Principal Accountant

Service Care Solutions Ltd; Sunderland; Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Sunderland is seeking a Principal Accountant for a temporary role. This position involves financial planning, reporting, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in local government finance. The role offers a competitive hourly rate and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

£250 referral bonus

Qualifications

• Relevant accountancy qualification required.
• Proven experience with financial reporting and audit processes.
• Ability to communicate financial information to non-finance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support financial planning and deliver accurate forecasts.
• Produce monthly financial reports and lead year-end close process.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and financial regulations.

Skills

Strong understanding of local government finance

Financial planning

Communication of complex financial information

Financial analysis

Education

CIPFA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent experience

Job description

Service Care Solutions are working alongside a Local Authority in Sunderland who are looking to recruit a talented Principal Accountant to join their team on a temporary contract. Please find a description of the role below.

Role: Principal Accountant.
Location: Sunderland
Rate: £26.85 to £30.47 per hour (PAYE exc.) / £30.47 to £34.33 per hour (Umbrella/LTD)
Contract: 3 months on going.
Working: Hybrid (2/3 per week in office)

Role Overview:

• MUST have relevant accountancy qualification (e.g. CIPFA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA) or equivalent experience.
• MUST have strong understanding of local government finance and company accounting.
• Support financial planning and deliver accurate forecasts to inform the annual Business Plan.
• Provide monthly financial reports, including revenue, capital, and balance sheet insights.
• Manage technical finance operations such as cash flow, banking, tax, income, and payments.
• Lead the financial year-end close process and liaise with external auditors to deliver final accounts.
• Produce statutory returns, grant claims, and audit-ready working papers.
• Provide financial input to business cases, project appraisals, and due diligence.
• Support service reviews and performance monitoring with robust financial analysis.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, financial regulations, and council procedures.
• Respond to FOI requests and represent finance at internal and external meetings.
• Stay up to date with financial legislation relevant to council companies.
• Perform other duties as required by senior finance leadership.
• Proven ability to communicate complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience with financial planning, reporting, and audit processes.

If you are interested in the role, or know anyone who may be, please contact Marc at Service Care Solutions on01772 208969or [e-mail].

Service Care Solutions also offers a £250 referral bonus! So, if you know of anyone who would be perfect for this position and they are placed into work, you will receive £250 for the referral once their probationary period has been completed.

If you have any questions or queries, please don't not hesitate to ask.