Principal Accountant

HIRING WIZARD; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Cambridgeshire is looking for a Principal Accountant to lead its finance team. You'll be responsible for producing the council’s budget, managing financial advice, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. Ideal candidates will be qualified CCAB or AAT accountants. Benefits include flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working

Childcare scheme

Training and development

Occupational health program

Holidays and pension scheme

Hybrid working arrangements

Qualifications

• Qualified CCAB Accountant or AAT qualified.
• Strong technical knowledge of the local government accounting regime.
• Experience of large, computerised finance systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accountancy arm of the Finance Team.
• Produce the annual revenue budget and capital programme.
• Ensure accurate financial advice to managers and members.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of the local government accounting regime

Effective leadership and management skills

Strong financial management skills

Strong influencing and communication skills

Education

Qualified CCAB Accountant or AAT qualified

Tools

Large computerised finance systems

Job description

Overview

The District Council is looking for an experienced and motivated Principal Accountant to lead its finance team and play a key role in shaping the Council’s financial strategy and performance.

Location: Ely, CB7

Salary: £46,142 - £50,269 per annum plus up to £3,000 annual market supplement and special responsibility allowance at 5% of annual salary p.a.

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Closing Date: Monday 6 October 2025

About Us:

East Cambridgeshire boasts excellent transport links, stunning countryside, vibrant markets, and welcoming communities and it one of the UK's happiest and healthiest places to live.

The District Council takes pride in its innovative approach to delivering sustainable and economically driven services that benefit residents, stakeholders, and the environment.

Principal Accountant – The Role

You will lead the accountancy arm of the council’s finance team, ensuring the provision of timely, relevant, and accurate financial advice to managers and members. You will produce the council’s budget and undertake quarterly budget monitoring against this; undertake operational investments and borrowings in accordance with the approved treasury strategy; produce the capital programme including sources of funding, monitor and project the council’s cash flow position and lead on the production of the Annual Financial Statements.

In addition, you will assist and deputise for the Director, Finance (S151 Officer) where you will receive a Special Responsibility Allowance at a rate of 5% of your annual salary. To be eligible for this, you will need to be a qualified accountant.

Principal Accountant – Key Responsibilities

• To lead the accountancy arm of the Finance Team
• To lead on the production of the annual Financial Statements (and the audit of these)
• To ensure the provision of timely, relevant and accurate financial advice to managers and members
• To produce the annual revenue budget and capital programme (including sources of funding) in line with the statutory deadline
• To produce quarterly budget monitoring reports to the Council’s Committees (both revenue and capital)
• To prepare and submit grant claims and statistical returns to Government and other regulatory bodies
• To undertake monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations
• To manage the payroll function within the Council

Principal Accountant – You

• Qualified CCAB Accountant or AAT qualified
• Strong technical knowledge of the local government accounting regime
• Experienced accountancy knowledge within a corporate finance function
• Experience of large, computerised finance systems
• Effective leadership and management skills
• Strong financial management skills
• Strong influencing and communication skills
• You should also be able to present reports and statistical information to people at all levels.

Principal Accountant – Benefits

In return, The District Council offers a range of benefits including:

• Flexible working
• Childcare scheme (in approved cases)
• Training and development
• Occupational health program
• Holidays, sickness and salary pension scheme entitlements
• Hybrid working arrangements

Application Process

Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Services check.

Closing date for completed applications is Monday 6 October 2025. The selection process will be held on: Thursday 16 October 2025.

Please note that only candidates selected for interview will be contacted by the HR Department with the confirmation of an interview. If you have not been contacted by that date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

To be considered for this exciting Principal Accountant role, click ‘Apply’ now!