Job Description
6 month contract role with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Finance Manager – Capital required for an interim assignment with Slough Borough Council. This role will focus on the technical year-end financial accounting requirements for capital for the 2025/26 accounts.
• The postholder will take responsibility for fixed asset accounting, preparation and review of capital journals, and production of statutory notes to the accounts.
• This is an Executive-level agency assignment (Inside IR35) to support known absences within the Finance & Commercial function.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead on technical year-end capital accounting processes for 2025/26.
• Update and maintain the Fixed Asset Register in line with CIPFA requirements.
• Prepare, review and post complex capital journals.
• Produce and reconcile capital-related notes to the Statement of Accounts.
• Ensure compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.
• Support the closedown timetable and ensure delivery to strict statutory deadlines.
• Liaise with external auditors and respond to audit queries relating to capital accounting.
• Review capital expenditure classifications and funding allocations.
• Ensure proper accounting treatment of capital grants, borrowing and financing.
• Provide technical advice to senior finance colleagues on capital accounting matters.
• Assist with balance sheet reconciliations relating to capital and fixed assets.
• Contribute to strengthening financial controls and improving processes where required.
Skills/Experience:
• Fully qualified accounting professional (CCAB qualified – e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIPFA or CIMA).
• Significant experience in local authority capital accounting.
• Strong knowledge of CIPFA Code of Practice and Local Authority Accounting regulations.
• Experience of preparing and reviewing fixed asset registers.
• Proven experience preparing capital journals and year-end working papers.
• Experience supporting external audit processes.
• Strong technical financial accounting skills.
• Experience of working to tight year-end deadlines.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with financial systems.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience in a local government finance environment.
Additional Information:
• The closing date: 18/02/2026.
• Client: Slough Borough Council.
• Location: Observatory House, Slough.
• Hours: 37 per week (09:00–17:30).
• Focus: 2025/26 capital year-end accounts.
Requirements
• Fully qualified accounting professional (CCAB qualified – e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIPFA or CIMA). • Significant experience in local authority capital accounting. • Strong knowledge of CIPFA Code of Practice and Local Authority Accounting regulations. • Experience of preparing and reviewing fixed asset registers. • Proven experience preparing capital journals and year-end working papers. • Experience supporting external audit processes. • Strong technical financial accounting skills. • Experience of working to tight year-end deadlines. • Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with financial systems. • Strong analytical and reconciliation skills. • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. • Experience in a local government finance environment.