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 to influence strategic financial planning in a supportive environment.
- 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 - 65000 £ per year.
Wakefield, West Yorkshire (WF1) £26.62 per hour PAYE 22 June 2026 - 1 December 2026. 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 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 opportunities for professional growth, collaboration with key stakeholders, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on local schools. The culture promotes teamwork and innovation, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to strategic financial planning.
Contact Details:
Lynx Employment Services Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Management / Financial Accountant
✨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 creating a list of potential questions and practicing your answers. Confidence is key, so let your expertise shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! During interviews, be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex financial issues in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and how you can add value to the team.
✨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 are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let's get you that Principal Management / Financial Accountant role!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Management / Financial Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Principal Management / Financial Accountant. Highlight your experience with public sector finance, budgeting, and any relevant qualifications. 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 specific experiences that relate to managing the Dedicated Schools Grant and your ability to provide strategic financial advice.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully interpreted complex financial information in the past. We love seeing how you’ve used your skills to solve problems and support decision-making.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lynx Employment Services Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around management accounting and budgeting. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed budgets or provided financial advice in previous roles.
✨Understand the DSG
Since this role focuses on the Dedicated Schools Grant, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with its intricacies. Research recent changes in education funding and be ready to discuss how these might impact financial planning and reporting.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This position requires strong relationship-building skills. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with senior managers or stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you’ve communicated complex financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.
✨Excel at Excel
Given the emphasis on advanced Microsoft Excel skills, practice using functions and formulas that are relevant to financial analysis. You might even want to prepare a quick demonstration of your Excel capabilities if the opportunity arises during the interview.
