At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management and budget preparation for a local authority in Devon.
- Company: Join a supportive local authority team focused on community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, temporary contract, and potential referral bonuses.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with auditors and develop strategic financial skills.
- Why this job: Make a difference in local governance while enhancing your financial expertise.
- Qualifications: CCAB qualified with 3+ years in financial management accounting.
Location: Devon
Contract: Temporary (3 months)
Salary: £28.00 umbrella / £25.18 PAYE Inclusive / £22.47 PAYE Exclusive
Start Date: ASAP
Service Care Solutions are recruiting on behalf of a local authority in Devon for a Principal Accountant to join the team on a temporary basis. The postholder will provide a comprehensive accountancy and financial management service, including consolidating the revenue budget monitoring process, producing the annual budget and medium-term financial strategy, and working closely with internal and external auditors.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate revenue budget monitoring, forecasting, and annual budget preparation across Council services.
- Provide strategic financial advice and support for projects, service planning, and organisational initiatives.
- Take responsibility for key areas of the annual Statement of Accounts and liaise with external auditors throughout the audit process.
- Oversee the preparation and submission of complex statutory returns and government claims, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
Candidate Criteria
- CCAB qualified with minimum 3 years financial management accounting experience, including year-end accounts and statements process, with an emphasis on capital and asset accounting.
- Ability to see the bigger picture and impacts that investment opportunities have.
- Ability to interpret complex legislation and apply it to local conditions, understanding impacts and options.
- Effective communicator, particularly to a non-financial audience.
- Proficient in numeracy and IT, particularly Microsoft.
If you are interested in the role, or know of anyone who could be, please contact Rachel at Service Care Solutions.
Principal Accountant employer: Service Care Solutions
Service Care Solutions is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values professional growth and development. As a Principal Accountant in Devon, you will benefit from a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly impact local governance, alongside competitive pay and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful financial strategies for the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know about opportunities in local authorities. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job openings that aren't even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial management knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with budget monitoring and annual accounts. We want you to showcase how you can bring value to the team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your communication skills! As a Principal Accountant, you'll need to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial folks. Practice explaining your past projects in simple terms to show you can bridge that gap.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team, so don’t hesitate to put yourself out there!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Accountant role. Highlight your CCAB qualifications and relevant experience in financial management, especially focusing on budget preparation and statutory returns.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your ability to provide strategic financial advice and manage complex accounts.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since effective communication is key, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully communicated financial information to non-financial audiences. This will show us you can bridge the gap between finance and other departments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it, so don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Service Care Solutions
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Principal Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your financial expertise. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Prepare examples of how you've successfully forecasted and monitored revenue budgets.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Make sure you can articulate how your role impacts the wider organisation. Be prepared to discuss investment opportunities and their implications. Show that you can connect financial management with strategic planning.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll often need to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial colleagues. Practice simplifying your explanations and use relatable examples. This will showcase your ability to communicate effectively across different audiences.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Legislation
Since the role involves interpreting complex legislation, take some time to review relevant laws and regulations. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in relation to statutory returns and compliance.
