Principal Accountant
Posted Today by HAYS
Negotiable
Undetermined
Undetermined
London, UK
Summary: The Principal Accountant role focuses on supporting the coordination and production of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and the development of the Capital Strategy within a local authority. The position requires an experienced finance professional to provide high-quality financial reporting and analysis while ensuring the accuracy of financial data. The role involves collaboration across services and guidance for junior colleagues, reporting directly to the Head of Finance. This is a senior technical lead position without direct line management responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the preparation, analysis, and delivery of the MTFS and contribute to the Capital Strategy.
- Produce high-quality financial reporting and analysis for senior leadership and elected members.
- Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data, forecasts, and statutory reporting.
- Support year-end processes and contribute to audit and accounts preparation.
- Build and maintain advanced financial models using Excel and financial tools.
- Provide expert advice on local government funding, including the implications of Fair Funding 2.0.
- Work collaboratively across services and support junior colleagues through guidance and knowledge-sharing.
Key Skills:
- Strong experience in local government finance-ideally from a London borough, county, or unitary authority.
- Proven ability to coordinate MTFS processes and contribute to capital planning.
- Excellent analytical skills and advanced Excel/financial modelling capability.
- Strong understanding of local government funding frameworks and current reforms.
- Confident communicator able to present complex financial information clearly.
- Fully qualified - ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA
- 5+ years experience in Local Government
Salary (Rate): £550.00 Daily
City: London
Country: UK
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Finance
Senior Finance - Interim Job - ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA - MTFS - Capital - Local Authority
Principal Accountant - MTFS/Capital
Role OverviewWe're seeking an experienced local-government finance professional to support the coordination and production of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy/Plan (MTFS) and support the development of the Capital Strategy. You'll report to the Head of Finance within a team of six, acting as a senior technical lead (with no direct line management).
Key Responsibilities
- Support the preparation, analysis, and delivery of the MTFS and contribute to the Capital Strategy.
- Produce high-quality financial reporting and analysis for senior leadership and elected members.
- Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data, forecasts, and statutory reporting.
- Support year-end processes and contribute to audit and accounts preparation.
- Build and maintain advanced financial models using Excel and financial tools.
- Provide expert advice on local government funding, including the implications of Fair Funding 2.0.
- Work collaboratively across services and support junior colleagues through guidance and knowledge-sharing.
About You
- Strong experience in local government finance-ideally from a London borough, county, or unitary authority.
- Proven ability to coordinate MTFS processes and contribute to capital planning.
- Excellent analytical skills and advanced Excel/financial modelling capability.
- Strong understanding of local government funding frameworks and current reforms.
- Confident communicator able to present complex financial information clearly.
- Fully qualified - ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA
- 5+ years experience in Local Government
