Principal Accountant - Development Projects

London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Principal Accountant – Development & Projects

Grade: PO5 – PO7
Salary range: £54,000 - £63,000
Department: Finance and Corporate Services
Reports to: Finance Manager (Strategic Capital and Investment)
Location: London
Working Pattern: Agile / Flexible working

About the role:

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Accountant (Development / Projects) to play a pivotal role in supporting the Council’s ambitious capital, regeneration and affordable housing programmes. You will provide high-quality, solution-focused financial advice across complex development, regeneration and mixed-use investment schemes – from early appraisal and business case development through to delivery, monitoring and closure.

Working closely with senior leaders, Members and key stakeholders, you will help ensure strong financial performance, value for money and effective risk management. This is a highly influential role, offering the opportunity to shape strategic capital investment decisions that directly support the borough’s communities and long-term priorities,
including our response to the climate and ecological emergency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial management of significant regeneration, affordable housing and mixed-use capital schemes.
• Prepare and evaluate robust business cases supported by detailed financial modelling, appraisal, sensitivity and commercial analysis.
• Provide clear, professional financial advice and challenge to senior officers, Members and decision-makers.
• Support strategic reviews, procurements and investment decisions, identifying financial implications and risks.
• Contribute to the Council’s Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial Strategy through high-quality financial analysis and modelling.
• Lead on complex statutory and financial returns, grants and audit requirements.
• Ensure strong budgetary control, in-year monitoring, forecasting and closing of accounts for allocated areas.
• Build effective relationships with internal teams and external partners to optimise outcomes and resources.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation and best practice in financial management.

About You

• You will be a CCAB-qualified accountant (or part-qualified with relevant experience, or an Accounting Technician with significant experience) with a strong background in capital and development finance.
• Experience in local government, housing association finance, or a similarly complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of housing development finance, appraisal methodologies, funding and risk management.
• A sound understanding of local authority accounting, financial legislation and professional codes of practice.
• Proven experience of financial modelling, business case development and strategic financial analysis.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial issues clearly to non-specialists.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced Excel and financial reporting tools.
• The confidence and credibility to influence senior stakeholders and represent the Council externally.