Chief Accountant – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Redditch; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council are seeking an experienced Chief Accountant to lead technical accounting and financial reporting across both authorities. The role is hybrid, with at least one day on site, and a 6-month temporary contract.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance, you will oversee annual Statements of Accounts, manage a small team, ensure robust governance, and advise senior managers and external auditors on complex financial matters.

Qualifications

• Fully CCAB-qualified accountant (CIPFA/ACCA/ICAEW).
• Minimum of five years' post-qualification experience.
• Experience preparing local authority Statements of Accounts.
• Experience managing and developing finance staff.
• Experience budgeting in a complex financial environment.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and delivery of the annual Statements of Accounts for two councils.
• Maintain balance sheets, fixed asset registers and general ledger controls.
• Coordinate revenue and capital budgets and monitor performance and savings delivery.
• Oversee treasury management including cash flow and borrowing.
• Develop and lead a team of technical accounting staff.
• Liaise with external auditors on accounts and systems.
• Ensure strong governance, internal controls and process improvements.
• Provide financial advice to service managers and senior leaders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Education

Degree-level qualification

GCSEs in Maths and English

Job description

Chief Accountant

Organisation: Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council
Location: Hybrid - ideally at least one day per week onsite
Contract: 6 months, temporary
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: Negotiable

About the Role

Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council are seeking an experienced Chief Accountant to lead their technical accounting and financial reporting functions across both authorities.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance and Customer Services, you will play a key role in ensuring the councils maintain robust financial controls, meet statutory reporting deadlines and manage their financial resources effectively.

You will lead a small team of finance professionals, oversee the preparation of the annual Statements of Accounts and provide specialist financial advice to senior managers and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of the annual Statements of Accounts for both councils, ensuring compliance with IFRS, CIPFA requirements and statutory deadlines.
• Manage and maintain the councils' balance sheets, fixed asset registers and general ledger controls.
• Coordinate revenue and capital budgets, support the annual budget-setting process and monitor financial performance and savings delivery.
• Oversee treasury management activities, including cash flow, borrowing, lending and the effective management of council funds.
• Manage and develop a team of technical accounting, systems and reconciliation staff, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are achieved.
• Liaise with external auditors regarding annual accounts, accounting requirements and financial systems.
• Oversee financial reconciliations, accounting systems development, capital programmes and corporate finance budgets.
• Maintain accurate grants records and ensure external funding is correctly recorded and allocated.
• Provide financial advice and guidance to service managers, assistant directors and senior leadership.
• Ensure strong financial governance, effective internal controls and continuous improvement across accounting processes.

Essential Requirements

• Fully CCAB-qualified accountant, such as CIPFA, ACCA or ICAEW.
• Minimum of five years' post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience preparing local authority Statements of Accounts.
• Experience managing and developing finance staff.
• Strong experience managing and monitoring budgets within a complex financial environment.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting and relevant regulations.
• Ability to think strategically, communicate effectively and work with stakeholders at all levels.
• Full driving licence.

Desirable Requirements

• Degree-level qualification.
• Five GCSEs at grades A-C, including Maths and English.

We're Looking For

We are looking for a technically strong and experienced finance professional with a background in local government accounting. You will be confident leading year-end accounts processes, managing a team and advising senior stakeholders on complex financial matters.

You will have excellent organisational and communication skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to deliver accurate financial reporting within challenging deadlines.

Contract Details

• Contract length: 6 months
• Working hours: 37 hours per week
• Working arrangement: Hybrid, with ideally at least one day per week onsite
• Rate: Negotiable

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced local authority finance professional to make a significant contribution to the financial management and reporting of two councils.