Deputy Chief Accountant

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Ambient People

To support the chief accountant in leading and directing the Corporate Finance team, ensuring work is carried out in the most economic, efficient, effective, and customer-focused manner, in alignment with the Council’s strategic objectives, goals, and behaviours.

The Deputy Chief Accountant will provide support to the chief accountant in the delivery of the organisation’s end-to-end closedown process. The post holder will lead:

• the closedown process; and
• the non‑capital side of the Statement of Accounts

• Acting as lead for the organisation’s closedown process, including setting the timetable, engaging with stakeholders across the organisation, implementing soft close, and coordinating working papers.
• Overseeing closedown activities, including reviewing and completing accruals, reversals, reserve drawdowns and provisions.
• Leading on and taking ownership of the non‑capital side of the Statement of Accounts and working with the Head of Finance (Capital) to produce the Statement of Accounts.
• Coordinating and managing the grants register.
• Ensuring integrity of financial information and compliance with audit requirements. Leading on engagement with the organisation’s external auditors, and coordinating the progress of audit, including responses to audit queries.
• Feeding financial reports to Committees, for example, in relation to external audit progress and the Statement of Accounts. Coordinating ledger control and ensuring that an effective process for cyclical review is in place.
• Coordinating balance sheet reconciliations.
• Assisting with the production and presentation of complex and diverse financial information to members and other senior stakeholders that informs service and corporate decision‑making.
• Undertaking specialist project work of a complex nature, preparing reports, representing accountancy services on working groups, including some external groups, and providing financial management and related expertise as and when required.

• Full membership by examination of a CCAB recognised body (eg CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA)

• Have experience in a similar role in another Local Authority

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Finance and Accounting / Auditing

Government Administration