Head of Financial Accounts

JR United Kingdom; Stafford; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Local Authority in the West Midlands is seeking a Head of Financial Accounts to oversee the council's technical financial requirements. This strategic role involves managing annual accounts preparation, compliance, and financial planning, requiring a qualified finance professional with extensive public sector experience. Employee benefits include generous annual leave, excellent pension schemes, and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous annual leave: 28 days increasing to 33 after 5 years

Excellent Local Authority pension scheme

Hybrid working arrangements

Family-friendly policies

Access to online discount schemes

Continuous learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Fully qualified finance professional (CIPFA/ACCA/ACA or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of Local Authority financial accounting standards.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the council's technical financial accounting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
• Provide financial advice to senior officers and elected members.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Compliance

Financial Reporting

Mentoring

Education

CIPFA/ACCA/ACA qualification

Job description

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About the Head of Financial Accounts opportunity:

Sellick Partnership is pleased to be working in partnership with a well-respected and long-standing Local Authority client in the West Midlands.

Purpose of the Head of Financial Accounts opportunity:

• To lead, manage, and develop all aspects of the council's technical financial accounting requirements.
• To ensure that the council's financial arrangements comply with statutory requirements in terms of accounting, financial control, treasury management, and tax compliance.

Key duties of the Head of Financial Accounts will include:

• Lead and manage the preparation of the annual accounts' closedown process.
• To provide financial advice to senior officers and elected members.
• Lead and manage the preparation of the council's capital programme.
• Develop and maintain the council's capital strategy.
• Develop and maintain the council's treasury management system.
• To be the council's technical lead on all aspects of financial accounting.
• Lead on Tax and VAT.

Required experience of the Head of Financial Accounts:

• Fully qualified finance professional (CIPFA/ACCA/ACA or equivalent).
• Extensive experience within a Local Authority or similar complex public sector organisation.
• Strong understanding and in-depth knowledge of Local Authority financial accounting and reporting standards.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor and develop a team including training and development.

Benefits alongside the Head of Financial Accounts role will include:

• Generous annual leave: 28 days, which increases to 33 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays.
• Excellent Local Authority pension scheme.
• Hybrid working arrangements: flexible to suit your work-life balance and commitments.
• Family-friendly policies: excellent maternity/paternity/adoption leave.
• Employee perks: access to a wide range of online discount schemes.
• Continuous learning: ongoing development opportunities for your personal and professional development.

We encourage interested candidates to apply immediately for this great opportunity. If you require further information or wish to discuss your suitability before applying, please contact our Derby office for a confidential discussion.