Summary: The Head Accountant role in Devon involves providing strategic financial leadership and managing complex budgets for a local authority. The position requires a qualified accountant with extensive knowledge of local authority accounting and a proven track record in managing change. The successful candidate will influence operational decisions and drive performance improvements across various departments. This is a temporary position with hybrid working arrangements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high-level financial advice and support to officers and Members, influencing operational and strategic decisions through the analysis of complex financial data.
• Oversee budget preparation, financial monitoring, medium-term financial strategy, and year-end account closures, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and integrity of financial transactions.
• Manage and lead a finance team, ensuring staff are properly trained, meet high standards of financial competence, and support cultural and transformational change initiatives.
• Ensure all financial information, accounts, and budgets are produced accurately, meet corporate deadlines, and comply with financial legislation, regulations, and accounting standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, enhance automation in budgeting and accounts, and develop financial support services for existing and new stakeholders.

Key Skills:

• Qualified Accountant (eg, CIPFA, CIMA, ACCA) or equivalent, with in-depth knowledge of all aspects of financial management, including local authority accounting regulations and relevant codes of practice.
• Proven experience in providing strategic financial leadership, managing teams through change, and fostering a culture of performance improvement and positive change management.
• Strong working knowledge of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting, Service Reporting Code of Practice, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS/IGAAP).
• Ability to apply innovative financial solutions, interpret legislation, and influence non-financial stakeholders by clearly explaining complex financial concepts.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities, with experience in networking, partnership working, and building effective relationships across a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Salary (Rate): 500.00

City: Exeter

Country: UK

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: inside IR35

Seniority Level: Senior

Industry: Finance