At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations, reporting, and budgeting for the Surrey Pension Fund.
- Company: Join a key public-sector organisation making a difference in pension finance.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a vital role with leadership opportunities and financial governance.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong public-sector finance experience.
- Other info: Ideal for proactive individuals ready to step into a senior role.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
The Surrey Pension Fund is seeking an experienced Senior Financial Accountant to provide high‑calibre financial leadership during a key period. You will take operational ownership of fund accounting, reporting, controls, budgeting and senior stakeholder engagement, ensuring business‑as‑usual continuity and supporting the year‑end cycle. This is a hands‑on, delivery‑focused assignment ideal for a seasoned contractor with strong LGPS/public‑sector pensions finance experience.
Key Deliverables
- Financial Controls & Governance — ensure robust reconciliations, controls, compliance and risk management.
- Budgeting & Forecasting — manage the Surrey Pension Team budget and Fund forecasts.
- Cashflow & Banking Operations — oversee all income, banking transactions, allocations and KPIs.
- Pension Fund Accounts & Annual Report — oversee preparation, accuracy and audit readiness.
- Reporting & Insight — draft and present high‑quality financial reports for Committee/Board and senior leadership.
- Team Leadership — oversee a small team, providing direction, prioritisation and support.
- Deputise for Head of Pensions – Resources when required.
Essential Experience
- Fully qualified accountant: ACA / ACCA / CIPFA
- Strong LGPS or public‑sector finance experience
- High proficiency with financial systems, data analysis, modelling and reconciliation
- Proven ability to interpret and communicate complex financial information
Leadership & Delivery
- Track record of successfully leading finance teams or functions
- Ability to stabilise, organise and improve BAU activities
- Clear, confident communication with senior boards and committees
- Strong stakeholder management across finance, investments, auditors and external partners
- Highly organised, proactive, independent and delivery‑driven
Ideal Contractor Profile
- Immediately available or short notice
- Comfortable stepping into a senior role with autonomy
- Skilled at stabilising workloads, improving clarity, and driving outcomes quickly
- Confident presenting financial insights to non‑finance audiences
SNR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT in Knaphill employer: Deekay Technical Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Deekay Technical Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SNR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT in Knaphill
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those with experience in LGPS or public-sector roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial controls and governance knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and forecasts in the past. We want you to showcase your expertise and confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to tailor your approach! When applying through our website, highlight your leadership experience and ability to communicate complex financial info clearly. This will make you stand out as a candidate who can engage with senior stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest and summarising how your skills align with the role can leave a lasting impression. It shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace SNR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT in Knaphill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Financial Accountant role. Highlight your experience with financial controls, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement. 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 role. Mention your LGPS/public-sector finance experience and how you can hit the ground running. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves team leadership, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Talk about how you've led teams in the past and how you can support and guide our small team at the Surrey Pension Fund.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications 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 Deekay Technical Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Financial Accountant, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial controls and governance. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed reconciliations and compliance in previous roles. This will show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led finance teams or functions. Be ready to talk about specific situations where you provided direction and support, especially in high-pressure environments. This will highlight your ability to stabilise and improve business-as-usual activities.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll likely be presenting financial reports to senior boards and committees, so practice explaining complex financial information in simple terms. Think of examples where you’ve communicated insights to non-finance audiences, as this will demonstrate your ability to engage stakeholders effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would handle budgeting and forecasting challenges or cashflow issues. This will showcase your proactive and delivery-driven mindset, which is crucial for this role.