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- Tasks: Lead financial operations for the Surrey Pension Fund and ensure compliance.
- Company: Join a local authority committed to public service and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public finance while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in public sector finance.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
3 month contract role with a Local Authority.
A Senior Financial Accountant is required to provide high-level financial leadership for the Surrey Pension Fund during a critical period. This is a hands-on contract role focused on maintaining business-as-usual operations while supporting the year-end cycle. The successful candidate will take ownership of financial accounting, reporting, controls, and stakeholder engagement within a public sector pensions environment.
Key Duties/Accountabilities:
- Lead and maintain robust financial controls, governance, and compliance frameworks.
- Manage budgeting processes and financial forecasting for the Pension Fund.
- Oversee cashflow management, banking operations, and financial transactions.
- Take ownership of pension fund accounts and ensure audit readiness for the annual report.
- Produce and present high-quality financial reports to senior leadership, committees, and boards.
- Provide leadership and direction to a small finance team, ensuring effective delivery of priorities.
- Act as deputy for the Head of Pensions (Resources) when required.
- Ensure accurate reconciliations and effective risk management processes.
- Engage with key stakeholders including auditors, investment teams, and external partners.
Skills/Experience:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIPFA).
- Strong experience within LGPS or public sector finance.
- Proven expertise in financial accounting, reporting, and governance.
- Advanced financial systems, data analysis, and modelling skills.
- Strong reconciliation and audit preparation experience.
- Demonstrated leadership of finance teams or functions.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial data clearly.
- Ability to work autonomously and deliver under pressure.
- Experience stabilising and improving BAU finance operations.
Additional Information:
- Contract length: 3 months initially, with potential extension.
- Location: Woking, Surrey (hybrid working, on-site as required).
Senior Financial Accountant in Surrey employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Civic Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Accountant in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with public sector roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial reporting and governance knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and managed financial controls in past roles. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, highlight specific achievements in budgeting processes or audit preparations. This will help us see your impact in previous positions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Accountant in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Financial Accountant role. Highlight your experience in financial accounting, reporting, and governance, especially within the public sector. We want to see how your skills match 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 contract role. Share specific examples of your leadership in finance teams and your experience with LGPS or public sector finance.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be presenting complex financial data, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. In your application, mention any experiences where you've successfully engaged with stakeholders or presented to senior leadership.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Civic Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Financial Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial accounting and reporting. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgeting processes and financial forecasting in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a small finance team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully directed teams in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve improved BAU finance operations or engaged with stakeholders effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about financial controls, governance, and compliance frameworks. Familiarise yourself with the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and be ready to discuss how you've ensured audit readiness and effective risk management in your previous positions.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll need to present complex financial data to senior leadership and committees. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms, and prepare to discuss how you've tailored your communication style to different audiences in the past.