At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality capital finance advice and manage financial information for exciting regeneration projects.
- Company: Join Swansea Council's dynamic finance team driving local regeneration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, local government pension, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Swansea's future while growing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Experience in project appraisal and financial planning; chartered accountant status is a plus.
- Other info: Flexible working conditions and a supportive team environment await you.
The predicted salary is between 46142 - 50269 £ per year.
Overview
Post title: Principal Accountant – Capital
Post number: FN.66175
Salary: £46,142 – £50,269 per year
Directorate/department: Finance
Closing date: 11.45pm, 2 October 2025
Job description: Principal Accountant – Capital (FN.66175) Job description ( PDF, 316 KB )
Apply online for post FN.66175
We are looking to recruit two finance professionals who want to play a key role in the regeneration of Swansea through providing high quality capital finance advice, project appraisal, financial funding advice, financial planning and monitoring. Swansea has delivered on a number of exciting regeneration projects for the region and has further ambitions for place shaping regeneration within its capital plan. In addition to your salary and excellent pension, you will be joining a super team that has access to flexible working conditions and will have opportunities to develop yourself and your career.
Join Our Finance Team in Swansea
Swansea is undergoing exciting changes with a wide range of regeneration projects. We\’re transforming the city and surrounding areas to better serve our residents, grow our economy, and protect our beautiful natural environment.
Job Opportunity
We\’re looking for two motivated finance professionals to help shape the future of Swansea and the region. This is a great chance to grow your career while making a real impact.
What You\’ll Need
- We\’re looking for people with experience in:
- Reviewing and assessing projects and investment appraisal
- Planning and tracking capital project spend and financial risk
- Understanding how to fund capital spending
- Giving financial advice to different teams and stakeholders
It\’s helpful if you\’re a qualified chartered accountant, but we also welcome part-qualified applicants who are working towards their qualification and have practical experience. You should be willing to learn more about capital assets and financing in a local government setting.
What You\’ll Do
You\’ll manage financial information for business cases in the capital pipeline, capital budgets, monitor spending, report on progress, advise on capital funding and help close the books at year-end. This role offers variety and interesting challenges and is rewarding. We welcome applicants from all sectors and will help you learn about local government finance. Our teams include experienced local government professionals and newcomers from the private sector.
If you are interested or unsure if you\’re likely to meet the person specification, please reach out to Simon Arthurs or Liz Rees to arrange an informal discussion. simon.arthurs@swansea.gov.uk or Elizabeth.rees@swansea.gov.uk
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Local government pension scheme
- Hybrid working options
- Wellbeing services
- Opportunities to grow your technical and personal skills and support your career development
Whilst we know that partnering with agencies is a key partnership in filling roles within the Council, we respectfully request that agencies do not contact us at this stage in the recruitment cycle.
Safeguarding
Within Swansea Council there is a \”Safeguarding is Everybody\’s Business\” principle, and this applies to all Swansea Council employees, elected members, volunteers and contractors. Further details can be found at https://www.swansea.gov.uk/corporatesafeguarding
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Principal Accountant - Capital X 2 (closing date: 02/10/25) employer: Swansea Council
Contact Detail:
Swansea Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Accountant - Capital X 2 (closing date: 02/10/25)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Swansea Council or in similar roles. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on local government finance. We want to show that we’re not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in how our role can impact Swansea’s regeneration projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to capital finance and project appraisal. We can even do mock interviews with friends to build confidence and refine our answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Accountant - Capital X 2 (closing date: 02/10/25)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Accountant role. Highlight your experience in capital finance, project appraisal, and financial planning. We want to see how your skills align with 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 passionate about the role and how you can contribute to Swansea's regeneration projects. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Whether you're a fully qualified chartered accountant or part-qualified, make sure to mention your qualifications and any practical experience. We value both education and hands-on experience, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swansea Council
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Principal Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've assessed projects and managed capital budgets in the past. Use specific examples to showcase your experience.
✨Understand the Local Context
Familiarise yourself with Swansea's regeneration projects and the local government's financial landscape. Showing that you understand the challenges and opportunities in the area will impress the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific financial situations or project appraisals. Think through potential scenarios related to capital funding and risk management, and prepare structured responses that highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Engage with the Team
This role involves collaboration with various teams and stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated financial advice in the past. Show enthusiasm for working within a team and your willingness to learn from others in the local government setting.