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/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.