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 and flexible home-based work with minimal office attendance.
- Other info: Opportunity for contract extension and professional growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing key council services and ensuring financial best practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance and confidence in strategic stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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
Interim Principal Accountant in London employer: Adecco
As an interim Principal Accountant with a London local authority, you will benefit from a flexible home-based working arrangement, allowing for a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful public service. The organisation fosters a collaborative work culture that values professional growth, offering opportunities to influence key financial strategies and engage with senior stakeholders, all within a supportive environment that prioritises financial governance and best practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Principal Accountant in London
✨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 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 provide top-notch business partnering support!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your experience with budget setting and financial governance during interviews. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've managed financial risks and contributed to financial strategies in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that interim role! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and connect with potential employers looking for someone just like you.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Principal Accountant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Interim Principal Accountant role. Highlight your experience in financial governance and business partnering, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with 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 specific examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders or managed financial risks in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, make sure to showcase your relevant experience clearly. Focus on your strategic and operational financial advice roles, and don’t forget to mention any experience with budget setting and monitoring. We’re keen to see what you’ve done!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adecco
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Interim Principal Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've influenced financial decisions in previous roles. This shows you can hit the ground running!
✨Understand the Council's Financial Landscape
Research the local authority's current financial strategies and challenges. Being able to reference specific initiatives or issues during your interview will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared to contribute from day one.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific financial scenarios, such as budget overruns or stakeholder disagreements. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated similar situations, and be ready to share them.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
This role involves influencing senior stakeholders, so be prepared to discuss how you've built relationships and communicated effectively with various levels of management. Highlight any successful collaborations that led to improved financial governance.
