Principle Accountant

  • Deekay Technical Recruitment
  • Apr 15, 2026
Contractor Accounting

Job Description

Job description
  • To assist the Chief Accountant and Deputy Chief Accountant with on the annual production of the Statement of Accounts.
  • To support the Deputy Chief Accountant with day-to-day activities within the Chief Accountant s team, including design and implementation of processes and procedures for other staff to follow.
  • To maintain the integrity of the underpinning chart of accounts, balances and transactions to facilitate all aspects of statutory and management reporting.
  • To provide technical accounting advice to Council staff to ensure that best practice and relevant accounting standards and guidance is adhered to.
  • To deputise for the Deputy Chief Accountant as may be reasonably required from time to time.
  • To lead on Collection Fund, Revenue Accounting, Chart of Accounts, Balance Sheet Management, VAT and ensure the efficient and timely completion of all completion of related Returns (statutory or otherwise).
  • To ensure robust, accurate and compliant collection fund accounting and record keeping including being responsible for compiling working papers that satisfy audit requirements.
  • To liaise with LG Futures on all collection Fund matters and review information supporting the estimation of the collection fund surplus/deficit during the year.
  • To advise senior management on all collection fund matters and act as the collection fund contact with external bodies such as preceptors, experts, collection fund network.
  • To have an oversight of information provided by the Revenue Service Teams to ensure that all collection fund returns are accurate and completed on a timely basis.
  • To support on tasks such as the setting of council tax.
  • To lead on annual closure of all revenue activities including the preparation of reconciling related general ledger accounts including reserves.
  • Maintain oversight of the Council s Balance Sheet to ensure that all balances are understood, can be supported, and represent real assets or liabilities.
  • To complete statutory and non-government returns such as the NNDR1-3, CTR1, Revenue Outturn Returns and Whole Government Accounts
  • Consolidate accounts for group companies and related bodies.
  • Oversight of accounting for schools and related party organisations
  • An oversight of the accounting processes around Debtors (including capital loans Bad Debts provision and Creditors.
  • To lead on Grant accounting
  • To lead on the completion of statutory and non-government returns eg. WGA, RO,
  • To lead on strategic VAT issues & ensure that the council's financial processes are robust in line with changes in VAT legislation.
  • Support council-wide service initiatives with complex VAT implications through obtaining specialist advice and building a library of advice from tax experts for the purpose providing timely advice across the council.
  • Review monthly VAT Returns & provide VAT advice to senior leadership.
  • Undertake Partial Exemption calculations annually.
  • To ensure that finance colleagues and services are aware of the closure timetable and protocols to follow to ensure that the appropriate year-end adjustments are actioned.
  • Prepare Collection Fund Statement at year-end.
  • Prepare some aspects of the Core Financial Statement e.g. Cash Flow Statement and group accounts including notes to the accounts.
  • To satisfactorily respond to complex internal and external audit queries and recommendations in line with the Council s current audit protocol with the aim of continually improving the Council s financial management and reporting.
  • To ensure all work undertaken is compliant with Council financial regulations, standing orders, policies and practice, statutory requirements and CIPFA guidance.
  • To action all relevant virements on SAP as and when required ensuring appropriate authorisation has been obtained for each item processed.
  • To prepare accounting guidance, briefing papers, electronic templates, audit working papers and committee reports as and when required.
  • Document and review procedures and processes on a regular basis keeping Line Manager informed of situation.