Public finance accountant
Public finance accountants make sure money is spent properly in public sector organisations.
Typical Salary
£25,000 – £60,000
per year
Working Hours
37–39
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a public finance accountant you could:
- prepare financial records and statements
- make sure records meet legal and ethical standards
- monitor spending and cashflows
- advise treasury departments on investments and borrowing
- manage an organisation's financial systems and processes
- conduct internal audits
- present reports to boards and budget holders
Skills needed
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- maths knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- administration skills
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to work well with others
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- the ability to use your initiative
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- training with a professional body
Career progression
With experience you could become a senior accountant, move into management or progress to a director of finance position.
You could also move into private practice or management accountancy.
You could use your skills and experience to work in higher education or teach in further education.