Accountant

Civic Recruitment Limited; Northallerton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 101,000; Part time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking an Interim Accountant to support robust financial governance at our Northallerton location. The role focuses on balance sheet control, technical accounting, and treasury activities.

The successful candidate will lead reconciliations, manage VAT and regulatory reporting, and oversee the finance system (Xero). Local authority or public/private sector experience is preferred, with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Strong technical accounting expertise, including financial controls, balance sheet management, and statutory reporting.
• Experience delivering financial reporting in line with relevant accounting frameworks and standards.
• Proven ability to manage cash flow, treasury functions, and funding streams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead balance sheet control processes, ensuring reconciliations are accurate and audit-ready.
• Oversee technical accounting compliance and the production of high-quality financial statements.
• Manage reserves balances and funding streams with clear reporting and planning alignment.
• Oversee cash flow, banking and investment activities to maintain liquidity and treasury compliance.
• Prepare treasury reports for senior leadership and governance committees.
• Take ownership of VAT returns, government submissions, and regulatory reporting.
• Oversee income recognition and grant accounting with strong controls.
• Line manage and support an Accounts Assistant.
• Administer finance systems (including Xero) and drive process improvements.

Skills

Technical accounting

Cash flow management

Treasury functions

Regulatory reporting

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder communication

Education

CCAB-qualified accountant

AAT-qualified accounting technician

Tools

Xero

Job description

Northallerton, United Kingdom | Posted on 22/06/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors. In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions. Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

Interim Accountant

Location: Northallerton

Contract: Temporary – 2 Month Contract

Job Purpose

The Interim Accountant is integral to maintaining robust financial governance, control, and compliance within the organization. This role involves leading balance sheet management, technical accounting, and treasury functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting and adherence to statutory obligations. The ideal candidate will be a technically proficient and proactive finance professional, capable of thriving in a dynamic environment, upholding strong financial controls, and delivering clear financial insights to aid decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead balance sheet control processes, ensuring reconciliations are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
• Ensure technical accounting compliance with CIPFA standards, supporting the production of high-quality financial statements.
• Manage reserves balances and funding streams, ensuring clear tracking, reporting, and alignment with financial planning.
• Oversee organizational cash flow, banking, and investment activities to maintain strong liquidity and treasury compliance.
• Prepare clear and insightful treasury reports for senior leadership and governance committees.
• Take ownership of VAT returns, government submissions, and regulatory reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee income recognition and grant accounting, maintaining strong financial control and transparency.
• Line manage and support an Accounts Assistant, promoting high performance and continuous development.
• Administer finance systems (including Xero), strengthen financial processes, and drive continuous improvement across controls and reporting.

Skills & Experience

• Strong technical accounting expertise, including financial controls, balance sheet management, and statutory reporting.
• Experience delivering financial reporting in line with relevant accounting frameworks and standards.
• Proven ability to manage cash flow, treasury functions, and funding streams effectively.
• Experience overseeing VAT, grants, and regulatory reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and improve financial systems and processes.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience supporting and developing junior staff.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to senior stakeholders.

Qualifications & Requirements

Requirements:

• CCAB-qualified accountant, or AAT-qualified accounting technician (or equivalent), with significant post-qualification CPD and proven capability to deliver the responsibilities of this role.
• Previous Local Authority or Combined Authority experience.