Senior Accountant

A reputable London Local Authority is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant to join its Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with local government experience to provide high-quality financial management, business partnering and strategic financial advice across a range of council services.Location: London (Hybrid Working)Rate: 28.96 per/hrContract: Interim / TemporaryClient: x2 days office based Working closely with Finance Managers and senior stakeholders, you will play a key role in budget management, financial planning, statutory reporting and supporting informed decision-making across the organisation.Key Responsibilities\n

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• Provide professional financial advice and business partnering support to service managers and senior leadership teams.
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• Lead on budget setting, in-year budget monitoring, forecasting and financial reporting for allocated service areas.
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• Produce accurate management accounts, financial analysis and performance reports to support strategic decision-making.
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• Monitor financial performance, identify budget pressures and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
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• Ensure compliance with CIPFA guidance, accounting standards, financial regulations and Council policies.
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• Support the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), annual budget process and year-end closure of accounts.
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• Prepare grant claims, funding returns and statutory financial submissions to external organisations.
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• Develop and maintain effective financial controls, procedures and governance arrangements.
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• Support debt recovery and income management processes to maximise income collection.
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• Produce financial modelling, business cases and complex spreadsheet analysis using Excel and other financial systems.
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• Provide financial input into reports, restructures, committee reports and strategic decision papers.
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• Challenge existing financial processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, controls and service delivery.
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• Present complex financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
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• Support procurement, investment decisions and financial appraisals where required.
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• Build effective relationships with operational managers, senior leaders and external partners.
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• Mentor and support junior finance colleagues and, where applicable, supervise and develop finance staff.
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• Contribute to finance projects, service transformation initiatives and continuous improvement programmes.
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About You \n

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• Experience working within Local Government Finance or another large, complex public sector organisation.
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• A strong understanding of local authority financial management, governance and statutory accounting requirements.
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• Experience leading budget preparation, financial monitoring, forecasting and management reporting.
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• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, financial modelling and data analysis.
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• Experience using financial management systems and reporting tools such as Power BI or equivalent.
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• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial information and present clear recommendations.
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• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge and influence senior managers.
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• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non-finance audiences.
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Essential Requirements\n

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• Qualified Accounting Technician (AAT) or equivalent relevant finance qualification, or significant demonstrable experience.
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• Experience within Local Government Finance or a comparable public sector environment.
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• Strong knowledge of budget management, financial reporting and financial governance.
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• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
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• Experience working with corporate financial systems.
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Desirable\n

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• Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
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• Experience supporting Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) development.
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• Experience producing statutory returns and grant claims.
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• Previous staff management or supervisory experience.
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• Experience using Power BI or other business intelligence tools.
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Apply Now If you're an experienced Accountant or Senior Accountant with a background in local government finance and are looking for your next interim opportunity, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today with your up-to-date CV.