Principal Management Accountant (Career Grade)

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Wakefield is seeking a Principal Management Accountant to support financial management and resource stewardship. The role involves working closely within the Adults & Health Finance Team, managing staff, developing financial strategies, and ensuring effective financial advice is provided. Candidates should possess strong accounting knowledge and excellent communication skills. This position is open to internal applicants only.

Qualifications

• Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience is required.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation and financial processes.
• Excellent communication skills and experience in team management are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy.
• Ensure proper financial administration across the Council.
• Coordinate the production of revenue and capital estimates.
• Provide professional financial advice on service policy developments.
• Manage and develop staff through performance appraisal.

Skills

Strong technical accounting knowledge

Ability to interpret and analyse complex legislation

Excellent communication skills

Strong leadership and management skills

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity in the Finance Management Service at Wakefield Council. This opportunity is open to internal applicants only.

The Principal Management Accountants positions are an integral role within our service which supports both the Head of Financial Management and Chief Finance Officer to secure proper stewardship of Council resources and deliver effective financial management arrangements across the Council.

We are looking for individuals with a strong technical accounting knowledge and experience background, the ability to interpret and analyse complex legislation and a robust understanding of financial processes and procedures, which are needed to provide support, advice and guidance to Council services.

The successful applicant will possess excellent communication skills and be able to work both independently and as part of a wider team. This role will also involve management of staff so strong leadership and management skills are also essential.

The successful candidate is expected to be working within the Council's Adults & Health Finance Team.

Key responsibilities

• Assist Group Finance Managers in developing the Council's forward-looking Medium Term Financial Strategy, having regard to estimates of future government funding and other income and cost pressures resulting from demand for council services, inflationary or legislative changes.
• Assist the Group Finance Manager to secure proper financial administration across the Council including optimisation of the Council's resources.
• Coordinate with the Group Finance Manager, and liaise with Financial Management and operational managers, on the production of both revenue and capital estimates and Final Accounts, in accordance with statutory and best practice requirements, whilst ensuring auditable systems and procedures are in place to demonstrate adherence to policies.
• Assist the Group Finance Manager to ensure effective management of service resources and budgets. Contribute to the development and improvement of services by supporting operational management with regular financial information for analysis, forecasting and strategic planning, and by providing sound financial advice.
• Provide professional financial advice on service issues including policy developments or changes in service delivery. Attend appropriate meetings and working groups.
• Manage and develop staff through individual performance appraisal in such a way as to encourage innovation.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of grant claims to protect/ maximise the financial position of the Council as well as ensuring the accurate and timely provision of information to other agencies including Central Government, CIPFA, ESFA, etc.
• Dutising in the absence of the Group Finance Manager including attendance at Financial Management Team meetings, Directorate Management Team meetings and budget clinics.

Qualifications and skills

• Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience background.
• Ability to interpret and analyse complex legislation and robust understanding of financial processes and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
• Experience in managing staff; strong leadership and management skills are essential.
• Experience within the Council's Adults & Health Finance Team is preferred.

Application contact

For an informal discussion please contact Rob Hurren, Group Finance Manager on 07984137090.