Principal Accountant

Southandvale; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Southandvale is seeking a capable financial accounting professional to join its seven-person team. Reporting to the Strategic Finance Manager, you will assist with annual statutory financial statements and manage banking transactions and reconciliations.

There is an opportunity to develop the UNIT4 accounting package and attend training; you will have line management of 2–3 staff and be supported to advance your career in local government finance.

Qualifications

• Strong all round financial accounting knowledge, including year-end statutory accounts production.
• Experience with ERP finance systems and advanced Excel skills.
• CCAB qualification or extensive experience in local government finance; high standard of education to A Level or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Assist Strategic Finance Manager – Financial Accounting in planning and completing annual financial statements for two district councils.
• Collaborate with external auditors to ensure timely completion of annual external audits.
• Line manage 2-3 staff, following personnel policies and procedures.
• Participate in daily treasury management process; authorize and check deals; assist with treasury forecasting.
• Support production of quarterly and annual treasury reports for the Strategic Finance Manager.
• Monitor and assist with balance sheet reconciliations to maintain trial balance integrity.
• Maintain technical knowledge in line with professional standards and guidelines.

Skills

Financial accounting

Excel proficiency

ERP finance systems

Education

CCAB Accounting qualification

A Level or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

UNIT 4 ERP

Job description

About The Role

Why join us

We believe in putting our people first – we work hard every day to make sure everyone can achieve a healthy and enjoyable work-life-balance. That is why we have a very flexible hours system.

We are seen as being customer focused, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high quality cost-effective service.

About the role

Working as part of a 7 person financial accounting and treasury team reporting into the Strategic Finance Manager your role will be to assist with the annual Statutory Financial Statements, Manage two staff members responsible for banking transactions balance sheet reconciliations and daily treasury dealing and potentially be involved in business rates and council tax collection fund reporting.

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to develop the councils, accounting package 'UNIT 4' and will be actively encouraged to attend training and advance their career.

Essential criteria for the role:

1. Strong all round financial accounting knowledge. Including experience of Year End Statutory Accounts production
2. Confident with ERP finance systems and strong Microsoft excel skills
3. CCAB Accounting qualification or qualified byextensive experience of working in local government finance.
4. High standard of education to A Level or equivalent

Key Responsibilities for the role

• To assist the Strategic finance manager – Financial Accounting in the planning and completion of the Annual Financial Statements for two District Councils
• To work closely with the Council’s external auditors to ensure completion of the annual external audits
  
• To have line management responsibility for 2-3 members of staff, including adhering to personnel policy and procedure
  
• To have an active involvement in the Council’s daily treasury management process; authorising and checking deals and assisting the
• Strategic Finance Manager with treasury forecasting and the production of quarterly and annual treasury reports
  
• To monitor and assistance with balance sheet reconciliations ensuring the integrity of the trial balance
  
• Ensure technical knowledge is maintained in accordance with professional standards and guidelines.

Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and are unable to support visa applications. To be considered for this role, you must already have the legal right to work in the UK. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please refer to the UK Government’s guidance before applying.