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.