Financial Accountant

Local Government

Salary - Circa £42K - £47K

Hybrid Working Pattern

I am currently working with a large unitary authority in Greater London (West) on the appointment of a number of Financial Accountant roles across its finance function.

These posts sit across different service areas and portfolios, offering a good opportunity for candidates with local government finance experience to move into broad, service-facing finance roles. The successful candidates will support budget managers and senior finance colleagues with financial analysis, budget monitoring, year-end activity and wider financial management across a complex public sector environment.

These are hands-on roles with a strong focus on supporting the day-to-day delivery of finance. You will be working closely with services to provide accurate financial information, practical advice and commercial insight, while helping to maintain effective financial processes, controls and reporting. The roles will suit candidates who enjoy working across a varied remit and building strong working relationships with both finance and non-finance colleagues.

The remit will include supporting budget preparation, monthly monitoring and year-end processes, contributing to financial modelling and business case work, assisting with service analysis, and helping budget managers understand financial information and required processes. There is also an expectation that postholders will help identify financial pressures and savings, contribute to regular monitoring meetings and support continuous improvement across the finance function.

Working as part of a wider finance team, Financial Accountants will also contribute to business change activity, support value for money work and provide advice on the application of financial regulations, procedures and standing orders. Depending on placement, the posts will support different parts of the organisation, so there is scope for candidates with a range of service finance backgrounds.

I am keen to speak with candidates who have experience in local government finance or in a similarly complex public sector setting, and who are comfortable working with budget holders, handling financial information and contributing to both immediate and longer-term financial decision-making. You will need strong organisational skills, sound financial judgement and the confidence to communicate clearly with a range of stakeholders.

To be considered, you will be able to demonstrate:

• experience in a finance role within a large and complex organisation.
• strong budgeting, monitoring and financial analysis skills.
• experience of supporting non-finance managers with financial information.
• the ability to prioritise workload and manage sensitive information appropriately.
• strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• a good understanding of the local government financial and political context, or the ability to transfer relevant public sector experience into this setting.

The authority is open to candidates who are full or part qualified CCAB/CIMA, or who can demonstrate relevant technical finance skills. Degree-level education or equivalent relevant experience is also required.

A number of posts are available across different areas, making this a strong opportunity for candidates from service finance, management accounting or financial support backgrounds to have a confidential discussion ahead of the formal campaign launch.

For a confidential conversation and to register your interest, please get in touch.