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Accountant - Public finance

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Career outlook for accountant - public finance

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£22,000

Experienced

£65,000

Currently employed in Scotland

12,300

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would help a public organisation to manage its finances so taxpayers know that their money is being spent properly.

You would work for organisations like:

  • Government departments
  • Local councils
  • Housing associations
  • Charities
  • The NHS
  • Universities

Your key tasks would be financial reporting and control. You’d need a logical and methodical approach.

You would:

  • Prepare financial records and statements
  • Estimate the cost of new projects
  • Review budgets and investments
  • Check spending and cash flows
  • Allocate money to projects and departments
  • Analyse the effectiveness of services to the public
  • Manage the organisation's financial systems
  • Do internal audits

You would also do presentations to managers and the board that runs the organisation to explain more about its financial situation and management.

It would be useful to know about public policy and business.

Working conditions

Hours

You would typically work standard office hours, Monday to Friday, although you may need to work later at busy times such as the end of the financial year. Part-time work and job sharing may be available.

Environment

You would be office-based, and the dress code is usually formal.

UK employment status

Full-time

75%

Part-time

15%

Self employed

10%

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Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Verbal communication
  • Working with technology
  • Problem solving
  • Working with numbers
  • Observation
  • Attention to detail
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management
  • Analysing
  • Understanding

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

Most entrants have a degree (SCQF level 9/10).

Entry to an accounting degree requires a minimum of four Highers at BBBC or relevant HNC/HND or work-based qualifications.

You can also get in to the role by obtaining work-based qualifications such as a Modern Apprenticeship in Accountancy (SCQF level 5/6/8).

Some companies run accountancy trainee programmes; entry requires qualifications at SCQF levels 4 to 6 to include at least three Highers (SCQF level 6).

With a degree in accountancy, economics, mathematics, business, finance or law you can get exemptions from some parts of the professional qualifications. 

Some accountants start their careers as Accounting technicians.

Useful subjects

  • English (required by many courses and employers)
  • Maths (required by many courses and employers)
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Statistics
  • Business subjects
  • ICT subjects

You will also need

Once in the job you must gain professional qualifications and register with one of the accountancy professional bodies.

Explore more information about this job

Qualifications in finance