Financial Reporting Accountant

West London Waste Authority; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job description

About West London Waste Authority

West London Waste Authority (WLWA) is a statutory body responsible for managing the disposal of waste collected by six London boroughs: Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and Richmond upon Thames. Serving over 1.7 million residents, we work to ensure that waste is managed sustainably, cost-effectively, and in a way that minimises environmental impact.

Our mission is to reduce waste, increase recycling, and recover energy from the waste that cannot be reused or recycled. We work in close partnership with boroughs, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver innovative waste solutions and meet ambitious environmental targets.

At WLWA, we are committed to continuous improvement, accountability, and service excellence. As we grow and modernise our operations, we are investing in people, technology, and infrastructure to ensure we remain at the forefront of sustainable waste management in London.

Join us in shaping a cleaner, greener future for West London.

Position:

West London Waste Authority (WLWA) is strengthening its finance function to support our strategic growth and increased focus on value for money. We are now seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking Financial Reporting Accountant to lead our financial reporting and modelling functions across programmes and projects.

This is a key position offering the opportunity to influence high-level decision-making, support service improvement, and ensure that financial insight drives strategy.

About The Role

As our Financial Reporting Accountant, you’ll report directly to the Director of Finance and play a critical role in developing and maintaining financial models that inform strategic planning and investment decisions. You will lead on the financial reporting of programmes and projects, ensuring clear analysis of return on investment and the financial viability of key initiatives.

This role will also involve working closely with internal stakeholders and the senior leadership team to deliver accurate, timely, and meaningful reports, whilst supporting the Authority’s budgeting and statutory reporting processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on financial control and reporting for strategic programmes and projects.
• Develop innovative and robust financial modelling tools to support decision-making and long-term planning.
• Deliver return on investment (ROI) analysis and scenario planning to inform future direction.
• Provide clear financial insight through dashboards and narrative reports to senior leaders.
• Drive the Authority’s budget-setting process in collaboration with budget holders.
• Support the production of statutory accounts and ensure compliance with accounting standards.
• Engage with internal and external auditors, ensuring strong financial governance.
• Work with the Management Information (MI) team to develop data-led reporting solutions.
• Automate and enhance financial processes and reporting frameworks.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a qualified (or QBE) finance professional with experience in financial modelling, strategic analysis, and high-quality reporting. You’ll need a strong grasp of financial principles and an analytical mindset, with the confidence to challenge assumptions and influence decision-makers.

You’ll be proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable working across departments, engaging with project managers and leadership to deliver financial insight that drives real impact.

Essential Skills & Experience

• CCAB qualified accountant or qualified by experience.
• Proven experience of developing and reporting financial models to Boards or senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent knowledge of budget setting, financial reporting, and statutory accounts preparation.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of ROI in a public service context.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to simplify and present complex financial information clearly.
• Experience working with senior leadership teams and contributing to strategic planning.

Other information:
Location: West Drayton, London (Hybrid)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: £58,296 - £64,076 (inclusive of London Weighting)
Hours: 36 hours per week
Benefits: 28 days holiday plus public holidays, Local Government Pension Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme
Why Join WLWA?

• Play a strategic role in shaping financial direction for a forward-thinking public body.
• Be part of an innovative, values-driven team with a strong focus on impact and improvement.
• Benefit from excellent pension and flexible working arrangements.
• Enjoy opportunities for ongoing professional development and career progression.

Apply Now
If you're ready to take on a key strategic finance role with real scope to shape outcomes and add value, we want to hear from you. Apply today and join us in making a difference through smart, sustainable public service.