A South-East based local authority is currently recruiting for a Deputy Chief Accountant to lead their final accounts team for a period of 3-4 months.

The role would be offered remote with on-site attendance required maybe once a month.

They will offer a day rate of £650 - £700 per day umbrella (inside IR35).

They require an experienced local government closedown expert with experience of managing the production of the annual accounts and liaising with stakeholders and external auditors. You will only be considered if you have suitable experience within a local authority

Job Purpose

Manage the production of the annual Statement of Accounts.
Manage the relationship with External Audit and key stakeholders to ensure accurate information and explanations are provided in a timely manner.
Maintain the integrity of the chart of accounts, balances, transactions and controls that facilitate all aspects of statutory and management reporting.
Provide technical accounting advice to Council staff to ensure that best practice and relevant accounting standards and guidance is followed.
Analyse and provide advice on potential impacts of changes in accounting codes of practice.
Deputise for the Chief Accountant in matters concerning financial accounting, accounts payable and financial systems administration and developments.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate the production of the annual Statement of Accounts in accordance with the CIPFA Accounting Code, the statutory timetable and other relevant guidance ensuring that recommendations are minimised.
Manage the professional training and produce process notes on setting and maintaining internal standards for technical accounting procedures and processes to ensure that all accountants and appropriate staff in Directorates follow best practice.
Liaise with the Council’s External Auditor in their scrutiny of the Council’s accounts ensuring that the audit process is as efficient as possible and complete working papers that are available for audit scrutiny.
Respond to Audit recommendations in a timely way and ensure that all advisory actions are implemented and subject to ongoing review to ensure compliance and standards are maintained.
Ensure monthly bank reconciliations are completed and suspense accounts are cleared on a regular basis and cleared by the year end to ensure all appropriate transactions are recorded in management accounts.
Ensure the regular production and sign off of all required reconciliations in accordance with the prescribed timetable, including the clearing suspense accounts in a timely manner.
Prepare briefing reports in response to technical accounting consultations from CIPFA and government departments as required.
Work with the Financial Systems Team, ensure that the General Ledger system and Chart of Accounts are maintained and complies with accounting presentation standards that deliver accurate and timely reporting from the system.
VAT is correctly accounted for and re-claimed from HMRC within deadline, and financial inspections are responded to quickly to good customer relationships are maintained.
Manage accurate and timely VAT and tax accounting and reporting and secure relevant advice from the Council’s tax advisers as required.

If you have the right experience suitable for this position, APPLY NOW and we’ll be in touch.