Chief Accountant

House of Commons; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Civil Service pension

Flexible working options

Job summary

House of Commons is seeking an experienced Chief Accountant to deliver strategic financial leadership across UK Parliament. You will oversee two specialist teams in accounting, planning, analysis and reporting, shaping financial strategy and ensuring strong governance.

The role involves leading medium-term planning, statutory reporting, and business-case scrutiny in collaboration with Lords and HM Treasury.

Qualifications

• Professional finance qualification required (CCAB or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of financial processes and accounting methodologies.
• Ability to lead teams and manage stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent communication to convey complex financial information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership across UK Parliament.
• Lead specialist teams in accounting, planning, analysis and reporting.
• Oversee financial planning, statutory reporting and annual accounts.
• Turn complex financial information into clear insights for senior leaders and committees.
• Champion a robust financial control environment and governance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

CCAB or equivalent

Job description

What You'll Be Doing

The House of Commons is looking for an experienced Chief Accountant to provide strategic financial leadership across UK Parliament. You will lead two specialist teams, bringing together financial accounting, planning, analysis and reporting to provide the insight and assurance needed to support major decisions at the heart of parliamentary democracy.

What You'll Be Doing

The House of Commons is looking for an experienced Chief Accountant to provide strategic financial leadership across UK Parliament. You will lead two specialist teams, bringing together financial accounting, planning, analysis and reporting to provide the insight and assurance needed to support major decisions at the heart of parliamentary democracy. This is an influential senior finance role with a unique breadth of responsibility. You will lead the House's medium-term financial planning, oversee statutory reporting and annual accounts, and champion a strong financial control environment. You will turn complex financial information into clear insight, identifying risks, opportunities and future scenarios to support senior leaders and Members. Working closely with the House of Lords, HM Treasury, the National Audit Office and key parliamentary committees, you will play a central role in shaping financial strategy and ensuring robust governance and accountability. You will also advise major programmes and projects, including through business case development and scrutiny. As an inclusive and inspiring leader, you will develop high-performing teams, promote continuous improvement and ensure finance continues to add value across the organisation. Join the House of Commons and bring your expertise to a role where financial leadership has a direct impact on how Parliament operates and serves the public. This role is offered on a hybrid working basis, with an expectation of you spending 40% of your time in the office. Find out more about working at the House of Commons.

Why Join us?

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one full working year.
• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Flexible working options that help you find a balance including enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.

What We're Looking For

• It is essential that the applicant holds a professional finance qualification (CCAB or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of financial processes and accounting methodology.
• Ability to lead individuals and teams to achieve organisational goals.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate simply and clearly to manage stakeholders' expectations.

Additional Information

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

As part of the selection process, you may be asked to complete a test or presentation at interview stage. Further information will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

We may close the vacancy prior to the closing date stated due to a high volume of applications.