Financial Accounting Manager

Peterborough First group; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Peterborough City Council is seeking an experienced Financial Accounting Manager to lead the council's financial accounting function, ensuring accurate financial reporting and strong internal controls. You will head a team, oversee statutory accounts, and provide strategic financial analysis to support decision-making.

You will work with services across the council to strengthen financial management and drive continuous improvement in finance systems and reporting, contributing to the city's

Qualifications

• Significant experience in financial accounting, preferably within a large or complex organisation.
• A recognised professional accounting qualification, such as ACCA, CIPFA, ACA, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, regulations, and best practice.
• Experience of leading, motivating, and developing teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly.
• High levels of accuracy, attention to detail, and professional integrity.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing the financial accounting team.
• Overseeing the preparation of statutory accounts and financial statements.
• Ensuring compliance with accounting standards, financial regulations, and internal controls.
• Developing and maintaining accounting policies and procedures.
• Providing high-quality financial analysis and advice to support strategic decision-making.
• Working closely with services across the Council to ensure effective financial management.
• Supporting continuous improvement within finance systems, processes, and reporting.

Skills

Financial accounting

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Education

ACCA/CIPFA/ACA

Job description

All about the Role

As Financial Accounting Manager, you will lead the Council's financial accounting function and play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of our financial reporting. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing the financial accounting team.
• Overseeing the preparation of statutory accounts and financial statements.
• Ensuring compliance with accounting standards, financial regulations, and internal controls.
• Developing and maintaining accounting policies and procedures.
• Providing high-quality financial analysis and advice to support strategic decision-making.
• Working closely with services across the Council to ensure effective financial management.
• Supporting continuous improvement within finance systems, processes, and reporting.

All about our Team

Following significant recent investment in our Finance Team, we're continuing to strengthen our capacity and are looking for talented, ambitious individuals who want to make a real difference.

This is an exciting time to join the Council. Finance sits at the heart of some of the most important challenges and opportunities facing the organisation. From enabling major transformation programmes and service redesign, to supporting ambitious capital projects and helping deliver the Rebuilding Local Audit Assurance Programme, our team plays a critical role in shaping the future of the city.

Every day, you'll work alongside colleagues, services and partners to support key decisions that have a direct impact on residents, communities and businesses across Peterborough. You'll help ensure resources are used effectively, support the delivery of better outcomes for local people and contribute to improving the Council's long-term financial sustainability.

We are on a journey of improvement, and while there is still much to achieve, the progress being made is real, visible and already having a positive impact. This progress has recently been recognised by CIPFA through its Financial Assurance Review, providing independent confirmation that we are moving in the right direction and building strong foundations for the future.

Most importantly, you'll be joining a supportive, friendly and collaborative team that is committed to helping each other succeed. We are passionate about developing our people, encouraging new ideas and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. With us you'll find opportunities to develop your career, broaden your experience and contribute to meaningful work.

All about You

We're looking for a finance professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent leadership and communication skills. You will ideally have:

• Significant experience in financial accounting, preferably within a large or complex organisation.
• A recognised professional accounting qualification, such as ACCA, CIPFA, ACA, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, regulations, and best practice.
• Experience of leading, motivating, and developing teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information clearly.
• High levels of accuracy, attention to detail, and professional integrity.

Our Commitments

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.

We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are a person who has or considers yourself to have a disability and you require reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.