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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