Principal Accountant (Hybrid)

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Principal Accountant (Hybrid) needed in Haringey, £317.86 per day

PAYE – Reference: OR99609

2 days in the office

Responsibilities

  • To assist the Chief Accountant and Deputy Chief Accountant with the annual production of the Statement of Accounts.
  • To support the Deputy Chief Accountant with day‑to‑day activities within the Chief Accountant’s team, including design and implementation of processes and procedures for other staff to follow.
  • To maintain the integrity of the underpinning chart of accounts, balances and transactions to facilitate all aspects of statutory and management reporting.
  • To provide technical accounting advice to staff to ensure that best practice and relevant accounting standards and guidance is adhered to.
  • To deputise for the Deputy Chief Accountant as may be reasonably required from time to time.
  • To lead on Collection Fund, Revenue Accounting, Chart of Accounts, Balance Sheet Management, VAT and ensure the efficient and timely completion of all related Returns (statutory or otherwise).
  • To ensure robust, accurate and compliant collection fund accounting and record keeping including being responsible for compiling working papers that satisfy audit requirements.
  • To liaise with LG Futures on all collection Fund matters and review information supporting the estimation of the collection fund surplus/deficit during the year.
  • To advise senior management on all collection fund matters and act as the collection fund contact with external bodies such as preceptors, experts, collection fund network.
  • To have an oversight of information provided by the Revenue Service Teams to ensure that all collection fund returns are accurate and completed on a timely basis.
  • To support tasks such as the setting of council tax.
  • To lead on annual closure of all revenue activities including the preparation of reconciling related general ledger accounts including reserves.
  • Maintain oversight of the Balance Sheet to ensure that all balances are understood, can be supported, and represent real assets or liabilities.
  • To complete statutory and non‑government returns such as the NNDR1‑3, CTR1, Revenue Outturn Returns and Whole Government Accounts.
  • Consolidate accounts for group companies and related bodies.
  • Oversight of accounting for schools and related party organisations.
  • An oversight of the accounting processes around Debtors (including capital loans, Bad Debts provision and Creditors).
  • To lead on Grant accounting.
  • To lead on the completion of statutory and non‑government returns e.g. WGA, RO.
  • To lead on strategic VAT issues & ensure that the financial processes are robust in line with changes in VAT legislation.
  • Support wide service initiatives with complex VAT implications through obtaining specialist advice and building a library of advice from tax experts for the purpose providing timely advice.
  • Review monthly VAT Returns & provide VAT advice to senior leadership.
  • Undertake Partial Exemption calculations annually.
  • To ensure that finance colleagues and services are aware of the closure timetable and protocols to follow to ensure that the appropriate year‑end adjustments are actioned.
  • Prepare Collection Fund Statement at year‑end.
  • Prepare some aspects of the Core Financial Statement e.g. Cash Flow Statement and group accounts including notes to the accounts.
  • To satisfactorily respond to complex internal and external audit queries and recommendations in line with the current audit protocol with the aim of continually improving the financial management and reporting.
  • To ensure all work undertaken is compliant with financial regulations, standing orders, policies and practice, statutory requirements and CIPFA guidance.
  • To action all relevant virements on SAP as and when required ensuring appropriate authorisation has been obtained for each item processed.
  • To prepare accounting guidance, briefing papers, electronic templates, audit working papers and committee reports as and when required.
  • Document and review procedures and processes on a regular basis keeping Line Manager informed of the situation.

This is a full time role on a temporary contract basis.

Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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Company: Essential Employment
Apply for the Principal Accountant (Hybrid)
Location: London
Job Description:

Principal Accountant (Hybrid) needed in Haringey, £317.86 per day

PAYE – Reference: OR99609

2 days in the office

Responsibilities

  • To assist the Chief Accountant and Deputy Chief Accountant with the annual production of the Statement of Accounts.
  • To support the Deputy Chief Accountant with day‑to‑day activities within the Chief Accountant’s team, including design and implementation of processes and procedures for other staff to follow.
  • To maintain the integrity of the underpinning chart of accounts, balances and transactions to facilitate all aspects of statutory and management reporting.
  • To provide technical accounting advice to staff to ensure that best practice and relevant accounting standards and guidance is adhered to.
  • To deputise for the Deputy Chief Accountant as may be reasonably required from time to time.
  • To lead on Collection Fund, Revenue Accounting, Chart of Accounts, Balance Sheet Management, VAT and ensure the efficient and timely completion of all related Returns (statutory or otherwise).
  • To ensure robust, accurate and compliant collection fund accounting and record keeping including being responsible for compiling working papers that satisfy audit requirements.
  • To liaise with LG Futures on all collection Fund matters and review information supporting the estimation of the collection fund surplus/deficit during the year.
  • To advise senior management on all collection fund matters and act as the collection fund contact with external bodies such as preceptors, experts, collection fund network.
  • To have an oversight of information provided by the Revenue Service Teams to ensure that all collection fund returns are accurate and completed on a timely basis.
  • To support tasks such as the setting of council tax.
  • To lead on annual closure of all revenue activities including the preparation of reconciling related general ledger accounts including reserves.
  • Maintain oversight of the Balance Sheet to ensure that all balances are understood, can be supported, and represent real assets or liabilities.
  • To complete statutory and non‑government returns such as the NNDR1‑3, CTR1, Revenue Outturn Returns and Whole Government Accounts.
  • Consolidate accounts for group companies and related bodies.
  • Oversight of accounting for schools and related party organisations.
  • An oversight of the accounting processes around Debtors (including capital loans, Bad Debts provision and Creditors).
  • To lead on Grant accounting.
  • To lead on the completion of statutory and non‑government returns e.g. WGA, RO.
  • To lead on strategic VAT issues & ensure that the financial processes are robust in line with changes in VAT legislation.
  • Support wide service initiatives with complex VAT implications through obtaining specialist advice and building a library of advice from tax experts for the purpose providing timely advice.
  • Review monthly VAT Returns & provide VAT advice to senior leadership.
  • Undertake Partial Exemption calculations annually.
  • To ensure that finance colleagues and services are aware of the closure timetable and protocols to follow to ensure that the appropriate year‑end adjustments are actioned.
  • Prepare Collection Fund Statement at year‑end.
  • Prepare some aspects of the Core Financial Statement e.g. Cash Flow Statement and group accounts including notes to the accounts.
  • To satisfactorily respond to complex internal and external audit queries and recommendations in line with the current audit protocol with the aim of continually improving the financial management and reporting.
  • To ensure all work undertaken is compliant with financial regulations, standing orders, policies and practice, statutory requirements and CIPFA guidance.
  • To action all relevant virements on SAP as and when required ensuring appropriate authorisation has been obtained for each item processed.
  • To prepare accounting guidance, briefing papers, electronic templates, audit working papers and committee reports as and when required.
  • Document and review procedures and processes on a regular basis keeping Line Manager informed of the situation.

This is a full time role on a temporary contract basis.

Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

#J-18808-Ljbffr…

Posted: April 20th, 2026