Principal Accountant

After a 12 year partnership sharing services and a management team with another local council, Havant Borough Council is establishing its own management team and sole finance function. The Council has exciting plans to deliver outcomes for the communityand move forward in their strategic priorities.As a result of the changes, CMA is working exclusively with the Council in the recruitment for a Principal Technical Accountant to undertake an essential role in ensuring highly effective financial controlsare in place to enable the Council to operate within a balanced budget each financial year.

**What will the role involve?**

Reporting to the Head of Corporate Finance, the key responsibilities of the position will include:

- Delivering an effective year-end, annual accounts for audit and corporate financial reporting;
- Support the preparation of the annual budget and ensure control accounts are maintained and up to date;
- Effectively lead a team of Assistant Accountants with responsibility for all transactional finance duties including management of the reconciliation of all Balance Sheet accounts;
- Completion of all statutory returns and statistical returns and questionnaires including Whole of Government Accounts, Revenue Estimate forms and Capital Payments Returns;
- Continuously review, develop and improve all existing practices and procedures in relation to the Transactional finance team;
- Leading and overseeing the financial aspects of complex commissioning and procurement for a portfolio of services, playing a pro-active role in all key business decisions.
- Applicants for the position will hold a full accountancy qualification with previous experience of working within a Local Authority;
- Demonstrable communication, presentation and team leadership skills will be essential to undertake the role effectively as will the ability to pro-actively implement positive and effective change;
- Proven ability of working collaboratively with key stakeholders across all departments within an organisation to support their understanding of key financial information.

**Additional Information**:

- On offer is a competitive package including an excellent pension and the genuine opportunity to play an integral role in the development of the Council, ultimately improving the services provided to the local community;
- The role will be offered on a hybrid basis with the successful applicant expected to attend the Havant offices ideally one to two days a week.

For additional information or to receive a copy of the full job description, please contact Becky Wallington on or