Senior Accountant

Greater London Authority; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Season ticket loan

Bicycle loan

Pension scheme

Job summary

Greater London Authority is seeking a Senior Accountant within the Chief Finance Officer’s Directorate to support high-quality accounting, taxation and exchequer services. You will lead finance professionals, support annual accounts, advise on complex accounting matters, and help develop financial systems to meet evolving responsibilities.

You will work with internal and external auditors, deliver timely financial reporting, and ensure tax liabilities are calculated accurately.

Qualifications

• CCAB qualification or equivalent.
• Deep knowledge of public sector finance and local authority accounting.
• Experience managing financial accounting systems and projects.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Deputy Chief Accountant.
• Assist in preparation of annual accounts for the GLA and Group, liaising with auditors.
• Provide high quality technical accounting advice, including on capital programme.
• Support shared financial services in accounts payable, payroll, pensions and procurement.
• Develop and improve the use of the financial system for evolving duties.
• Collaborate with tax advisers to ensure timely HMRC reporting.
• Ensure reports and financial data meet stakeholder needs.
• Manage staff to coordinate delivery of financial advice and work.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks as directed.

Skills

CCAB qualified

Public sector finance

Accounting systems

Auditors experience

Excel

ERP systems (SAP/Oracle/Agresso)

Tools

SAP ERP

Oracle ERP

Agresso

Job description

Chief Finance Officer’s Directorate

Supports the Mayor’s Office and wider GLA on a variety of different aspects: from managing daily financial decisions to setting long-term objectives; budget setting; and observing and recognising projects and opportunities in the market that may be worthy of development or investment.

About The Team

The team works within the Financial Services unit providing financial accounting for the GLA. The focus of the team is the preparation of the published financial statements as well as ensuring adequate financial control is exercised across the organisation.

About The Role

The Senior Accountant will play a key role in supporting the Chief Accountant and Deputy Chief Accountant in delivering high-quality accounting, taxation and exchequer services across the GLA Group. Leading a team of finance professionals, the role will support the preparation of the annual accounts, provide expert advice on technical accounting matters, support the ongoing development of financial systems and processes, and contribute to the effective delivery of taxation advice and compliance activities.

What your day will look like

• To deputise for the Deputy Chief Accountant.
• To support the preparation of the annual accounts for the Greater London Authority (GLA), GLA Group, and, in so doing, to liaise with the auditors.
• To provide high quality technical accounting advice on complex areas, including on the capital programme.
• To support the work of GLA’s shared transactional financial services, including accounts payable, sales invoicing, payroll, pensions and procurement.
• To develop the GLA’s use of its financial system and to ensure that it is fit for purpose for the GLA's evolving responsibilities.
• To work with the GLA's in-house and external taxation advisory function in the provision of high quality advice and to ensure that the GLA’s tax liabilities are accurately calculated and reported to HMRC in a timely manner.
• To ensure that reports and financial information are produced from the financial system to meet stakeholder requirements.
• To manage staff to co-ordinate their activities to ensure the timely delivery of financial advice and other pieces of work.
• To complete all other reasonable tasks, as directed, to fulfil this role.

Skills, Knowledge And Experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Either a CCAB qualified accountant or an equivalent level of attainment.
• Substantial knowledge and practical experience of public sector finance, including a strong understanding of the statutory and regulatory framework governing local authority accounting.
• Proven experience in managing, maintaining and developing financial accounting systems, together with experience of supporting or leading finance-related projects and system improvements.
• Significant experience of working with internal and external auditors, including leading and coordinating the year-end accounts and audit process.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, with the ability to analyse, manipulate and present complex financial data.
• Experience of using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, Agresso or equivalent systems.

GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: w/c 7/10/2026

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact [email protected].

Contact

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Ashraf Ali would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at [email protected].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the [email protected] who support the GLA with recruitment.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.