Principal Accountant

Service Care Solutions; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Service Care Solutions seeks a Principal Accountant for a temporary position with a Local Authority in Sunderland. The ideal candidate will have qualifications such as CIPFA or ACCA and experience in local government finance. The role includes financial planning, reporting, auditing, and compliance. This hybrid role requires 2-3 days in the office each week, offering an hourly rate of £26.85 to £34.33, along with a £250 referral bonus.

Benefits

£250 referral bonus

Qualifications

• Relevant accountancy qualification (e.g., CIPFA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA).
• Experience with financial planning, reporting, and audit processes.

Responsibilities

• Support financial planning and deliver accurate forecasts.
• Manage technical finance operations such as cash flow and payments.
• Lead financial year-end close process and liaise with auditors.

Skills

Understanding of local government finance

Ability to communicate complex financial information

Strong financial planning

Reporting skills

Education

CIPFA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent

Job description

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 on 01772 208969 or email [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.