At a Glance
- Tasks: Support year-end financial processes and collaborate with auditors for accurate reporting.
- Company: Join the vibrant London Borough of Waltham Forest, a hub of culture and opportunity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse and supportive environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Enhance your accounting skills while making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: AAT qualified or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45750 - 49056 £ per year.
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Salary: PO3 £45,750- £49,056
Contract Type: Full time/Fixed term contract (12 months)
Working hours per week: 36
Application Deadline: 03/09/2026
Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC
Reference: 2285
About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace.
About the role: We are looking to recruit a Principal Finance Officer within our Financial Reporting & Treasury team. The successful candidate will primarily support the year-end closedown and external audit processes, helping to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of financial reporting requirements. The post holder will be expected to work closely with colleagues across Finance and with external auditors to support the Council in meeting its statutory responsibility to publish a high-quality Statement of Accounts. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your technical accounting knowledge and enhance your skills in collaborating with key stakeholders across the organisation and with external partners.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the efficient and timely completion of specific tasks within the annual closing of accounts process and ensuring that information presented in the financial statements complies with the CIPFA Code of Practice and reporting standards.
- Supporting effective liaison with external and internal audit through the Head of Finance- Closedown.
- Completing statutory and other returns, supported by clear and appropriate workings, in line with statutory requirements, and liaising with government departments and agencies as required.
- Providing support to other areas of Finance, as directed by the Principal Accountant, Head of Finance, or Chief Accountant.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- AAT qualified or equivalent work experience and training.
Terms and conditions:
- Satisfactory employment references.
- Satisfactory declaration of interest.
- Satisfactory DBS check.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace.
The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives:
- Promoting equality of opportunity.
- Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage.
- Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels.
- Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent services to all.
Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below or feel free to discuss this during your interview.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Sin-Yee Tang, Head of Finance-Closedown at Sin-Yee.Tang@Walthamforest.gov.uk. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Fraud Awareness Notice: The London Borough of Waltham Forest only advertises vacancies via our official website and approved recruitment platforms. We will never ask for payment or request sensitive personal or financial information as part of our recruitment process. If you are contacted by a third party claiming to represent the Council, please verify the vacancy via our official careers website before sharing any information.
**INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY** Principal Finance Officer in Walthamstow employer: Borough of Waltham Forest
The Borough of Waltham Forest is an excellent employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, making it an ideal place for HR professionals to thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development and a focus on equality and diversity, the council offers meaningful opportunities for growth and advancement in the field of human resources. Working here means being part of a dedicated team that values collaboration and strives to create a positive impact within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land **INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY** Principal Finance Officer in Walthamstow
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Some tips for your application 🫡
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Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Borough of Waltham Forest.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Waltham Forest
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Before your interview, reach out to current or former Borough of Waltham Forest employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
