Chief Accountant
Posted 2 days ago by Spencer Clarke Group
£600 Per day
Undetermined
Remote
West Midlands
Summary: The Chief Accountant - Interim role involves leading the delivery of the Statement of Accounts and year-end close down for a West Midlands Authority. This position requires significant Local Authority experience and strong technical accounting skills to ensure a timely and accurate closedown process. The role is remote and offers a competitive day rate. The contract is initially for six months with an ASAP start date.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading the full closure of accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Acting as the primary liaison for external audit, managing queries and audit requirements
- Overseeing the preparation of notes, disclosures, and supporting schedules
- Coordinating and reviewing all working papers for year-end and audit
- Managing the closedown timetable and ensuring key deadlines are met across finance
- Providing technical accounting guidance across the finance team
Key Skills:
- Proven experience leading Local Authority year-end closure
- Strong technical accounting knowledge within the public sector
- Experience managing external audit processes and relationships
- Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and deliver to tight deadlines
- CCAB qualification (CIPFA / ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or equivalent experience
Salary (Rate): £600 per day
City: West Midlands
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: remote
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
Chief Accountant - Interim (Remote)
Spencer Clarke Group are working with a West Midlands Authority to appoint an experienced Interim Chief Accountant to lead on the delivery of the Statement of Accounts and year-end close down.
This is a key technical leadership role, requiring strong Local Authority experience and the ability to drive a robust and timely closedown process.
What's on Offer
- Day Rate: £500 - £600 per day (negotiable)
- Contract Length: 6 months initially
- Working Pattern: Remote
- Start Date: ASAP
The Role
You will take ownership of the 2025/26 financial year-end process, ensuring high-quality delivery of statutory accounts and a smooth audit.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the full closure of accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Acting as the primary liaison for external audit, managing queries and audit requirements
- Overseeing the preparation of notes, disclosures, and supporting schedules
- Coordinating and reviewing all working papers for year-end and audit
- Managing the closedown timetable and ensuring key deadlines are met across finance
- Providing technical accounting guidance across the finance team
About You
You will bring:
- Proven experience leading Local Authority year-end closure
- Strong technical accounting knowledge within the public sector
- Experience managing external audit processes and relationships
- Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and deliver to tight deadlines
- CCAB qualification (CIPFA / ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or equivalent experience
How to Apply
If you are interested, please submit your CV along with your required day rate. If successful, a consultant will be in touch to discuss the role in more detail.
We also offer a referral scheme of up to £300 - if you know someone suitable, feel free to pass this on.