Systems Accountant

Systems Accountant

Colchester City Council

Colchester City Council is looking for a talented and motivated Systems Accountant to join its Corporate Services team. This is a key opportunity to help shape and strengthen the Council’s financial systems, ensuring they remain robust, efficient, and future-ready.

Reporting to the Deputy Section 151 Officer, you’ll play a central role in maintaining and developing the Council’s finance systems, ensuring they support the effective delivery of financial management, reporting, and statutory compliance. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the organisation and external partners to enhance system integration, improve processes, and deliver high-quality financial data.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and maintaining the Council’s financial systems, including the E-Financials Suite, Collaborative Planning, and Business Objects.
• Leading system upgrades, testing, and improvements to enhance functionality and integration with systems such as HR, Procurement, and Revenues and Benefits.
• Overseeing system configuration, workflows, and user access to ensure strong internal controls and data integrity.
• Developing and maintaining financial reporting tools and dashboards (e.g. Business Objects, Power BI).
• Supporting key financial processes including budget setting, forecasting, and annual accounts closure.
• Ensuring compliance with audit standards and supporting internal and external audit reviews.
• Providing system support and guidance to finance and service teams across the organisation.

About you:

You’ll have significant experience in a similar systems-focused finance role, ideally within local government or a large, complex organisation. A proactive problem solver with a strong technical mindset, you’ll have the ability to bridge the gap between finance and IT – ensuring systems and processes deliver meaningful insight and operational efficiency.

Holding a CCAB qualification (such as CIPFA, ACCA, or CIMA) or working towards one would be an advantage.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact in a forward-thinking authority, ensuring the continued strength and modernisation of its financial systems.