Interim Accountant job in Devon Interim Lead Accountant – Devon based council Start: ASAP – booking likely to last 6 months Location: Devon - Hybrid working available Rate: Up to £300 per day Hays are seeking a motivated and ambitious Interim Lead Accountant to join our clients finance team and play a vital role in managing a council’s financial resources while supporting key decisions that shape the future of a Devon based council. In this pivotal role, you’ll provide expert financial advice and insight across Council services. You’ll lead the delivery of accurate financial reports, contribute to the preparation of management accounts, statutory returns, and strategic plans, and oversee a small team—prioritising workloads, supporting development, and ensuring deadlines are met. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence how we work, support high-profile projects, and contribute to innovative, long-term financial planning. Key Responsibilities: Produce and present clear, accurate financial reports (revenue, capital, and reserves) to Committees and senior leaders. Support the production of the annual statement of accounts in line with statutory requirements. Provide training and financial advice to colleagues and service managers. Help the Council manage financial risk and optimise resource use. Lead on workload planning and resource prioritisation across your team. Identify financial issues and opportunities early, and support timely action. Contribute to the development of financial systems and smarter ways of working. What We’re Looking For: Qualified, Part-qualified, or fully qualified AAT with strong local government finance experience. Solid understanding of local government finance, including statutory accounting and budget management. Experience in planning and managing your own work and leading a team. Excellent communication skills and a proactive, problem-solving mindset. VAT experience is desirable. 4726086