Job Description
3 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Chief Accountant – Wiltshire Council. The role is the technical lead for the Council’s central finance function, responsible for preparing the Statement of Accounts, treasury management, VAT, insurance, and technical accounting functions such as asset accounting and the Collection Fund.
• The Chief Accountant provides strategic financial advice, ensures compliance with statutory accounting regulations, and supports decision-making at senior leadership levels.
• This role leads a small team of finance professionals and manages key aspects of the Council’s £527m revenue and £500m capital budgets.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead the production of the Council’s annual Statement of Accounts and relevant government returns.
• Provide strategic financial advice to support short, medium, and long-term planning, including scenario modelling for capital and revenue.
• Ensure financial data is accurate, robust, and compliant with statutory guidance (CIPFA, HMRC, Government Departments).
• Manage treasury strategy, borrowing, and investments in line with Council policies.
• Provide technical accounting advice on complex financial issues and statutory compliance.
• Oversee finance team operations, including asset accounting, VAT, tax, insurance, and the Chart of Accounts.
• Act as the Council’s lead representative on financial consultation, statutory reporting, and regulatory changes.
• Develop and implement processes and procedures for excellence in financial transactions and control environment.
• Engage with senior officers, elected members, external auditors, and stakeholders to provide high-quality advice and reporting.
• Manage outsourced finance activities and ensure compliance with internal and external standards.
Skills/Experience:
• Professional accountancy qualification (CCAB) with extensive senior financial management experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of financial accounting, statutory reporting, VAT, treasury, and asset accounting.
• Experience managing finance teams, complex financial projects, and budgets at a senior level.
• Advanced knowledge of financial systems (e.g., SAP), general ledger, fixed asset registers, and Excel/data interrogation.
• Ability to provide strategic financial advice and modelling for decision-making.
• Knowledge of local government finance, statutory regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Experience operating in politically sensitive environments and liaising with senior officers, members, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight statutory deadlines.
Additional Information:
• Location: County Hall, Wiltshire.
• Hours: 37 per week.
Requirements
• Professional accountancy qualification (CCAB) with extensive senior financial management experience. • Strong technical knowledge of financial accounting, statutory reporting, VAT, treasury, and asset accounting. • Experience managing finance teams, complex financial projects, and budgets at a senior level. • Advanced knowledge of financial systems (e.g., SAP), general ledger, fixed asset registers, and Excel/data interrogation. • Ability to provide strategic financial advice and modelling for decision-making. • Knowledge of local government finance, statutory regulations, and compliance requirements. • Experience operating in politically sensitive environments and liaising with senior officers, members, and external stakeholders. • Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills. • Ability to work under pressure to meet tight statutory deadlines.