Head Accountant

Contract : 3 Months +
Day Rate : £500-£600

This key role provides strategic financial services and leadership across a diverse range of local authority services, supporting the Deputy Director of Finance – Accounting Services. Facing significant financial pressures and a need for efficiency, you will drive organisational change within the Finance service and support wider service transformation. The main purpose is to develop robust financial planning and strategies to balance service delivery, local taxation, and reserves. This involves managing the full annual budget cycle, providing expert advice, analysing complex financial data, and ensuring solid financial processes, particularly for commissioning and partnership arrangements. You will exert considerable influence on budgetary allocation and must effectively communicate complex financial issues to senior non-financial managers and elected Members.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Advice: Deliver professional financial advice to Chief Officers, Members, and partners, ensuring compliance and best practice.

Budget Management: Lead the preparation, monitoring, and year-end closing of the annual budget (for a service area up to approximately £750m).

Change & Efficiency: Drive change initiatives within the Finance service and support the wider council in optimising resources and delivering efficiencies.

Financial Strategy: Develop and implement financial strategies, including savings programmes, to achieve required budgetary balance.