Interim Accountant

Job Purpose

Key Responsibilities

• Lead balance sheet control processes, ensuring reconciliations are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
  


• Ensure technical accounting compliance with CIPFA standards, supporting the production of high-quality financial statements.
  


• Manage reserves balances and funding streams, ensuring clear tracking, reporting, and alignment with financial planning.
  


• Oversee organizational cash flow, banking, and investment activities to maintain strong liquidity and treasury compliance.
  


• Prepare clear and insightful treasury reports for senior leadership and governance committees.
  


• Take ownership of VAT returns, government submissions, and regulatory reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  


• Oversee income recognition and grant accounting, maintaining strong financial control and transparency.
  


• Line manage and support an Accounts Assistant, promoting high performance and continuous development.
  


• Administer finance systems (including Xero), strengthen financial processes, and drive continuous improvement across controls and reporting.
  

Skills & Experience

• Strong technical accounting expertise, including financial controls, balance sheet management, and statutory reporting.
  


• Experience delivering financial reporting in line with relevant accounting frameworks and standards.
  


• Proven ability to manage cash flow, treasury functions, and funding streams effectively.
  


• Experience overseeing VAT, grants, and regulatory reporting.
  


• Demonstrated ability to manage and improve financial systems and processes.
  


• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience supporting and developing junior staff.
  


• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
  


• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to senior stakeholders.
  

Qualifications &

• CCAB-qualified accountant, or AAT-qualified accounting technician (or equivalent), with significant post-qualification CPD and proven capability to deliver the responsibilities of this role.
  

• CIPFA qualification.
  


• Previous Local Authority or Combined Authority experience.