Principal Accountant

Job Description

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