Senior Accountant in The Borough

Cedar are recruiting an experienced Interim Senior Accountant to join a local authority based in the North West on a contract basis. As the Senior Accountant, you will be responsible for supporting non-finance teams in monitoring and maintaining budgets and contributing to the development of the financial strategy, ensuring alignment with capital expenditure plans.Rate: £300 - £400 per day (Inside IR35)The post holder will be required to travel across the borough and work from various locations on a hybrid basis, with a flexible working approach to accommodate service needs. This opportunity is offering a salary range of £43 - £54 per hour dependant on experience. Responsibilities: Support the effective use of resources and provide advice to budget holders and senior management.Support the management, development and updating of the medium-term financial strategy and annual budget to ensure that it supports the strategic aims of the council.Prepare and present capital budget reports to senior management, providing analysis and advice to ensure effective financial management of projects.Provide financial advice and guidance to budget holders on capital projects, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and policies.Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of capital assets, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and local authority policies.Provide accurate statutory reporting, financial management information, monitoring of key financial assets and statutory returns.Ensure accurate and timely reporting of information, data interpretation and analytical review to finance and non-finance Officers and Members. Liaise with external auditors to support the annual audit process for capital expenditure.Provide training and support to staff across the Council on capital accounting processes and policies and ensure compliance. Ensure accurate and timely management of the Council's assets to provide good financial resilience of the balance sheet, including identifying actions, monitoring of control accounts, ensuring timely completion of reconciliations.Support the Technical Accountant Manager in ensuring long-term financial sustainability of the Council's assets through technical advice and analytical data. Qualifications:A recognised professional/technical accountancy qualification/part qualification (e.g. CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent. Essential experience:Knowledge of financial regulations and accounting standards relevant to local government. Significant experience of working in a financial monitoring role, with a focus on capital accounting. Knowledge of local government finance and political matters is essential. Significant experience of budget setting and budget monitoring activity.Experience of supporting and challenging budget holders responsible for financial management.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide financial advice and guidance to both finance and non-finance colleagues.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders across the organisation.Experience of in-depth support on financial year-end/close down processes.Experience of producing statutory financial returns in line with deadlines