Public sector needs talented accountants

With looming spending cuts putting pressure on central and local government to deliver more for less, public sector accountancy jobs have come under the spotlight. Financial skills and experience are required now more than ever to drive cost saving measures across the public sector.

Expertise in demand includes budget management; change management and experience of delivering major programmes of change; and resource accounting, reports Accountancy Age.

Financial managers and accountants will have a vital role to play in shaping the future strategy of their organisations.

Peter Kane, director of performance and finance at the Home Office, said:

“We can attract and retain good staff by highlighting the scale of the challenge and opportunities for the finance community over the next three to five years. It is a chance to be at the centre of the action and to demonstrate that we can add real value to our businesses.

“At the Home Office and in the wider public sector, it is a time when some of the most exciting and interesting jobs will be offered. We will need to be tough, resilient and agile in responding to the demands now placed upon us.

“We have to challenge any impression that we are simply back office or an overhead ­ not only is this bad for morale, but it ignores the fact that frontline services can only operate effectively if they have outstanding support from finance. We need to demonstrate that we are lean and add real value.”