Cirencester Town Council

Cirencester Town Council has been accredited as a Quality Gold council. The Quality Gold Award is evidence based and independently assessed demonstrating that a council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development. Quality Gold councils provide leadership for their communities, bringing people together, have excellent business planning processes, ensuring value for money as well as constantly seeking new innovations and opportunities to improve.

• Advent Festival & Christmas Lights
• Allotments
• Bus Shelters
• CCTV
• Civic Events
• Closed Churchyard
• Community Response
• Grant Aid
• Local Information Centre (LIC)
• Markets & Events
• Mop Fair
• Neighbourhood Planning
• Skate Park
• Open Spaces
• Youth Provision

What We Do

We want to be the best we can be because we are passionate about making a difference in practical and meaningful ways for the community we serve. That’s why in 2022 we invited the National Association of Local Councils and the Local Government Association to undertake a Corporate Peer Challenge. Following various recommendations the Town Council prepared an action plan and has undertaken steps to improve and develop as an organisation. Progress against this action plan and the recommendations has been reviewed and the report is now published.
Read the Report

Corporate Peer Challenge - Progress Review

Cirencester Town Council’s annual budgets and list of payments can be found via the links below, along with various background documents relating to our budgets and actual expenditure.

The Council's principal policies are available to view and download via the link below.

Each year a comprehensive report on Cirencester Town Council’s activities is published. You can view and download the most recent annual report and our archive of reports from the link below.

If you would like any further information or a hard copy of a particular document, please call into our Local Information Centre, or email info@cirencester.gov.uk or call 01285 655646.

Cirencester Town Council is an award-winning employer which supports continuous staff development and training. The Council is a forward-thinking local council dedicated to making a difference in practical and meaningful ways for the community we serve. We are currently seeking an experienced and dynamic Finance Officer to join our team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the effective financial management of local government services and help ensure transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public funds.

Finance Officer
Location: Cirencester 
Job Type: Permanent Part-Time (22.5 hrs pw)
Salary: SCP36 (£45,718) to SCP41 (£50,788) Pro rata
Level: Level 4, Professional 

Key Responsibilities:
Prepare and oversee financial reporting, including PAYE returns, VAT returns, and month-end/quarterly reports, ensuring compliance with local government regulations.
Assist the Chief Executive Officer as Lead Officer for the Finance and Audit Committee and RFO, contributing to the preparation of the medium-term financial plan, year-end accounts, and budget estimates.
Oversee payroll functions, ensuring the accurate processing of PAYE and superannuation.
Reconcile all ledger control accounts and bank statements, maintaining accurate financial records.
Manage and support the internal control systems, liaising with Internal and External Auditors to ensure that financial processes meet required standards.
Help prepare and submit the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) to the External Auditor.
Manage routine bookkeeping functions, including petty cash, and ensure the accuracy of all financial transactions.
Produce management accounts and provide financial reports and advice to the Senior Management Team.
Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and governance regulations, offering financial advice to Lead Officers/Members.
Provide administrative support and financial oversight to the Council and charitable trusts, including issuing official orders and invoices.
Oversee financial administration across service areas, ensuring consistency and efficiency in financial operations.

 Key Requirements:
Proven experience in financial management, accounting, or a related field, ideally within the local government sector.
Strong understanding of local government financial regulations, PAYE, VAT, and other compliance requirements.
Experience in preparing and managing budgets, financial planning and reporting.
Knowledge of reconciliation processes for ledger control accounts and bank statements.
Familiarity with internal audit systems and working with auditors to ensure financial transparency.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear financial advice and liaise effectively with staff, members and auditors.
Proficiency with financial software systems, accounting packages, and spreadsheet applications.
Relevant professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIPFA, or equivalent, are desirable but not essential.

Further Information:
Job Description & Person Specification,
Competetency Framework
Financial Information - please see link at the top of this page
Recruitment Privacy Notice
Recruitment & Selection Policy

Additional Benefits include:
• Flexible working policy 
• Access to the Local Government or NEST Pension Schemes
• Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
• Access to 24hr health and wellbeing support
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to Apply:
If you are a finance professional with a passion for local government and want to make a difference in your community, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your qualifications and experience to Johan Newman, Deputy CEO (email: johan@cirencester.gov.uk) by midday on Friday, 24th January. T: 01285 655646 for further information.

Interviews will take place w/c 3/02 and 10/02.

Cirencester Town Council is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to ensure that all applicants are given equal consideration for employment, regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or age.