(RES282) Principal Accountant

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Clitheroe; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Generous leave entitlement

Occupational pension scheme

Training and development opportunities

Discounts at major retailers

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Ribble Valley Borough Council in Clitheroe, Lancashire, invites applications for a Principal Accountant. You will lead the preparation and monitoring of capital and revenue budgets and final accounts for a range of services.

Deliver expert advice to the Director of Resources and Head of Financial Services on accounting issues and statutory changes. The role requires an qualified accountant, ideally CIPFA/CCAB, with strong communication skills and experience in a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with CIPFA/CCAB qualifications.
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary team delivering key projects.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information to non-finance colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and monitor capital and revenue budgets.
• Assist and advise senior leaders on government changes and accounting issues.
• Produce final accounts for a range of services and support financial decisions.

Skills

Qualified accountant

CIPFA qualified

Communication skills

Budgeting

Education

CIPFA/ CCAB qualification

Tools

Finance systems

Job description

Whilst you go through your induction period, you will work from the Council Offices at Clitheroe. This is to help you integrate within the team and your role. Following this induction period, the Council currently allows hybrid homeworking of two days per week for full time staff and one day per week for part time staff.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an individual to undertake the role of Principal Accountant. You will be responsible for the preparation and monitoring of capital and revenue budgets and final accounts for a range of services.

Providing assistance and advice to the Director of Resources and Head of Financial Services on the impact of changes in Government legislation accounting issues.

We are looking for a qualified accountant, ideally CIPFA qualified (or other CCAB), with experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver key projects. Have the ability to communicate complex information with both finance and non-finance colleagues, working together to deliver shared outcomes.

We are a small and friendly team working within a busy Council. Join us to receive a host of benefits such as flexible working hours (flexitime scheme in operation with no core hours), generous leave entitlement, occupational pension scheme, and training/development opportunities and discounts at major retailers and a cycle to work scheme.

Closing date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Interview date: Thursday, 19 November 2026

Company: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Salary: PO6-9 (scp 36-39) £48,738 to £51,928 per annum

Location: Clitheroe, Lancashire

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Finance

Sector: Regeneration and Local Economies

Job Role: Accountant