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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance business partnering and provide strategic financial advice to senior managers.
- Company: Join a London local authority with a focus on strong financial governance.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rates, remote work, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and influence at a strategic level.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while working flexibly from home.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified in finance with experience in local authority settings.
Location: Home-based (office attendance once per month max - Ealing - London)
Contract: 3 months initially (very likely extension)
Start: ASAP
Rates: £36.37 per hour (PAYE) £47.74 per hour (Umbrella)
The Opportunity
We're looking for an experienced Principal Accountant to join a London local authority on an interim basis. Reporting into a Finance Manager and working closely with the Section 151 Officer, you'll provide senior-level financial advice and business partnering support across key council services. This role suits someone confident operating at a strategic level, influencing senior stakeholders, and ensuring strong financial governance.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead finance business partnering for allocated service areas
- Provide strategic and operational financial advice to senior managers
- Support capital & revenue budget setting, monitoring and forecasting
- Contribute to delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)
- Identify, manage and escalate financial risks
- Support year-end accounts closure and audit requirements
- Deputise for the Finance Manager when required
- Promote financial best practice and literacy across services
What We're Looking For
Essential experience:
- Strong local authority finance background
- Capital budget setting and monitoring experience
- Revenue budget management experience
- Experience managing or leading finance staff
- Comfortable influencing and advising at senior management level
- Able to explain complex finance matters to non-finance colleagues
Qualifications
Fully qualified: CIPFA / CCAB / CIMA (AAT considered with substantial senior-level local authority experience)
Working Arrangements
Predominantly remote. Office attendance once per month maximum.
Interim Principal Accountant in Ealing employer: Adecco
Contact Detail:
Adecco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Principal Accountant in Ealing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with local authorities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about opportunities that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your strategic financial advice skills. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced senior stakeholders in the past. We want you to showcase your ability to explain complex finance matters clearly!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your experience with capital and revenue budget management during interviews. This is key for the Interim Principal Accountant role, so make sure you’ve got some solid examples ready to share.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s quick and easy, plus you’ll get updates directly from us. Let’s get you that interim role and kickstart your next adventure!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Principal Accountant in Ealing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Interim Principal Accountant role. Highlight your local authority finance experience and any relevant qualifications like CIPFA or CIMA. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your experience in capital and revenue budget management, and how you can influence senior stakeholders effectively.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've contributed to financial governance or improved processes in previous roles. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adecco
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Interim Principal Accountant, you'll need to be on top of your financial game. Brush up on key financial metrics and local authority regulations before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and influenced financial decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires someone who can operate at a strategic level. Prepare examples of how you've provided strategic financial advice in the past. Think about times when you’ve successfully influenced senior stakeholders and how you can bring that experience to the table.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex finance matters to non-finance colleagues. Practice simplifying financial jargon into layman's terms. During the interview, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, showcasing your interpersonal skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential financial risks you might encounter in this role and how you would manage them. Prepare to discuss your approach to budget setting and monitoring, as well as your experience with year-end accounts closure.