Chief Accountant

Over the last 10 years, Southwark Council’s vision to create a fairer future for all has delivered on a number of commitments to residents; helping make Southwark clean, green and safe, building more affordable homes, creating jobs and opportunities for residents and giving young people in our borough the best start in life. But there is still more to do in all these areas and COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge.

To ensure Southwark can continue to deliver on all these ambitions they need a finance team which can support innovation and creativity, helping the Council provide support for the community and ensuring value for money. To help achieve this Southwark are currently recruiting for a Chief Accountant.

The Chief Accountant is a key appointment for Southwark Council. The role will be focused on developing and leading a high performing best in class team responsible for the production of the Statement of Accounts, Capital Accounting, Collection Fund accounting, provision of tax advice and completion of statutory returns. The post-holder will also play a key part in the development of longer term financial planning processes, including the MTFP.

  Key responsibilities will include;

• Planning and delivering the change programme to streamline the accounts closing process with a focus on automation, systems optimisation and process redesign
• Being a member of the Finance Management Team, contributing to the development and maintenance of Corporate Financial policies, strategies, systems and practices
• Managing the development and continuous improvement of the Finance Team to incorporate best practice
• Acting as the lead officer providing advice and support to all relevant internal committees

To be suitable for the role you need to be a fully qualified accountant with experience of leading the close down process, ideally in a local government setting. Proven experience of developing teams and driving through change is essential.

We are an organisation that is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at the senior management level in the council.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to willryan@allenlane.co.uk by Monday 20th September. The covering letter should be no more than 2 pages and should include why you are interested in the position and specific examples of how you meet the key criteria.

In addition to a competitive salary, this role attracts a JNC benefit package of £2,724 PA / Pro rata dependent on start date.