Financial Accounting Manager
Local Authority, Cambridgeshire
Hybrid/Flexible Working
Salary to £68,000 (inlcluding Market Supplement), LGPS and great benefits

Macildowie are working with a local authority in Cambridgeshire to recruit a Financial Accounting Manager to lead its Statement of Accounts, statutory returns and external audit process.

Reporting to the Head of Corporate Finance, you will lead a small team of three and be the technical lead for financial accounting across the authority. You will also give clear, practical accounting advice to senior officers, service areas and elected Members.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the co-ordination and timely delivery of the final accounts, in line with statutory deadlines, the CIPFA Code and supporting working papers
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations, collection fund accounting and statutory returns
• Manage relationships with external auditors and advisers, making sure audit evidence is accurate and delivered on time
• Maintain robust financial controls and assurance processes
• Interpret changes in legislation and accounting standards, and implement what they require
• Support corporate reporting to Cabinet and Council
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems and digital tools
• Lead, manage and develop the Financial Accounting team

About you

• Fully qualified CCAB accountant with a record of CPD
• Experience of preparing, reviewing and delivering a Statement of Accounts, including working papers, notes to the accounts and audit evidence
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and the CIPFA Code, and experience of financial controls in a large, complex organisation
• Highly developed Excel skills, with evidence of improving systems and processes
• Experience of leading or supervising finance staff
• Confident communicator at senior level, comfortable presenting to Members (occasional evening meetings)
• Local government experience is desirable but not essential, and we will consider strong candidates from other complex public sector or commercial environments
• Desirable: experience of Agresso or a similar finance system, and of contributing to change or transformation in a finance function

Working pattern: The client would ideally like 1–2 days a week in the office, but will consider less for the right person as it is about getting the best person for the job and organisation. Please share your updated details and we will respond accordingly.