Closedown Accountant

Sellick Partnership; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Sellick Partnership is assisting a Local Authority in the United Kingdom with an experienced Closedown Accountant to join its Corporate Finance team during the annual accounts close and external audit period.

The role focuses on leading designated areas of the year-end closedown, preparing Statements of Accounts, and liaising with external auditors to ensure timely delivery and audit-ready working papers. This is a high-value interim assignment with hybrid working and a 6–9 month duration.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of local authority year-end closedown.
• Strong experience preparing Statements of Accounts.
• Detailed knowledge of Collection Fund accounting, Group Accounts and consolidation adjustments.
• A strong understanding of the CIPFA Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.
• Previous experience working with external auditors and producing audit-ready working papers.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel capability and a strong attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently, manage deadlines and take ownership of key areas of the accounts.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the preparation of the annual Statement of Accounts and associated disclosure notes.
• Leading on specific areas including Collection Fund accounting, Group Accounts and consolidation.
• Preparing high-quality year-end working papers, reconciliations and technical accounting analyses.
• Supporting statutory returns and wider financial reporting requirements.
• Liaising with external auditors and responding to technical audit queries.
• Working collaboratively with finance teams across the organisation to ensure timely submission of year-end information.
• Identifying opportunities to improve closedown processes, procedures and financial controls.
• Providing technical accounting support and advice throughout the closedown and audit period.

Skills

Local government accounting

Year-end closedown

Statement of Accounts

Collection Fund accounting

Group Accounts and consolidation

CIPFA Code of Practice

Excel

Analytical skills

Ownership of key areas

Education

CCAB qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

Location: Hybrid
Rate: Up to £750 per day
Contract: 6-9 months, or until completion of the annual accounts and audit process
Sector: Local Government / Public Sector

We are currently working with a Local Authority that is seeking an experienced Closedown Accountant to join its Corporate Finance team and provide additional support through the preparation of the annual Statement of Accounts and completion of the year-end closedown and external audit process.

This is a key interim appointment for an experienced local government finance professional who can quickly add value and take ownership of specific areas of the accounts.

The Role

As Closedown Accountant, you will play an important role in supporting the Council's statutory financial reporting requirements and ensuring the year-end accounts are prepared accurately, efficiently and to the required deadlines.

You will take the lead on specific areas of the accounts and work closely with finance colleagues and external auditors throughout the closedown and audit process.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the preparation of the annual Statement of Accounts and associated disclosure notes.

• Leading on specific areas including Collection Fund accounting, Group Accounts and consolidation.

• Preparing high-quality year-end working papers, reconciliations and technical accounting analyses.

• Supporting statutory returns and wider financial reporting requirements.

• Liaising with external auditors and responding to technical audit queries.

• Working collaboratively with finance teams across the organisation to ensure timely submission of year-end information.

• Identifying opportunities to improve closedown processes, procedures and financial controls.

• Providing technical accounting support and advice throughout the closedown and audit period.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Local Government Accountant with a strong understanding of local authority accounting and proven experience of year-end closedown and Statement of Accounts preparation.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience of local authority year-end closedown.

• Strong experience preparing Statements of Accounts.

• Detailed knowledge of Collection Fund accounting, Group Accounts and consolidation adjustments.

• A strong understanding of the CIPFA Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.

• Previous experience working with external auditors and producing audit-ready working papers.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Advanced Excel capability and a strong attention to detail.

• The ability to work independently, manage deadlines and take ownership of key areas of the accounts.

A CCAB qualification would be advantageous, although candidates with substantial and relevant local government closedown experience will also be considered.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced local government finance professional to secure a high-value interim assignment with a Local Authority during a critical period of the financial year.

Up to £750 per day | Hybrid working | 6-9 month assignment

we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.