Hybrid working - typically 3-4 days per month in our Oxford office for team collaboration, with flexibility to suit your role and lifestyle
• Culture of flexible working
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your growth
• Technology to support agile working
• Employee Assistance Programme including health and wellbeing support
• Generous annual leave - Up to 33 days plus bank holidays, and an option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local Government Pension Scheme – with employer contributions up to 19.9%
• Discounts – local and national offers for shopping and travel

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or…