Chief Accountant

Chief Accountant - Interim

Spencer Clarke Group are working closely with a County Council to appoint an experienced Interim Chief Accountant to lead the Council's corporate and technical accounting function.

This is a senior interim leadership assignment with responsibility for statutory reporting, financial governance and the management of a Chief Accountant's Team of up to 20 staff.

What's on Offer

Rate: £800 - £850 per day LTD
Initial Contract: Until 28 February 2027
Full-time: 37 hours per week
Hybrid: 2 days per week at County Hall in Cichester
Start: 31 August 2026 / subject to notice

The Role

The successful candidate will lead the Chief Accountant's Team, ensuring robust financial governance, accurate statutory reporting and effective technical accounting support across the Council.

Key responsibilities:

1. Leading and managing the Chief Accountant's Team of up to 20 staff.
2. Leading the corporate closedown process and production of the annual Statement of Accounts.
3. Managing the external audit relationship and ensuring reporting deadlines are achieved.
4. Ensuring compliance with the CIPFA Financial Management Code and accounting standards.
5. Overseeing statutory returns, treasury management, VAT, banking and cash management.
6. Supporting the annual revenue budget process and strengthening financial controls.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Recent Chief Accountant experience within a Local Authority - essential.
• Strong knowledge of Local Authority statutory accounts, closedown and external audit.
• Proven experience leading sizeable finance teams and advising senior stakeholders.
• Strong technical accounting, financial governance and treasury management expertise.

How to Apply

If you are interested, please submit your CV along with your availability and required day rate. If successful, a consultant will be in touch to discuss further details.
Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

INDSCGBR

We also offer a market-leading referral scheme of up to £300.
If you know someone suitable, please ask them to email their CV , including your details. T&Cs apply.