Senior Accountant

NEW Vacancy Alert!! 

Department: Finance
Reports to: Finance Manager
Rate: £350 per day Umbrella PAYE
Full Time hours
Duration: 2 Months intially 
Location: Remote - with Occasional visit to offices when needed

We are excited to announce a full-time opportunity for a Senior Accountant within the Children’s Services (CHS) and Education Finance Team. This role, available through our partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, offers the chance to play a key part in supporting vital services within Children and Young People’s Team (CYPS) and the Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) teams.

Role Overview

As Senior Accountant, you will be responsible for providing high-quality financial support and advice to senior management across the council, ensuring compliance with CIPFA guidelines and council financial regulations. This role focuses on managing the accounts, budgets, and financial processes within key service areas, contributing to the council's strategic planning and delivering a comprehensive finance service.

Key Responsibilities

CYPS Team: Support a range of budget holders, including the Fostering and Adoption service, ensuring accurate quarterly financial forecasts and managing recharges for shared services with Bi-Borough partners.
Education and SEND Team: Assist with the Schools Capital Programme, working closely with service and corporate stakeholders to ensure effective capital monitoring and financial reporting.
Provide professional financial advice on statutory duties, grant conditions, and reporting requirements, with support for acquiring specialized knowledge in these areas.
Lead financial business partnering efforts to support the Finance Manager, Principal Accountants, and service leaders in identifying and delivering challenging Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) savings.
Manage day-to-day financial operations, ensuring compliance with the Council’s financial policies, overseeing budget setting, monitoring, and accounts closure.
Prepare financial data analysis to support senior management’s decision-making processes and strategic plans.

Hiring Manager’s notes for the role:

The Children’s Services and Education Finance Team is undergoing business process improvements to enhance the quality of financial data. The Senior Accountant will play a crucial role in driving these changes, working with senior stakeholders to implement efficient processes. The successful candidate will be supported in gaining the knowledge required to interpret complex statutory guidance and provide high-level financial advice.
This role requires strong communication skills, the ability to deliver results under pressure, and a commitment to meeting deadlines. The postholder will collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, from service leaders to finance managers, to ensure robust financial oversight.

About You

Qualifications: Qualified Accounting Technician or equivalent experience.
Skills and Experience:
Experience in local government finance or a similar complex environment, with a strong understanding of financial processes and regulations.
Proven ability to manage key financial processes such as budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring.
Analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Power BI, capable of manipulating large datasets and presenting them effectively.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey financial information to non-financial audiences.
Demonstrable leadership and management capabilities, with the ability to mentor and guide junior staff members.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a flexible, dynamic team that values diversity and innovation. Through our partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, we are committed to supporting your professional growth and success in this role. You will work in an environment that fosters collaboration and rewards proactive problem-solving.

Hammersmith and Fulham is an inclusive employer committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteeing interviews for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for this role.

Apply today and take the next step in your career as part of a forward-thinking finance team!