Head of Financial Accounting in Darlington

Job Purpose To lead and manage the financial accounting function of the local authority, ensuring full compliance with statutory requirements, delivering high-quality financial reporting, and maintaining robust financial controls. As the nominated Deputy S73 Officer, you will support sound financial governance, transparency, and accountability across public funds, representing the S73 Officer at regional and national forums as required. Key Responsibilities ● Statutory Accounting & Reporting: Oversee the annual Statement of Accounts preparation in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice, lead the account closedown process, and ensure all statutory deadlines are met. ● Deputising & Governance: Act as Deputy S73 Officer, maintain the Financial Regulations, Scheme of Delegation, and Finance Procedure Manual to align with best practices. ● Audit Management: Manage relationships with internal and external auditors (e.g., NAO or appointed audit firms), coordinating the annual audit process and resolving queries. ● Team Leadership: Lead, develop, and motivate the Financial Accounting team to foster a high-performance, collaborative culture. ● Controls & Coordination: Oversee balance sheet integrity and reconciliations, collaborating closely with the Head of Financial Management to ensure overall financial coordination. Requirements & Competencies ● Leadership & Influence: Extensive experience managing senior stakeholder relationships, navigating complex challenges with high probity, and coaching senior managers. ● Technical Expertise: Deep expertise in local government/public sector financial accounting, statutory codes, and statutory reporting frameworks. ● Strategic Communication: Strong political awareness and emotional intelligence, capable of advising the CEO, Members, and regional partners on complex technical accounting issues