Job Description

We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in West Sussex to assist with the appointment of a Principal Finance Officer, on a 3-month contract, highly likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.
Rate of Pay: 32.00 - 32.00 per hour
Summary:
The Principal Finance Officer is a senior-level financial specialist responsible for leading the councils fixed asset management, SAP control environment, external audit support, and compliance with IFRS and Whole of Government Accounts (WGA). The role has a high level of accountability, overseeing multi-million-pound budgets and influencing strategic financial decisions across service areas. It requires expert knowledge of financial legislation, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead teams and projects.
Responsibilities:

• Lead the Councils Fixed Asset Register and Asset Revaluation Programme for financial reporting.
• Take ownership of the IFRS 16 lease accounting implementation in the financial statements.
• Manage the SAP financial control environment, including the General Ledger structure and processes.
• Act as lead liaison and coordinator for External Audit, ensuring timely and accurate information delivery.
• Oversee the production and submission of the Whole of Government Accounts (WGA).

Qualifications:

• Full membership of a chartered accountancy body (e.g., CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) or equivalent demonstrable experience.

Experience:

• Substantial experience in a senior finance or accountancy role within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience advising on complex financial matters, especially those affecting service strategy.
• Demonstrable success in budget planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Direct experience with:

• Managing fixed assets and revaluation programmes.
• Implementing and reporting under IFRS 16.

• Leading on SAP systems and financial control environments.
• Coordinating external audits and responding to audit queries.
• Compiling and submitting Whole of Government Accounts.

Please note:

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K

Disclaimer: Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.
Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. Incase the role requires an enhanced DBS, your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.
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