Chief Accountant

Raynet Recruitment Ltd; Bexleyheath; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government recruitment agency is seeking a Chief Accountant responsible for managing the Council's financial accounting functions. The role entails overseeing the preparation of accounts, liaising with auditors, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Candidates must possess a CCAB qualification and demonstrate effective leadership in financial management. This is a hybrid role requiring weekly office attendance and flexibility for evening meetings.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing financial accounting functions.
• Proven track record in financial controls and compliance.
• Ability to liaise with external auditors effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage the production of the Council's Single entity and Group accounts.
• Hold responsibility for the system of financial controls.
• Liaise with External Auditors at a senior level.
• Oversee completion of VAT returns and corporate advice on VAT issues.
• Manage system improvements in the Council's financial systems.

Skills

Financial accounting regulations

Financial controls management

Relationship management with auditors

Team leadership

Education

CCAB qualification

Job description

Job Title: Chief Accountant

Team: Finance & Technical Accounting

Management Group: Finance and Corporate Services

Reports to: Deputy Director of Finance and Property

Responsible for: This role has overall responsibility for managing staff up to 10 FTE

Main purpose of the job

• To manage the production of the Council's Single entity and Group accounts.
• To be the primary expert on financial accounting regulations and be the primary advisor on this subject matter to the Council’s statutory section 151 Officer.
• To hold the day‑to‑day responsibility for the Council’s system of financial controls, ensuring that all key reconciliations are produced monthly, quarterly or yearly depending on their importance and the regularity.
• To regularly liaise and manage relationships with the External Auditors at a senior level.
• To manage the end‑of‑year capital and asset accounting processes.
• To manage the financial accounting function and present to directors and councillors on the matter, where appropriate.
• To ensure that the team provide specialist financial accounting advice to budget holders and officers in other parts of Finance to support decision‑making and financial modelling of major business cases.
• To manage the completion of VAT returns and corporate advice on VAT issues.
• To have overarching responsibility for the Balance Sheet.
• To manage system improvements in the Council’s core financial systems and improve reporting capabilities, as the day‑to‑day system owner.

CCAB qualification required.

This is a hybrid role and the postholder will be required to come to the office once per week plus attendance at evening meetings as required.