Principal Accountant in Manchester

Principal Accountant in Manchester

Manchester Temporary 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Ivy Rock Partners

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support financial transformation and develop accurate costing models for traded services.
  • Company: Local Authority undergoing organisational change, seeking experienced finance professionals.
  • Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working arrangements, and opportunity for impactful work.
  • Other info: Ideal for proactive candidates looking for a dynamic interim role until March 2027.
  • Why this job: Make a difference in local services while enhancing your financial expertise.
  • Qualifications: Experience in local authorities or commercial finance, strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

  • Interim Principal Accountant – Traded Services & Property Costing
  • £500 per day (potential flexibility for the right candidate)
  • Contract until March 2027

We are working with a Local Authority that is seeking an experienced Interim Principal Accountant to provide support during a period of organisational change and transformation.

You will be responsible for supporting a range of traded and property-related services, helping to develop and maintain accurate costing models and ensuring full cost recovery across service areas.

A key area of focus will be a corporate landlord/property model, ensuring all direct and indirect costs are captured and appropriately charged to service users and tenants.

This includes reviewing costs associated with facilities management, maintenance, cleaning, trades staff, and support services to ensure services are not operating at a loss.

You will work closely with Heads of Service and senior operational stakeholders, providing challenge where necessary and ensuring all relevant costs are included within financial models, including overheads such as HR, procurement, finance transaction processing, and other support functions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Review and develop traded service costing models.
  • Deliver full income and expenditure analysis and support full cost recovery exercises.
  • Support service redesign and transformation projects from a financial perspective.
  • Analyse property and facilities management cost structures.
  • Ensure all direct and indirect costs are accurately identified and allocated.
  • Challenge stakeholders on assumptions, omissions, and financial performance.
  • Provide financial insight and support to operational managers and Heads of Service.
  • Contribute to the development of sustainable and commercially robust service models.

You will ideally have

  • Experience working within local authorities, traded services, commercial operations, or cost recovery environments.
  • Strong understanding of full cost recovery methodologies.
  • Experience of property, facilities management, corporate landlord, or similar service costing models.
  • Strong commercial finance skills, including P&L and trading account analysis.
  • Confidence engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders.
  • A proactive and hands-on approach with a strong work ethic.
  • Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) desirable but Qualified by Experience candidates will also be considered.

Applications are welcomed from both public and private sector candidates.

Local government experience would be advantageous but is not essential.

Candidates from commercial organisations with strong property, facilities management, infrastructure, or traded services experience are encouraged to apply.

If you have a strong background in traded services, cost recovery, or property-related finance and are available for an interim assignment, we'd be keen to hear from you.

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Principal Accountant in Manchester employer: Ivy Rock Partners

Ivy Rock Partners is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration within the digital transformation team. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, with opportunities for mentoring and skill enhancement, all while contributing to meaningful projects that improve user experiences in digital services. Located in a vibrant area, the company promotes a culture of inclusivity and teamwork, making it an attractive place for those looking to make a significant impact in their careers.

Ivy Rock Partners

Contact Details:

Ivy Rock Partners Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Accountant in Manchester

Join Financial Networking Events

Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.

Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance

Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Ivy Rock Partners.

Connect with Alumni from Your Uni

Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.

Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Ivy Rock Partners might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Accountant in Manchester

Costing Models Development
Full Cost Recovery Methodologies
Income and Expenditure Analysis
Property and Facilities Management Cost Structures
Stakeholder Engagement
Commercial Finance Skills
P&L Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Ivy Rock Partners will be keen to see in your application.

Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Ivy Rock Partners. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Ivy Rock Partners confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Ivy Rock Partners

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Ivy Rock Partners.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Ivy Rock Partners that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.