Principal Accountant (Hybrid)

PAYE - Reference: OR99609

2 days in the office

• To assist the Chief Accountant and Deputy Chief Accountant with 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 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 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 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 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 e.g. WGA, RO.
• To lead on strategic VAT issues & ensure that the financial processes are robust in line with changes in VAT legislation.
• Support 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.
• 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 current audit protocol with the aim of continually improving the financial management and reporting.
• To ensure all work undertaken is compliant with 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 the situation.

This is a full time role on a temporary contract basis.

Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.