Principal Accountant

Job Category : Finance

Location : 222 Upper Street, London Borough of Islington

Start Date : Immediate Start

Salary : £51,099.00

We are looking for candidates who are fully or part CABB-qualified to join the Corporate Finance team, supporting the Strategic Finance Manager and Finance Managers for Revenue. We are looking for someone who has a good understanding of financial accounting and excellent communication skills. Key responsibilities in the role include: providing technical financial advice across the council; supporting the delivery of the Statement of Accounts, and working with internal and external audit; ensuring strong policies and procedures are in place to deliver sound financial practices and controls; identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and modernisation; and supporting preparations for the implementation of the new finance system.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Awareness

• Inform the strategic vision of the service that enables the council to meet its future

challenges, actively supporting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

• Contribute towards the development and implementation of the council’s financial strategy

• Identify financial risks and opportunities as and when they arise, inform others in the team

and collectively consider options to mitigate risks or exploit opportunities.

• Contribute to the creation of a digital culture within the service by embracing technology in

every-day activities and actively seeking digital improvement opportunities in support of a

service-wide digital strategy

Financial Planning and Budget Setting

• Provide support for the annual budget setting process and medium-term financial planning

process. Assist with the preparation of detailed revenue and capital expenditure and income

budgets in conjunction with Finance Managers, that meet corporate and departmental

objectives

• Develop appropriate financial models and analytics to determine the financial impact of

future service demands, changes in legislation and other factors affecting resource

requirements

• Instigate, develop and support the attainment of alternative sources of funding that

contribute towards identified funding gaps

Financial Management

• Support the efficient and effective provision of a comprehensive financial management

function, including all aspects of the annual estimates process, budget maintenance,

monitoring and control.

• Support the preparation, analysis and provision of accurate financial management

information, including budget monitoring reports and forecasts, promptly highlighting any

risks and trends, in line with the council’s policies and procedures.

• Promote a culture which empowers budget holders and supports the delivery of value for

money services and knowledge of key cost drivers

• Prepare journals and the supporting documentation as required.

• Proactively seek and take responsibility for implementing internal process improvements,

demonstrating the business case for change and benefits achieved.


Qualifications

Essential

criteria

Criteria description Assessed by

1 Qualified CCAB or actively studying towards obtaining either

CCAB (preferably CIPFA), CIMA, CFA, or ACT and expected to

qualify within the next 6 months.

Passed finalist required in order to progress to and beyond PO6.

Application /

interview

2 Evidence of continuing professional development Application /

interview

Experience

Essential

criteria

Criteria description Assessed by

3 Experience of providing data for reports in a clear, understandable

and appropriate format for use.

Application /

interview

4 Experience of closing the accounts and the external audit of those

accounts

Application /

interview

5 Experience in persuading stakeholders to work together,

encouraging an organisational focus on the needs of the

community

Application /

interview

6 Experience of working effectively in an area with competing

demands and tight time-scales

Application /

interview

Skills

Essential

criteria

Criteria description Assessed by

7 Able to extract and manipulate complex financial and non-financial

data to demonstrate trends and correlations

Application /

interview

8 Ability to think critically, apply innovative and creative thinking to

address complex service challenges

Application /

interviewEssential

criteria

Criteria description Assessed by

9 Demonstrate a high attention to detail and accuracy, checking

output for accuracy and completeness

Application /

interview

10 Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, with

proven ability to communicate financial and non-financial

information effectively to a wide range of audiences, including

managers, senior officers and external organisations, in both

written and oral form

Application /

interview

11 Knowledge of the major issues facing local government,

understanding of the national policy context, requirements and

future direction for relevant service areas

Application /

interview

12 Well-developed IT skills (MS Office suite, financial systems, data

visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI)

Application /

interview

13 Ability to organise and plan one’s own workload and that of others Application /

interview

14 Ability to work calmly and flexibly under pressure, demonstrating

resilience, not being easily deterred in the face of challenges

Application /

interview

15 Able to inspire and motivate employees and generate a positive

working environment

Application /

interview

16 Ability to work on one’s own or as part of a team, building effective

working relationships within and across departments

Application /

interview

17 Ability to establish, develop and maintain effective relationships

with partner organisations