Principal Finance Officer in Kendal

Location: Penrith, Kendal or Barrow-in-Furness (With the facility to work from Carlisle. However, this will be a work base not a contractual location.)

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Principal Finance Officer to join our friendly, supportive and dynamic Finance Team.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in supporting Children’s Services, providing high-quality financial advice and guidance to managers across the service. You will work closely with colleagues to understand their financial needs, provide professional recommendations and help identify opportunities to improve financial performance and support effective service delivery.

As part of the role, you will also be responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records and preparing financial statements, grant claims, statistical returns and other financial reports within required deadlines.

You will be joining a collaborative team where your financial expertise, insight and ability to build positive working relationships will help support effective decision-making and contribute to the Council’s wider financial sustainability.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic finance professional who can bring strong technical knowledge alongside a practical and collaborative approach.

You should be a fully qualified CCAB accountant, or AAT qualified with at least five years’ relevant accountancy experience.

To succeed in this role, you will need to be able to work accurately and effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities and work well as part of a team. You will also be confident using your own initiative, providing professional advice and building effective working relationships with colleagues and managers.