At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial management for schools and ensure compliance with funding regulations.
- Company: Join a dynamic local authority finance team in Wakefield.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, professional development, and impactful work.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence strategic financial planning.
- Why this job: Make a difference in education finance while developing your career.
- Qualifications: CCAB-qualified accountant with public sector finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Wakefield, West Yorkshire (WF1) £26.62 per hour PAYE
Lynx Employment Services are recruiting for an experienced Principal Management / Financial Accountant to support a busy local authority finance team. This role focuses on the management of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and financial support for maintained schools, ensuring robust financial management, statutory compliance, and high-quality financial advice.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy by analysing future funding, income streams, demand pressures, inflation, and legislative changes.
- Assist in ensuring proper financial administration and effective stewardship of public funds.
- Coordinate the production of revenue and capital budgets, forecasts, and final accounts in line with statutory and best practice requirements.
- Provide regular financial reporting, analysis, forecasting, and strategic advice to operational managers and senior stakeholders.
- Support effective budget management and resource planning across service areas.
- Deliver professional financial advice on policy developments, service changes, and financial implications of strategic decisions.
- Attend and contribute to meetings, working groups, budget clinics, and management forums.
- Ensure accurate and timely completion of grant claims and financial returns.
- Produce financial information and statutory returns for government departments and external bodies.
- Support the financial management and reporting requirements of maintained schools.
- Provide oversight and monitoring of the Dedicated Schools Grant, including reporting and liaison with key stakeholders.
- Deputise for senior finance management when required.
Essential Requirements
- CCAB-qualified accountant (or equivalent).
- Significant experience within public sector or local government finance.
- Strong knowledge of management accounting, financial accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Experience of DSG, education finance, schools funding, or grant management.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate findings clearly.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial systems experience.
- Experience supporting senior managers and budget holders with financial decision-making.
Desirable
- Experience working with maintained schools and education funding.
- Knowledge of local government finance regulations and reporting requirements.
- Experience preparing returns and submissions to organisations such as the DfE and CIPFA.
- Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified finance professional to play a key role in supporting education finance and strategic financial planning within a large public sector organisation.
Principal Management / Financial Accountant in Leeds employer: Lynx Employment Services Ltd
Lynx Employment Services offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for finance professionals, particularly in the public sector. With a focus on education finance, employees benefit from competitive pay, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on local schools and communities. The collaborative culture encourages innovation and provides ample resources for career growth, making it an excellent choice for those seeking rewarding employment in Wakefield.
Contact Details:
Lynx Employment Services Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Management / Financial Accountant in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with local government or education finance. 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 knowledge of the Dedicated Schools Grant and public sector finance. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to financial management to show you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to employers looking for someone just like you.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Management / Financial Accountant in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Management / Financial Accountant role. Highlight your experience with public sector finance, especially around the Dedicated Schools Grant and budgeting. 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 our team. Mention specific experiences that relate to the key responsibilities in the job description. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for the role!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your analytical and problem-solving skills. We’re looking for someone who can interpret complex financial information and communicate it clearly. Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate these abilities!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lynx Employment Services Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Principal Management / Financial Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial management. Brush up on key financial concepts, especially those related to the Dedicated Schools Grant and public sector finance. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and forecasts in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role involves working closely with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've built relationships and communicated complex financial information clearly. Think about times when your advice influenced decision-making and be ready to share those stories.
✨Be Familiar with Legislation
Understanding local government finance regulations is crucial. Make sure you’re up to date with any recent changes that could impact the role. You might be asked about how these regulations affect financial reporting or grant management, so have some insights ready.
✨Excel at Excel
Given the emphasis on advanced Microsoft Excel skills, be prepared to discuss your experience with financial systems and data analysis. If possible, bring examples of reports or analyses you've created. This will show your practical skills and readiness for the role.
