Transition Accountant (Six month FTC)
3 days ago
Bridgwater
You will provide dedicated, time-limited accountancy and finance capacity to support the transition to a single operating model for the management of Somerset Council s 10,000 Social Housing Properties, from the current two operating models in time for the agreed go-live date. The postholder will lead and deliver all finance-related preparation for go-live, ensuring that financial systems, processes, controls, governance, reporting and budget management arrangements are fully designed, configured, tested and embedded. The role will also support cutover planning and early post-go-live stabilisation to ensure continuity of financial control and service delivery. Key Responsibilities Transition Planning, Cutover & Go-Live Readiness • Lead finance transition planning, ensuring all finance-related activities required for go-live are identified, sequenced and delivered., • Define and manage finance cutover arrangements, including treatment of accruals, prepayments, provisions, opening balances and straddling transactions., • Support preparation and validation of opening balances for the new operating model., • Develop and maintain a finance transition risk register and mitigation plan., • Lead the consolidation, redesign and implementation of the chart of accounts to support the enlarged 10,000-home organisation., • Configure and test financial systems to support new service structures, cost centres, budget holder responsibilities and reporting hierarchies., • Support data migration, system testing and validation of transferred financial data., • Support the establishment and embedding of budget holder responsibilities for transferring teams., • Design and implement budget structures, monitoring processes and reporting frameworks aligned to the new operating model., • Work with Heads of Service to ensure budgets are understood, ownership is clear and financial accountability is embedded., • Establish and/or review reconciliations for key balance sheet and control accounts to support a robust control environment at go-live., • Design and embed proportionate financial controls and month-end processes suitable for the enlarged organisation., • Review and support updates to financial regulations, schemes of delegation and key financial policies to reflect the new operating model., • Support the design and implementation of SLAs between the Council and the new operating model., • Ensure income streams (including management fees, service charges and recharges) are correctly set up within the finance system and aligned to accounting policies., • Work collaboratively with Council finance teams, new operating model colleagues and operational managers to deliver a smooth financial transition., • Act as a finance subject matter expert to transition workstreams and governance groups., • Design and deliver training, guidance and support for new budget holders and managers to enable effective financial management post-transfer., • Produce clear documentation of new or revised finance processes, controls and system configurations., • Ensure structured handover to permanent finance staff, embedding sustainable business-as-usual arrangements post-transition., • Identify any residual risks or unfinished actions for follow-up after the end of the fixed-term contract. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential • CCAB-qualified accountant (or equivalent experience)., • Strong experience in financial accounting within local government, housing, ALMO or a similar public sector environment., • Proven experience supporting finance system changes, restructures or organisational transitions., • Strong technical understanding of chart of accounts design, reconciliations, controls and financial reporting., • Experience of working in complex stakeholder environments and across organisational boundaries., • Experience of go-live or cutover support in finance transformation projects., • Highly organised and delivery-focused, with strong prioritisation skills., • Pragmatic and solutions-oriented, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving., • Comfortable operating in ambiguity and evolving organisational contexts. We want Homes in Somerset to be a great place to work, where colleagues are proud to work for the organisation. As well as working alongside some amazing colleagues to provide great services to our customers, we offer a range of benefits. • We recognise the importance of a work life balance and our hybrid working policy allows you to adapt., • Up to date, modern equipment provided whether working at home or in the office. We also offer a contribution towards the cost of a desk., • Generous holiday allowance which rises with service., • You ll be auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution., • We pay more than the statutory parental leave and work with you to balance work and life commitments., • We offer a 24-hour helpline and access to welfare and lifestyle advice, including counselling. We have also supported colleagues to become Mental Health First Aiders., • Great learning and development opportunities., • We celebrate success linked to our values including HiS Heroes and long service., • Access to discounts for sport, leisure, and entertainment activities via our benefits platform.