Accountant - Public Sector

Accountants in the public sector work for not-for-profit organisations such as the NHS, the Civil Service and local government. They are responsible for the use and administration of public money and aim to ensure that the organisation achieves value for money.

The Work

You could be:

• working with a set budget and monitoring the spending of individual departments


• designing and operating financial and management information systems


• preparing annual budgets and year-end accounts


• carrying out internal audits (examinations of departmental accounts)


• ensuring that legal records of financial transactions are kept properly


• providing financial advice to senior management


• preparing estimates on the costs of new projects


• working with management across the departments and making budget decisions


• costing competitive bids for new public sector contracts.

Conditions

• You would be office-based, but you may have to visit colleagues and attend meetings elsewhere. This might mean travelling distances and spending time away from home.


• You would usually work normal office hours, but you may sometimes have to work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines.


• You may be able to work flexitime or part time hours.


• You would do much of your work at a computer, using financial software packages or spreadsheet applications.

Getting In

• The qualifications for entry depend on the training route you choose.


• Most entrants have a degree. Any subject is acceptable, but accountancy, business studies, economics, finance, law and mathematics may give you exemption from parts of the professional examinations.


• For entry to a degree course you need 3-5 Highers, depending on the subject you want to study.


• An alternative is to start as a trainee accountancy technician. There are no set entry requirements but most employers prefer at least 4 Standard grades including English and Maths. Once qualified as an accountancy technician you can go on to full accountancy training.
• If you enter accountancy technician training with a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) you will get exemptions from certain exams.
• For entry to an HNC or HND course you need 1-2 Highers plus some Standard grades.


• You may be able to enter accountancy training with an employer if you have at least 3 Highers and 2 Standard grades, including English and Maths.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• ability with figures


• good IT skills


• a logical and analytical approach


• excellent written and verbal communication skills


• good problem-solving skills.

• work within tight budgets


• understand and handle complex information


• work as part of a team


• adjust figures to reduce waste and increase value


• work well under pressure and meet deadlines


• be discreet when handling confidential information.

Training

• You would work as a trainee, usually for about 3 years, while studying for the examinations of one of the professional accountancy bodies listed below (possibly CIPFA or ACCA). The regulations of these bodies vary. Details of entry requirements, examinations, exemptions and areas of specialisation are on the websites.


• You can study for the examinations by day or block release or evening classes, by distance or open learning or by a combination of these. You will have to study in your own time.


• The length of training varies depending on your initial entry qualifications.


• If you want to work as a registered company auditor, you must by law hold an audit qualification from a Recognised Qualifying Body (RQB). These bodies are: the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Association of International Accountants (AIA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

Getting On

• You can move around several organisations, perhaps including private accountancy firms or accountancy posts in industry, to widen your experience and gain promotion.
• You could progress to become director of finance for a public body.


• You might choose to move into general management, perhaps eventually achieving a senior post at director or chief executive level.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Some people enter accountancy as a second career. Individual accountancy professional bodies may have special training schemes for these applicants. You should check this with the association or institute concerned.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.