Principal Accountant with ref. TD4834523

Principal Accountant

Job Title:	Principal Accountant
Contract Type:	Temporary
Location:	East Sussex
Industry:	4Recruitment Services Careers
Salary:	£25 per hour
REF:	TD4834523
Contact Name:	Toni Dunkley
Contact Email:	enquiries@4recruitmentservices.com
Job Published:	about 4 years ago

Job Description

Principal Accountant| Eastbourne

Key Duties

Be the technical lead for Financial Accounting serving Lewes and Eastbourne Councils, providing strategic advice to members, directors and assistant directors, their companies, and stakeholders in accordance with the Councils’ corporate plan, company business plans, priorities and values.
To act as the lead coordinator for the annual production of the both Councils and other stakeholders Statement of Accounts, maintain the integrity underpinning chart of accounts, balances and transactions to facilitate all aspects of statutory and management reporting.
To manage day to day activity within the Financial Accounts team, including design and implementation of processes and procedures for other staff to follow.
To provide technical accounting advice to Councils staff to ensure that best practice and relevant accounting standards and guidance is adhered to, while ensuring strong financial governance framework is provided that meets the needs of both Councils objectives.
To deputise for the Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO), as may be reasonably required from time to time in relation to day to day accountancy, controls, strategic treasury management activities, banking and cash management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

Membership of appropriate professional body e.g. CIPFA, or other CCAB body.
Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
Educated to a degree level
Key knowledge and intelligence of changing financial legislation and initiatives that impact on the public sector
Local Authority knowledge and intelligence

Desirable

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

Ability to analyse complex information, focussing on the key financial drivers
Highly advanced financial modeller
Ability to explain financial information effectively to staff with a non-financial background.
Able to influence directors and members as appropriate

Ability to influence, persuade and negotiate at a high level in order to facilitate critical decisions being reached.
Ability to understand and translate complex issues into timely and innovative solutions.
A flexible and challenging disposition.
Excellent communication skills

Desirable

Politically aware and sensitive
A creative and innovative approach
Strong motivational abilities
Experience of managing staff members, preferably extending to management of a small team.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Strong experience in accountancy, including budgeting, monitoring, reconciliations, financial modelling and end of year reporting
Proven ability to manage and deliver a demanding workload
Management of finance staff
Senior management experience at both an operational and a strategic level
Local Authority exposure and experience
Experience of board level participation and membership
Successful delivery of VFM and performance improvements
Successful delivery of a governance and a control framework in support of performance improvements

Desirable

Experience in a local authority or private sector financial environment with experience producing the Accounts, as appropriate
Strong post qualification experience
Political awareness
Change management awareness

For more information on this role, please contact Toni Dunkley on 02085149146 or email toni.d@4recruitmentservices.com