Chief Accountant

Application closing date: Sunday 18th May 2025 at 23:59pm

Location: London Borough of Harrow, Forward Drive, Harrow, HA3 8FL

Salary: £78,849pa - £86,769pa

Employment Type: Permanent

Harrow is one of the most diverse places in the country. It is the 12th largest London Borough in terms of geographical area covering an area of approximately 50 sq km and over a quarter of the borough consists of open space, much of which is designated green belt or Metropolitan Open Land. Harrow has a strong entrepreneurial tradition with over 16,140 businesses located in the borough. It is well connected to London and the rest of the UK.

We are seeking an experienced finance professional to join as Chief Accountant, responsible for leading all financial aspects related to the Council’s accounts, including the year-end closedown, production of the Statement of Accounts, and ensuring compliance with audit requirements and statutory reporting standards. The role involves managing a team handling the Asset Register, Collection Fund, VAT/Tax matters, and statutory returns, while also serving as the main contact for external auditors. Additionally, they will contribute to corporate financial strategies and manage external contracts, offering expert advice to internal committees.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead the Technical Finance team and report to the Assistant Director of Finance, overseeing the delivery of the Statement of Accounts, commercial reporting for Harrow-owned companies, and engagement with external auditors.
• Manage the closure timetable, ensure compliance with statutory guidance (e.g., CIPFA, HMRC), and quality-assure working papers and key financial returns including capital grants and business rates.
• Maintain the Council’s Asset Register, manage balance sheet codes, oversee regular reconciliations (bank, payroll, petty cash, suspense), and track error trends in the general ledger.
• Drive financial system improvements, support accurate first-time data entry, and lead projects that automate and enhance the year-end closure process, incorporating auditor feedback.
• Provide VAT/Tax advice, develop statutory reporting guidance, deliver training on accounting updates, and support internal process reviews to strengthen financial control.
• Oversee the production of monthly debtor reports, Collection Fund accounting, and annual Support Service Charters, ensuring data is timely, accurate, and consolidated.
• Undertake additional responsibilities aligned with the seniority and scope of the post as required.

To be considered for this role, you must hold a CCAB accountancy qualification (or an equivalent) and possess a strong understanding of financial accounting and governance in a Local Authority setting. You should have advanced technical accounting skills and the ability to clearly communicate complex financial information to non-finance colleagues and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will also have experience in developing financial processes, writing reports, and managing a team effectively.

To apply, please submit your CV alongside a supporting statement (no more than two pages) stating why you are interested in applying, what you can bring to this role and highlighting your relevant experience and suitability.

Equal opportunities

Harrow Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Harrow Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.