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 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 in Wakefield employer: Lynx Employment Services
Lynx Employment Services is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where you can make a meaningful impact on local education finance. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide opportunities for professional advancement while fostering a collaborative culture that values innovation and integrity. Join us to contribute to the financial stewardship of public funds and support our mission to enhance educational outcomes for the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Management / Financial Accountant in Wakefield
✨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 might not even be 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 practising your answers. This will help you feel confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! During interviews, be ready to discuss specific examples where you've used your financial expertise to solve problems or improve processes. We love hearing about real-life experiences that demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else. So, get clicking and let’s land that job together!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Management / Financial Accountant in Wakefield
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, especially anything related to the Dedicated Schools Grant and financial reporting. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, don’t just list your qualifications; showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills. Give examples of how you've interpreted complex financial information and communicated it effectively. This will help us see your potential impact on our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to follow the application process step-by-step. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lynx Employment Services
✨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 significant interaction with senior stakeholders and operational managers. Prepare examples of how you've built relationships and provided financial advice in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to simplify complex financial information for non-financial audiences.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and analytical skills. Think about scenarios where you've had to analyse funding changes or manage budget pressures. Practise articulating your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Government Regulations
Understanding local government finance regulations is crucial for this position. Research the latest updates and be prepared to discuss how these might impact financial management in schools. Showing that you're up-to-date will demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role.
