Principal Accountant

175 PAYE / 224.438 Umbrella daily rate

Temporary Contact April 2026

Full-Time 36.25 hour per week

Part-Time considered 30 hours per week

Corporate Finance plays a major role in supporting effective management of Council finances and secure stewardship of Council funds. This is achieved by providing financial advice on all corporate and service developments in order to support corporate decision‑making arrangements. The Service is responsible for development of the Councils medium term financial strategy and the annual budget setting process to ensure effective delivery of the Corporate Plan.

The Service also has to be flexible to meet the demands of legislative changes and is required to be reactive to client needs and external influences.

Corporate Finance consists of the following functions :
Financial and Management Accounting;
Treasury Management;
Financial Performance Monitoring;
Business Engagement;
Income Controls;
Financial Systems;
Creditors; and Banking Arrangements.

This role is within the Financial Accounting Team which is responsible for the treasury functions of the Council including managing daily cash flows and the provision of management information. Support is provided for both the General Fund and Housing capital addition to treasury and capital the team has responsibility for other technical areas which include VAT leasing Financial Regulations and other one‑off special projects that arise from time to time.

These projects can cover both General Fund and Housing issues.

The Financial Accounting Team is responsible for:

• The timely and accurate production of the annual Statement of Accounts.
• The HRA and Housing General Fund revenue and capital accounting.
• The Housing and General Fund Services capital programmes and accounting for capital including fixed asset accounting.
• The prompt allocation of all Council income including reconciliation to underlying records.
• The transmission of all the Councils BACS files.
• Regular budgetary control with necessary reporting to senior management. Regular liaison with Cost Centre Managers on budget issues ensuring appropriate evidence of control is maintained.
• Provision of accurate and timely financial management information to senior management and Members whilst working with Cost Centre Managers to find financial solutions to service priorities.
• Policy strategy and delivery in relation to Treasury Management (borrowing investments cash flow leasing and special financing).
• Assisting with the preparation of Council Tax base and use of reserves to feed into the overall Council Tax Setting process.
• Contributions to corporate governance in relation to Capital Strategy Treasury Management Strategy Annual Investment Strategy Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Notes.
• Other work such as VAT IFRS and Collection Fund.

• Preparation of the annual HRA and Housing General Fund budget estimates to agreed guidance and deadlines to feed into the overall budget setting process.
• Regularly review and monitor high risk budgets as agreed for example responsive repairs and capital programme.
• Assist the Housing Accountant in the annual review of rents and service charges.
• Contribute to the annual revision of the HRA 30‑year financial strategy as appropriate.
• To review the Transformation database regularly ensuring efficiencies are processed in a timely manner and budget pressures are highlighted as appropriate for decision making.
• To assist in the collation of data and regularly review the Policy Based Budgeting database as appropriate.
• Regular budgetary control and reporting to senior management and relevant business managers. To include day‑to‑day liaison on budget and service issues and financial controls. Provision of other financial information to senior management and business managers as and when appropriate.
• To provide a business advisory role and guidance on financial matters and support to cost centre managers. There is a requirement to ensure resources are used effectively to deliver key priorities and that any budget performance issues are identified and addressed.
• To contribute to the preparation of the Councils Annual…