Chief Accountant - Bexley - Interims

Akhirah Ltd; Bexleyheath; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council organization in Bexleyheath is seeking a Chief Accountant to oversee the production of financial accounts, ensure compliance with financial regulations, and manage a team of up to 10 staff. This hybrid role involves significant collaboration with external auditors and providing financial advice to decision-makers. A CCAB qualification is essential for applicants, alongside strong financial expertise and management skills.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in financial accounting and reporting.
• Ability to manage a team effectively.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage production of the Council's accounts.
• Advise on financial accounting regulations.
• Liaise with External Auditors.
• Manage VAT returns and corporate advice.

Skills

Financial accounting expertise

Team management

Relationship management

Compliance knowledge

Analytical skills

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 post holder will be required to come to the office once per week plus attendance at evening meetings as required.