Senior Financial Accountant

The role of Senior Financial Accountant - Financial Reporting report into the Chief Accountant and is responsible for leading and managing the financial reporting and accounts closedown process for the Council and play a key role in the production of the Statement of Accounts, including the overall Group Accounts consolidation. You will also deputise for the Chief Accountant when required as well as be the technical 'centre of excellence' on all financial reporting and compliance.

The main duties of the role will include:

• Ensure the Council maintains accurate and meaningful financial information, to meet management and statutory reporting requirements (including relevant Codes of Practice) by carrying out regular data integrity review, data cleansing and reconciliation of the core systems, reports, chart of accounts and trial balances.
• Work alongside the Chief Accountant to manage the closure of account process and production of the year-end Statement of Accounts and Group Accounts.
• Support the internal and external audit processes, coordinating responses and progress. Liaise with the auditors throughout the process, address changes to the accounts, implement recommendations arising and process improvements where necessary.
• Proactively review internal controls and identify areas of internal control weaknesses and implement improvements and on-going solutions to address those weaknesses.
• Maintain and develop relevant financial and management reports, processes and timetables, to enable the delivery of key corporate processes, such as the corporate budget monitoring, budget setting and year-end accounts, to conform to professional standards and key deadlines.

This role requires an experienced CCAB qualified accountant who has experience of working in large complex public sector organisations and in-depth knowledge of Local Government Finance with a clear understanding of the major issues, priorities and demands facing Councils and the impact on their financial needs.

The role is being offered on a permanent basis with a salary range of 67,812 to 73,647. The working pattern is hybrid with circa 2 days a week in the office.