Chief Accountant

Job Description

We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in Bexley to assist with the appointment of a Chief Accountant, on a 5.5-month contract, highly likely to be extended at client\’s discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay

£70.77 – £96.22 per hour

Summary

The Chief Accountant is a senior leadership role within the Finance & Technical Accounting team, responsible for delivering the Council\’s statutory financial reporting and ensuring robust financial governance across the organisation. As the Council\’s primary expert on financial accounting standards, the postholder will provide high-level technical advice to the Section 151 Officer, senior leaders, and elected members.

This role leads the production of the Council\’s Single Entity and Group Accounts, oversees the Balance Sheet, and manages all year‑end capital and asset accounting processes. The Chief Accountant will also act as the day-to-day owner of the Council\’s core financial systems, driving improvements in financial controls, reporting quality, and operational efficiency. Strong collaboration with external auditors, internal stakeholders, and budget holders is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production of the Council\’s Single Entity and Group Accounts in accordance with statutory deadlines and accounting standards (CIPFA Code of Practice, IFRS).
• Act as the Council\’s subject‑matter expert on financial accounting regulations, providing authoritative advice to the Section 151 Officer and senior management.
• Manage the end‑of‑year capital accounting processes, including fixed asset register management, valuations, capital financing, and related disclosures.
• Lead on asset accounting policy development and compliance.
• Manage senior‑level relationships with External Auditors and coordinate the external audit process.

Qualifications

• Full CCAB qualification (e.g., CIPFA, ACCA, ICAEW, ICAS).

Requirements

• Significant post‑qualification experience in financial accounting within local government or a similar complex organisation.
• Proven track record of producing statutory accounts and managing external audits.
• Strong understanding of IFRS, CIPFA Code, and public sector financial frameworks.
• Experience managing and improving financial controls and Balance Sheet processes.
• Leadership experience managing a multi‑disciplinary finance team.
• Experience in capital accounting, asset management, and technical accounting issues.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, including elected members.
• Experience providing expert technical advice to finance and non‑finance colleagues.
• Hands‑on experience with financial systems administration or system ownership.

Please note

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K.

Disclaimer

Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and are an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated, all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important

We will interpret your application as permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. In case the role requires an enhanced DBS, your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.