Job Description & Person Specification >
There has never been a better time to join our Finance team at Torbay Council. We have a real momentum building with a shared sense of purpose and ambition.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Corporate Finance service team for an Assistant Accountant - VAT. This is a varied and engaging role offering exposure to a wide range of technical VAT responsibilities within a local authority environment.
The role includes, but is not limited to:
- Preparation and submission of monthly VAT returns.
- Assisting with reconciliations between VAT ledger accounts and HMRC reclaim totals.
- Responding to routine VAT coding and treatment queries from finance colleagues and service areas.
- Supporting the preparation of schedules and evidence for internal and external audit, including HMRC information requests.
- Assisting with the maintenance and update of VAT policy documents and procedure notes.
- Contributing to the effective management of daily cashflow activities.
This role sits within a highly specialist and technical area of finance (VAT), providing an excellent opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge of VAT legislation and its application within a complex public sector setting. You will join a supportive and experienced team, with access to structured training, on-the-job learning, and opportunities for professional study.
As part of this role, you will be supported to build your expertise and progress within this specialist field, with a clear pathway towards more senior VAT role. This makes the role an ideal opportunity for someone looking to establish and grow a career in a technical area of public sector finance.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the
full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/assistant-accountant/
For an informal chat please contact Sarah Davis on 01803 201201 or [email protected].
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 22th June 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Essential:
- Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently, using own initiative and as part of a team.
- Ability to undertake a diverse workload and produce desired outcomes with deadlines, working with conflicting demands and priorities to meet deadlines.
- A flexible and adaptable communication style and able to communicate to a wider range of audiences.
- To be willing to learn and develop new skills.
- A high level of numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
Essential:
- Basic knowledge and understanding of accounting standards.
- Basic knowledge and understanding closing annual accounts.
- Basic knowledge and understanding book keeping of financial records.
- Basic knowledge and understanding costing, cashflow management and forecasting.
Essential:
- Educated to A level standard or equivalent.
- Experience of working within a financial/accountancy environment.
- Experience of working with information technology-based systems and PC based software.
Please review the available pages within the careers site.
A list of employer benefits can be found here.
