Senior Accountant
Pertemps London
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/hr Contract: Interim / Temporary Client: 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 - Provide professional financial advice and business partnering support to service managers and senior leadership teams. - Lead on budget setting , in-year budget monitoring , forecasting and financial reporting for allocated service areas. - Produce accurate management accounts, financial analysis and performance reports to support strategic decision-making. - Monitor financial performance , identify budget pressures and recommend appropriate corrective actions. - Ensure compliance with CIPFA guidance , accounting standards, financial regulations and Council policies. - Support the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) , annual budget process and year-end closure of accounts. - Prepare grant claims, funding returns and statutory financial submissions to external organisations. - Develop and maintain effective financial controls, procedures and governance arrangements. - Support debt recovery and income management processes to maximise income collection. - Produce financial modelling , business cases and complex spreadsheet analysis using Excel and other financial systems. - Provide financial input into reports, restructures, committee reports and strategic decision papers. - Challenge existing financial processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, controls and service delivery. - Present complex financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders. - Support procurement, investment decisions and financial appraisals where required. - Build effective relationships with operational managers, senior leaders and external partners. - Mentor and support junior finance colleagues and, where applicable, supervise and develop finance staff. - Contribute to finance projects, service transformation initiatives and continuous improvement programmes. About You - Experience working within Local Government Finance or another large, complex public sector organisation. - A strong understanding of local authority financial management, governance and statutory accounting requirements. - Experience leading budget preparation, financial monitoring, forecasting and management reporting. - Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, financial modelling and data analysis. - Experience using financial management systems and reporting tools such as Power BI or equivalent. - Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial information and present clear recommendations. - Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge and influence senior managers. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non-finance audiences. Essential Requirements - Qualified Accounting Technician (AAT) or equivalent relevant finance qualification, or significant demonstrable experience. - Experience within Local Government Finance or a comparable public sector environment. - Strong knowledge of budget management, financial reporting and financial governance. - Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. - Experience working with corporate financial systems. Desirable - Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent). - Experience supporting Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) development. - Experience producing statutory returns and grant claims. - Previous staff management or supervisory experience. - Experience using Power BI or other business intelligence tools. 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.