Principal Accountant

Colbern Limited; Addlestone; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services consultancy in the UK is seeking an experienced Principal Accountant to manage annual accounts and guide financial processes. This role requires significant expertise in local government finance, including budget development and statutory reporting. The successful candidate will have strong communication skills to present complex issues clearly and work collaboratively across departments. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement, balancing remote work with office presence.

Qualifications

• Experience in a local district or borough council at deputy s151 officer level.
• Significant experience in budget development and financial modelling.
• Recent experience of preparing the statutory Statement of Accounts.

Responsibilities

• Annual closure of the accounts, preparation of Statement of Accounts.
• Act as lead finance contact for Surrey Local Government Reorganisation.
• Implement and oversee new Financial Management System.

Skills

Financial modelling

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Negotiation skills

Job description

Our client is looking for an experienced Principal Accountant – Financial

2 days remote, 3 days in the office.

Responsibilities

• The annual closure of the accounts within prescribed timescales, including the preparation of the published Statement of Accounts and provide guidance, advice and other support to colleagues on any requirements or features within the process
• To act as one of the lead finance contacts for Runnymede in the Surrey Local Government Reorganisation exercise
• Implementation and delivery of its new Financial Management System to ensure a smooth transition to a fit for purpose and efficient system.
• The provision of information and technical advice, including attendance at appropriate groups and meetings on behalf of Runnymede, in connection with the Surrey Local Government Reorganisation to ensure the correct data is supplied and the new authority is set up with the correct financial information, supporting the production of robust budgetary information for the new authority
• Ensure that all aspects of the work of the Council meet the relevant financial statutory requirements and professional codes of practice, particularly those in respect of financial accounting, budgeting, treasury management and taxation activities
• To ensure the Council carries out its financial affairs in a fair, proportionate, and professional manner, by providing clear financial and strategic advice to all stakeholders whilst adhering to statutory and professional regulations in the dealing and reporting of all financial transactions

Qualifications

• Worked in a Local District or Borough Council at a deputy s151 officer level
• Significant experience in the production of the MTFS and budget development, including modelling demand pressures and other risk‐based scenarios
• Strong track record in capital strategy and capital programme management and financial modelling for complex investment projects
• Recent experience of preparing the statutory Statement of Accounts
• Ensuring robust forecasting, technical accounting compliance, and timely delivery of statutory returns
• High level of verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex financial issues to a wide audience – both internal and external
• Hands‑on experience across both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), ensuring compliant reporting and accurate reconciliations
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills coupled with the ability to work accurately and methodically to deadlines
• Collaborative working across multiple service areas toward common corporate goals
• Ability to understand, analyse and interpret complex management and financial data and present it in a format suitable for reporting
• Able to write concise reports on complex issues that are understandable at all levels of the organisation.
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills

The first part of our recruitment process is to send your CV. Should you be shortlisted Colbern Limited will contact you within 5 days or we may contact you about other job opportunities. Colbern Limited along with our clients are an equal opportunities employer.