Senior Chief Accountant – Local Authority (Remote, 6‑Month)

Consult; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Consult is seeking an experienced Chief Accountant for a UK local authority. This interim role oversees financial accounting, statutory reporting, treasury management oversight, and year-end processes.

The candidate must have strong local government finance experience, CIPFA/ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualifications, and the ability to operate in a politically sensitive environment. Remote work with occasional on-site visits is required.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with UK local government experience preferred.
• Experience producing statutory local authority accounts and reports.
• Proven ability to lead financial accounting and governance activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Financial Accounting function and provide professional leadership across the finance service.
• Manage production of the authority's Statement of Accounts and working papers.
• Ensure compliance with CIPFA Code, IFRS, and local government regulations.
• Lead year-end closedown and coordinate audits with external auditors.
• Provide technical accounting advice to senior finance colleagues and budget holders.
• Oversee balance sheet, reserves, provisions, and capital accounting.
• Support treasury management reporting and policy development.
• Mentor and develop qualified and part-qualified finance staff.

Skills

Technical accounting

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Process improvement

Team development

Education

CIPFA

ACA

ACCA

CIMA

Job description

Consult is seeking an experienced Chief Accountant for a UK local authority. This interim role oversees financial accounting, statutory reporting, treasury management oversight, and year-end processes.

The candidate must have strong local government finance experience, CIPFA/ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualifications, and the ability to operate in a politically sensitive environment. Remote work with occasional on-site visits is required.