Senior Financial Accountant

Randstad Financial & Professional; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency specializing in finance is seeking an experienced Financial Accountant to prepare annual statutory financial statements and ensure compliance with local authority accounting standards. The candidate will lead statutory reporting, manage complex financial submissions, and foster relationships with auditors. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in local authority accounting, proven statutory reporting experience, and excellent leadership skills. This contract role requires a proactive individual with high integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Deep practical knowledge of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.
• Proven experience in preparing and delivering complex statutory financial statements.
• Experience in managing, developing, and motivating team members.
• Excellent communication skills for liaising with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of statutory financial statements ensuring compliance.
• Manage submissions for Whole of Government Accounts and HMRC returns.
• Establish relationships with external auditors for the audit process.
• Provide financial accounting training to teams.

Skills

UK Local Authority Accounting expertise

Statutory Reporting experience

Leadership skills

Stakeholder management

Job description

Are you an experienced and technically proficient Financial Accountant with a passion for public sector finance and statutory reporting? Join our client and play a critical role in the preparation, integrity, and compliance of their annual financial statements and group accounts on a contract basis.

Key Role Summary:

You will be instrumental in the accurate and timely preparation of the organisation's annual statutory financial statements and group accounts, ensuring strict adherence to the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting. This contract role requires strong technical knowledge, leadership skills, and the ability to manage complex reporting requirements, including Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) and key HMRC/Government statutory returns.

Key Responsibilities & What You Will Deliver:

1. Statutory & Financial Reporting Excellence (Operational)

• Lead the preparation of the annual statutory financial statements for the Organisation and its Group, ensuring full compliance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting and relevant legislation.
• Manage and submit the annual Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) and ensure all HMRC and Government statutory returns are submitted accurately and by stipulated deadlines.
• Prepare and review monthly Balance Sheet reporting, including key reconciliations and control accounts.
• Manage the grants process to ensure proper accounting practices are followed.

2. Technical Expertise & Compliance (Accountability & Strategic)

• Provide technical advice on accounting to the Organisation and its subsidiaries, acting as a subject matter expert.
• Support the implementation of new accounting standards in line with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.
• Work with the Group Financial Accounting & Reporting Manager to implement and ensure compliance with financial policies and controls.
• Collaborate closely with the capital accounting team to ensure compliance with capital accounting rules.

3. Audit Management & People Development (People)

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with external auditors to ensure a smooth and efficient annual audit process.
• Manage and participate in internal and external audit requests.
• Manage and support the development of the finance team, acting as a motivator and excellent role model through regular 1-2-1s and feedback.
• Provide financial accounting advice and, where necessary, deliver financial accounting training to both finance and non-finance teams.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

We are looking for a proactive, flexible professional who possesses high integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Expertise in UK Local Authority Accounting: Deep practical knowledge of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting is essential.
• Statutory Reporting Experience: Proven experience in preparing and delivering complex statutory financial statements and group accounts.
• Leadership Skills: Experience in managing, developing, and motivating team members.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills for liaising effectively with internal stakeholders, external auditors, and government bodies.

On applying you agree to receive finance specific content from our Randstad Finance & Accounting community (www.randstad.co.uk/finance-accounting-community)

Randstad Financial & Professional encourage applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Randstad Financial & Professional acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003