Principal Accountant Location: West Yorkshire Contract: Temporary (6 months) Salary: £350-£400 per day Start Date: ASAP Contact: (url removed) Job Description Service Care Solutions are recruiting on behalf of a local authority in West Yorkshire for a Principal Management Accountant to join the team on a temporary basis. The postholder will delivering high-quality financial management and strategic support across maintained schools and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) portfolio. Reporting into senior finance leadership, you will manage a small team of finance professionals and provide expert financial advice, analysis, and oversight across a complex and high-profile area of service delivery. Key Responsibilities Lead financial management, monitoring, reporting and governance across a portfolio of maintained schools and the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), including the High Needs Block. Support the development of medium-term financial planning, budget setting, forecasting, statutory returns, grant claims and final accounts in line with regulatory requirements. Manage, develop and support a team of school finance professionals, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial services and advice. Act as a key finance partner to operational managers and senior stakeholders, providing strategic financial guidance and deputising for senior finance leadership when required.Candidate Criteria Significant experien...