A local authority is looking for an experienced Group Accountant Technical to join its Financial Services team. This is a senior technical accounting role with responsibility across revenue, capital and treasury accounting, as well as the corporate year-end accounts process.
You'll play a key role in ensuring the authority's financial accounts, budgets and statutory returns are accurate, compliant and delivered within tight deadlines.
The Role
You will:
Coordinate the corporate year-end and final accounts process, including preparation of the Statement of Accounts and consolidated accounts.
Provide technical advice on Local Government accounting standards, legislation and best practice.
Lead and oversee revenue and capital accounting, including budget preparation, monitoring and year-end closure.
Support and oversee Treasury Management, including borrowing, investments, banking and cash management.
Prepare and contribute to the Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Strategy.
Oversee ledger management, reconciliations and the integrity of the corporate financial ledger.
Provide advice on VAT, CIS and other taxation matters within a local government environment.
Liaise with internal and external auditors, treasury advisors and other external organisations.
Ensure statutory and regulatory returns are completed accurately and within required deadlines.
Provide financial advice and guidance to finance colleagues and budget holders.
Lead, manage and develop a team of up to 15 staff, ensuring workloads, performance and deadlines are effectively managed.
About You
You'll have:
An accountancy qualification or equivalent, such as AAT, with a CCAB-recognised qualification desirable.
Extensive experience of Local Authority Accounting and relevant legislation and Codes of Practice.
Strong knowledge of the CIPFA Code of Practice, Service Reporting Code, Prudential Code and Treasury Management Code.
Experience preparing Local Authority statutory accounts and managing year-end closure.
Strong knowledge of ledger systems, taxation and financial reporting.
Experience of treasury management, capital accounting and budget monitoring.
Previous experience of managing, motivating and developing a finance team.
Excellent analytical, communication and organisational skills, with strong attention to detail.
The ability to interpret changes in legislation and accounting guidance and clearly explain their impact to others.
Working Arrangement
The role is offered on an hybrid basis - office attendance required 2 days a week. There may also be occasional travel to other authority sites and attendance at meetings or seminars.
If you have strong Local Authority accounting experience and are looking for a senior technical role covering revenue, capital, treasury and statutory accounts, we'd be keen to hear from you
Salary description
£24.46 - £32.17 per hour