Chief Accountant

17th August, 2026

Tempting Recruitment are working alongside our client, who are looking to recruit an experienced Chief Accountant to join their team based in the West Sussex area.

• PAY RATE: £800 - £850 per day
• WORK TYPE:
  Permanent
• WORK PATTERN:
  Full Time
• LOCATION:
  
  West Sussex (2 days in office per week)

My client is seeking an experienced Chief Accountant to provide senior leadership across the Council's financial management function. You will lead a team of up to 20 finance professionals and play a key role in ensuring strong financial governance, statutory compliance and the effective delivery of the Council's financial objectives.

This is a senior position within the Finance leadership team, requiring a confident finance professional who can operate strategically while maintaining strong oversight of core financial processes and controls.

• Lead, manage and develop the Chief Accountant's Team, providing clear direction and ensuring effective delivery across the function.
• Oversee the development and ongoing management of the Council's core financial systems, ensuring technology continues to support evolving business and financial requirements.
• Provide leadership on the Council's overall financial governance framework, ensuring robust controls, standards and processes are established, maintained and regularly reviewed.
• Lead the development and maintenance of financial regulations, schemes of delegation, procedures and guidance, ensuring these remain aligned with legislation, government requirements, professional standards and best practice.
• Assess the financial and accounting implications of changes to government policy, legislation and professional requirements, providing clear advice to senior management.
• Ensure the Council meets its statutory and formal financial reporting obligations, including the preparation and submission of relevant government and statistical returns.
• Maintain compliance with the CIPFA Financial Management Code and support the continued strengthening of the Council's financial management arrangements.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and competencies:

• Significant senior-level accounting and financial management experience within the public sector.
• Strong knowledge of statutory accounts, financial governance, accounting principles and relevant legislation and professional standards.
• Experience leading teams and managing key internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• A proven track record of producing accurate, timely and high-quality financial information.
• Strong organisational skills, with a structured and methodical approach to financial management.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Strong technical accounting and financial reporting expertise.

Please be advised that only candidates that have the specific skills and experiences required for this role will be shortlisted and submitted to our client for review.