Application Deadline: 21 June 2026 Department: Finance Location: Torbay Council Compensation: £31,537 - £34,434 / year Description 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 sarah.davis@torbay.gov.uk. 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. Skills 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. Knowledge 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. Experience & Qualifications 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.

No skills specified.

No benefits available.