Chief Accountant

Chief Accountant 
Rate: £100 per hour
Contract: 6 months
Working Pattern: Hybrid (1 day per week in the office + occasional evening meetings)

Are you an experienced senior finance professional ready to take on a high-impact interim role within a leading London local authority? We’re seeking a CCAB-qualified Chief Accountant to lead the Council’s Financial Accounting function and play a pivotal role in shaping strong financial governance.

The Role
Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance & Property, you will take strategic and operational ownership of the Council’s financial accounting activities, ensuring compliance, transparency, and high-quality reporting.
You will lead a team of up to 10 FTE, acting as the Council’s primary expert on financial accounting regulations and key advisor to the statutory Section 151 Officer.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Lead the production of the Council’s Single Entity and Group Accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Act as the Council’s expert advisor on financial accounting standards and regulations.
• Oversee the Council’s system of financial controls, ensuring key reconciliations are completed to the required frequency (monthly/quarterly/yearly).
• Manage senior-level relationships with External Auditors, ensuring a smooth and transparent audit process.
• Lead the year-end capital and asset accounting processes.
• Present complex financial information to directors and councillors, where appropriate.
• Ensure your team provides specialist accounting advice to support budget holders, business case modelling, and corporate decision-making.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of VAT returns, and provide corporate VAT advice.
• Take overarching responsibility for the Balance Sheet, ensuring accuracy and robust controls.
• Act as the day-to-day system owner for the Council’s core financial systems, driving improvements and enhancing reporting capabilities.

About You

• CCAB-qualified (essential).
• Significant senior experience within Local Government financial accounting.
• Strong technical expertise across financial controls, capital accounting, VAT, and statutory accounts.
• Confident leading teams and presenting to senior stakeholders, including elected members.
• Comfortable managing complex audits and external auditor relationships.
• Able to work in a hybrid environment with regular office attendance.

If you meet the above criteria and would like to apply for this role, please email your updated CV to m.barry@baltimoreconsultingltd.com or call Maddison Barry on 0117 313 7110
 
Our clients are passionate about creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant.  Recruiting decisions are based on your experience and skills.  Any reasonable adjustments in the workplace will be fully supported during the application and hiring process.
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