A major UK council has an urgent requirement for an Interim Financial Accountant.

This is a 3-month hybrid role offering up to £600 p/d inside IR35 some travel to Bristol required.

The post holder will take a proactive approach in managing and delivering timely financial accounting services; including budgeting, medium and long term financial planning, project support, forecasting, financial reporting and control.

Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders across the council and provide directors, heads of service, senior managers and partner organisations with financial information and advice, including identifying opportunities for business improvements and efficiencies.

Review and introduce financial control procedures which aid the identification of risks and in providing financial information, advice and guidance, improve financial management for the council. Demonstrate your commitment to corporate working by participating in corporate or crosscutting improvement projects and provide financial information, advice and guidance to develop plans that enhance the skills and capabilities of staff, improve individual, team and service performance, identifying and addressing shortfalls quickly.

Key Accountabilities:

1.Build excellent professional relationships with key senior stakeholders across the council, external partners and government departments as appropriate. Representing the council at external forum and maintaining those relationships to ensure that required initiatives are financially viable & delivered as effectively as possible.

2. Interpretation of financial performance for council wide services or activities and provide options to managers to assist them achieve required efficiencies and spend to budget position on an on-going basis.
3. Providing independent analysis and interpretation of complex and technical financial data, to facilitate support and challenge to both internal and external stakeholders and allow decisions to be made following consideration of financial resource and risks implications. Key job outcomes/accountabilities
4. Maintaining the accuracy of forecasts and, using a good understanding of the business model and financial drivers, to challenge and influence the key stakeholders.
5. Ensuring compliance with finance and other regulations including CIPFAs code of practice any operational guidance and grant conditions.
6. Writing and presenting reports on the analysis and interpretation of financial performance and actual or implied changes to legislation for budget holders and senior officers and the public in relation to financial issues and collaborate with external partners and agencies as required.
7. On an ad-hoc basis to be a member on tender evaluation and grant panels. To identify which bid offers the most economically advantageous proposal based on the criteria specified in the relevant documentation and ensure the financial implications (capital and revenue) are fully understood at the outset.
8. To undertake appropriate development work as required in response to changing financial regimes, new government legislation and initiatives.
9. To manage and motivate staff assigned to the post, ensuring supervisory practices are undertaken, learning and development is proactively supported and provide coaching and mentoring as appropriate.
10. The preparation of final accounts and the annual statutory accounts in accordance with relevant accounting and statutory requirements and liaising with the councils external auditors