Job type
TemporaryLocation
GloucestershireWorking Pattern
Full-timeSpecialism
Senior Finance QualifiedIndustry
Government & Public ServicesPay
DOEClosing date
28 Oct 2025
Principal Accountant
Key Responsibilities
- Take the lead role in providing, developing, and maintaining financial management and accounting services across the organisation.
- Analyse, interpret, and communicate financial and operational information to support effective business decision-making.
- Conduct regular budget monitoring and report variances to senior management and relevant forums.
- Lead the preparation of the annual budget and medium-term financial planning, including presenting financial plans to senior stakeholders.
- Prepare and maintain long-term financial models and business plans, offering strategic advice on treasury matters and investment opportunities.
- Provide analysis and recommendations on pricing strategies, including the financial impact of proposed changes on long-term plans.
- Support the preparation of statutory financial statements and working papers for external audit, and present findings to governance bodies as required.
- Ensure timely and accurate completion of all statutory and regulatory financial returns in collaboration with relevant team members.
- Advise senior leadership on legislative changes and their financial implications.
- Attend and contribute to senior management and governance meetings as required.
- Ensure the finance team is adequately trained and equipped to meet service and organisational needs.
- Work to tight deadlines in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
- Act as deputy to the Finance Manager when required.
- Promote and uphold the organisation’s values and behaviours.
- Carry out any other duties reasonably within the scope of the role.
Person Specification
- Holds a recognised CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies) accountancy qualification.
- Strong knowledge of accounting standards and codes of practice.
- Proven experience in producing annual financial statements for a key service area or complex organisation.
- Demonstrated ability at preparing budgets, financial forecasts, and management accounts.
- Experience of advising senior leaders, stakeholders, and budget holders on financial matters.
- Proven people management skills, including the ability to lead, motivate, and develop team members.
- Understanding of administrative systems and processes required to meet regulatory or legal obligations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage complex workloads, both individually and across teams.
- Confident in presenting financial information to a wide range of stakeholders, including those without a financial background.
- Comfortable working in environments that require sensitivity to organisational or political dynamics.
- Capable of handling complex tasks requiring advanced knowledge and expertise in a specialist financial discipline.
