Group Accountant - and Regeneration Services. Hackney LilyLifestyle

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Hackney
, the internal talent team for Hackney Council is looking for a strategic, forward-thinking Group Accountant to provide lead financial support to a critical service division. If you are a qualified or highly experienced finance professional looking for a role that combines technical excellence with impactful civic leadership, we want to hear from you!

As a Group Accountant, you will be the lead financial support role for an assigned service division, with a primary focus on management accounting. This is a high-profile PO8 position where you will act as a trusted advisor to senior management, helping to model budgets, identify savings, and shape alternative operational strategies.

You will also take on a vital leadership role, managing a small, dedicated team to ensure they remain high-performing, customer-focused, and fit for purpose.

• Lead the Budget Cycle: Oversee the accurate production of the three main pillars of the annual budget cycle - budget setting, budget monitoring, and accounts closing - across both capital and revenue for your division.
• Provide Strategic Advice: Deliver high-quality, informed financial advice to guide operational decision-making, and confidently challenge budget holders when necessary.
• People Management: Direct, manage, and develop a Service Accountant and an Accountancy Assistant, overseeing appraisals, 1:1s, and performance management.
• Financial Modeling & Projects: Work with senior managers to manipulate and model service budgets to identify service savings and provide crucial financial support to major projects and change programmes.
• Quality Assurance: Guarantee the integrity of all external financial communications, including committee reports, Freedom of Information requests, and statistical returns.
• Statutory Compliance: Apply relevant financial controls, standing orders, and the scheme of delegation, while upholding the responsibilities of the S151 Officer in day-to-day business.
• Deputise: Step up to deputise for the Head of Finance when required.

We are seeking a proactive collaborator who understands the complexities of working within a political local government environment. You should bring:

• Qualifications &
  
  Experience:
  
  Either at least two years of experience as a CCAB qualified accountant
  , OR five years of accounting experience that clearly demonstrates your management and supervisory capabilities.
• Local Government Expertise: An in-depth understanding of local government finance and proven experience coordinating the annual budget cycle within a local authority.
• Exceptional Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex financial data into clear information for non-financial staff at all levels.
• Relationship Building: A track record of building positive, trusted working relationships with budget holders, senior management, and external stakeholders.

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.