Role: Principle Accountant
Contract: 3 months
Location: Brighton, UK (Hybrid - 2 days in the office)
Working shifts: Monday to Friday (Full time)
Working pattern: 9:00am to 5:00 pm (35 working hour/week)
Job Purpose
We are seeking a highly analytical and commercially minded Principal Accountant to support financial planning, budgeting, and performance management activities across the organisation. The successful candidate will play a key role in consolidating budget information, producing detailed financial reports, analysing financial performance, and providing strategic financial insight to support effective decision-making. This role requires strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to translate complex financial data into meaningful recommendations for senior management.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the consolidation, monitoring, and reporting of budgets across multiple departments or business areas.
* Prepare and deliver accurate and timely financial reports, forecasts, and management information for senior stakeholders.
* Analyse financial performance, identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations.
* Support the annual budgeting and financial planning process, ensuring robust financial controls and accurate forecasting.
* Conduct variance analysis and investigate significant deviations from budget or forecast.
* Work closely with budget holders and departmental managers to provide financial guidance and challenge where appropriate.
* Develop and maintain financial models to support business planning, scenario analysis, and strategic initiatives.
* Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of financial data used for reporting and decision-making.
* Prepare presentations and financial summaries for senior leadership, committees, and key stakeholders.
* Support the development and continuous improvement of financial reporting processes, systems, and performance measures.
* Contribute to organisational projects and initiatives by providing financial analysis and business insight.
* Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations, accounting standards, policies, and procedures.
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Experience
* Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) or significant relevant experience.
* Strong experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
* Experience consolidating financial information from multiple departments, services, or cost centres.
* Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modelling, pivot tables, and data analysis.
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail.
* Experience presenting financial information to senior stakeholders and non-finance audiences.
* Strong stakeholder management and business partnering skills.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
* Knowledge of financial systems and reporting tools.
Desirable Skills and Experience
* Experience within local government, public sector, education, healthcare, housing, or large corporate organisations.
* Experience using finance systems such as SAP, Oracle, Unit4, Agresso, or similar.
* Knowledge of performance management frameworks and strategic financial planning.
* Experience developing dashboards and reporting solutions using tools such as Power BI.
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