Senior Financial Accountant

Diamond Blaque HR Solutions; Enfield; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Diamond Blaque HR Solutions is helping a London borough recruit a fully qualified CCAB/CIMA accountant to lead the technical financial accounting function. You will drive year-end closure, single-entity and group accounts, and coordinate with external auditors to strengthen controls and audit readiness.

The role requires extensive post-qualification experience, strong knowledge of local government accounting and a proactive leadership style.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Strong knowledge of local government financial accounting and year-end closure.
• Experience in company accounting, group accounts and complex technical accounting.
• Proven ability to lead external audits and produce clear working papers.
• Excellent numerical analysis and practical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the Council's annual single-entity and group accounts from planning to completion.
• Lead external audits and resolve issues to achieve successful conclusions.
• Act as the technical authority on financial accounting regulations and CIPFA Code.
• Strengthen controls with rigorous reconciliations on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Deliver audit-ready working papers within tight deadlines.
• Build relationships with external auditors and HMRC to support compliance.
• Oversee VAT and indirect tax arrangements and assist wider tax compliance.
• Mentor the VAT and Technical Accountant and share knowledge with the team.

Skills

CCAB/CIMA qualification

Financial accounting

External audits

Leadership

Advanced Excel

Education

CCAB/CIMA qualification

Tools

CIPFA Asset Manager

Job description

Ready to take the lead on high-profile financial reporting and audit delivery? Our local council client is looking for an accomplished, fully qualified finance professional to become its go-to technical expert for financial accounting, year-end closure and external audit. This is your opportunity to shape robust financial practice and make an impact across a major London borough.

The Role

Step into a pivotal leadership role where your technical expertise will influence the quality, accuracy and credibility of the Council's financial reporting. You will lead the technical financial accounting function, drive the timely delivery of single-entity and group accounts, and ensure full compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice. Working closely with external auditors and finance colleagues, you will strengthen controls, improve audit readiness and turn complex accounting requirements into clear, effective action.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the Council's annual single-entity and group accounts from planning through to completion.
• Lead current and prior-year external audits, resolving issues and driving them to a successful conclusion.
• Be the trusted technical authority on financial accounting regulations and the CIPFA Code.
• Strengthen financial control through rigorous, risk-based monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations.
• Deliver complete, accurate and audit-ready working papers within demanding deadlines.
• Build productive, solutions-focused relationships with external auditors and HMRC.
• Oversee VAT and indirect tax arrangements while supporting wider tax compliance.
• Lead and develop the VAT and Technical Accountant, sharing expertise across the finance team.
• Turn audit recommendations and lessons learned into lasting process improvements.

About You

• You are a fully qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with substantial post-qualification experience.
• You bring strong knowledge of local government financial accounting, regulations and year-end closure.
• You have hands-on experience of company accounting, group accounts and complex technical accounting.
• You know how to lead external audits and produce clear, high-quality working papers.
• You combine sharp numerical analysis with practical problem-solving.
• You are an advanced Excel user with strong Word and PowerPoint skills.
• You communicate with confidence and can influence senior officers, councillors and external partners.
• You are an effective leader who can manage projects, priorities and competing deadlines.
• You understand VAT and indirect tax and can apply that knowledge in practice.

Desirable

• Experience using the CIPFA Asset Manager system.
• Knowledge of SDLT, VAT and Corporation Tax.

Why Apply?

Bring your expertise to a senior role where your judgement will be valued and your work will have genuine visibility. Alongside a salary of £62,688-£82,851, you will have the opportunity to strengthen financial governance, lead critical audit delivery and shape lasting service improvements across a major London borough.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates