Principal Accountant Public Sector

Cedar Recruitment are delighted to be working with a Public Sector Client in the North East in the recruitment of a Principal Accountant to work on an interim basis.

The role will require you to go into the office in the Leeds area 3 days per week.

Purpose of the role:

The successful candidate will work in line with the Finance Business Partner to provide a comprehensive finance service to directors and senior leadership. You will delivering accurate, timely, and strategic financial advice and contribute to business planning, performance improvement, and decision-making by aligning financial data with service outcomes.

You will be required to manage, lead and motivate staff who provide professional, high level financial advice to senior management.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Produce and consolidate financial reports for senior leadership and the Board, ensuring they are accurate, timely, and aligned with organisational goals.
• Deliver financial insights that support strategic planning, performance improvement, and risk management.
• Champion continuous improvement in financial processes and promote value for money across services.
• Act as deputy to the Finance Business Partner when required and support team leadership.
• Lead, develop, and support a team of finance professionals, ensuring high standards of service and continuous professional development.

• Provide guidance and training to both finance and non-finance staff to build financial capability across the organisation.
• Promote a culture of fairness, inclusion, professionalism, and accountability.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Trade Unions, external auditors, and regulatory bodies.

• Represent the Trust on financial matters in regional and national forums.

• Support long-term financial planning, advising senior leaders on policy, investment, and resource allocation.
• Drive integration between financial performance, risk, and service delivery.
• Lead or contribute to key working groups and transformation projects across the organisation
• Ensure adherence to financial regulations, procedures, and best practices.

• Safeguard sensitive financial data and manage the use of finance-related systems and assets responsibly.

• Support the Finance Partnering Team in delivering effective budget planning, forecasting, and analysis.
• Deliver high-quality, proactive finance services that adapt to changing organisational needs.
• Encourage innovation and challenge poor performance to drive ongoing improvement.

To be considered you will need to be CCAB qualified OR Part Qualified and have at least 3 years experience in financial services along with leadership experience.

Should this sound of interest, then please apply below and one of the team will be in touch to discuss with you further.