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- Tasks: Lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting while managing a team of finance professionals.
- Company: Join East Renfrewshire Council, dedicated to impactful public finance and community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in corporate finance while working in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a fully qualified CCAB accountant with local authority finance experience.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements allow for 40-60% remote work based on service needs.
The predicted salary is between 65148 - 69127 £ per year.
Salary: £65,148 – £69,127 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Position Type: Full Time
Hours: 35 hours per week
Work From Home: Hybrid
Advert
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for public finance and a drive to make a real impact? East Renfrewshire Council is seeking a skilled Principal Accountant to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our corporate finance function, within the wider Finance team.
As Principal Accountant, you will support the Corporate Finance Manager in delivering key corporate finance functions including financial planning, budgeting, statutory reporting, treasury management, and corporate accounting. You will lead a team of finance professionals and act as a key contact for external audit, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Key responsibilities:
- Support the development and delivery of financial plans.
- Oversee corporate financial monitoring and reporting across all departments.
- Manage capital accounting services and ensure statutory compliance.
- Lead and coordinate the preparation of Annual Accounts and statutory returns.
- Manage treasury management activities, including cashflow, borrowing strategies, and investment planning.
- Provide expert financial advice to senior officers and stakeholders.
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation in financial systems and practices.
We need a fully qualified CCAB accountant who has:
- Experience in local authority finance and corporate accounting.
- Strong knowledge of statutory accounting regulations.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A strategic mindset with the ability to influence and drive change.
- A proactive, solutions focused approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Ideally the successful post holder will also have:
- Experience of managing an accountancy team.
- Experience of treasury management within a local authority environment.
Depending upon the needs of the service, staff in Hybrid roles will typically work from home for up to 40-60% of the time where the needs of the service can still be met.
Additional Information
Please click on the attachments below for full details of this post.
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Principal Accountant employer: EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Detail:
EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial regulations and statutory requirements relevant to local authorities. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the role's responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the public finance sector, especially those who have experience in local authority finance. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences managing finance teams. Highlight any successful projects or improvements you've implemented, as this will showcase your ability to drive change within a corporate finance function.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in public finance, particularly in treasury management. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these topics during your interview will set you apart as a candidate who is proactive and well-informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in local authority finance and corporate accounting. Emphasise your qualifications as a CCAB accountant and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your strategic mindset and ability to influence change.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for public finance and how you can make an impact at East Renfrewshire Council. Address the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description and provide examples of how you've successfully managed financial planning, budgeting, and statutory reporting in the past.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your experience with treasury management and managing an accountancy team. Use specific metrics or outcomes to illustrate your contributions and successes in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills are crucial for this role, include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate complex financial information to various stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Principal Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've contributed to financial planning and budgeting in previous roles, highlighting your impact on the organisation's financial health.
✨Highlight Your Compliance Knowledge
Given the importance of statutory compliance in this role, be ready to discuss your understanding of accounting regulations. Bring up specific instances where you've ensured compliance in past positions, especially in local authority finance.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since you'll be leading a team, it's crucial to showcase your leadership experience. Share stories about how you've managed teams, driven change, and fostered a culture of continuous improvement within your department.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Excellent communication skills are key for this position. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively engaged with stakeholders in the past, providing examples of how you’ve influenced decisions and built strong relationships.
