Principal Accountant

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £26.91 - £30.30

Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Starting and finishing times are flexible, and flexi time is applicable.
To start asap.

We are seeking a qualified accountant to manage the payment functions within the Corporate Accounting team. The successful candidate will manage a team to ensure that appropriate procedures and controls are in place and will play an important part in ensuring that the Council is managing resources efficiently and effectively.

The job holder will support Service Managers on all aspects of financial accounting, including supporting the production of year end accounts and audit process, working across all council departments to provide support and advice and ensuring that financial governance procedures for purchasing are being adhered to. Other responsibilities include budget monitoring, and elements of project accounting. The Council has embarked on a project to replace its ledger system and the post holder will play a critical role in supporting this project.

The successful candidate will be a key member of the Corporate Accounting management team. We are looking for an ambitious candidate who passionate about continuous improvement and able to contribute professional expertise to develop the service and support key projects. You will work collaboratively with other members of the Finance Team and the wider organisation to deliver agreed outcomes, ensuring a high standard of customer satisfaction embedding financial governance and professional practice.

Home Working Consideration
Applications for homeworking or hybrid working will be considered for this post, subject to a trial period and in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. All applicants must live in the UK and will be expected to attend Council offices from time to time as required.

Job Details

As a senior member of the wider Finance Team, the Principal Accountant will be expected to:

- In collaboration with the Service Manager operationally manage the provision of professional technical financial advice across the Council identifying and delivering the strategic objectives for the Finance team and wider Finance service.

- Oversee the development and training of the Finance Team, ensuring the service has the appropriate skills, demonstrating continuous improvement, and is resourced to support the Council’s wider transformational change agenda.

- Play a key role in ensuring Council services are managing their resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
Qualified accountant with membership of a CCAB (CIPFA/ACCA/CIMA/ICAS) professional accounting body, combined with substantial experience in a financial management role.

Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Disclosure
The preferred candidate for this position may be subject to a Standard Disclosure provided by Disclosure Scotland prior to a formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note:
If a Disclosure check is required and you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link:
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.