Principal Accountant – Financial Resilience & Strategy

Principal Accountant – Financial Resilience & Strategy

Lancashire County Council is the fourth largest local authority in England and covers a huge geographic area and a wide range of communities both urban and rural. The Council's remit is substantial, varied and complex, delivering a wide range of services to the 1.2 million people who live here.

Working for us means joining a family-friendly team that not only recognises our achievements, but also works together to face whatever challenges come along.

Join our team and we'll offer you excellent opportunities to progress and do new things, a commitment to support you, and opportunities to influence and improve the way we work. In return for your passion and expertise we offer all our staff a remuneration and benefits package that comprises competitive salary, generous pension, up to 32 days annual leave, flexible working, health and wellbeing benefits, and ongoing investment in your training and development.

This post offers a real opportunity to make a difference to the delivery of public services across Lancashire.

The Role:

Reporting to the Head of Financial Management you’ll be a key member of the Financial Management (Operational) Management Team and will work with colleagues, key customers, partners and stakeholders to manage resources, develop our services, and ensure our ongoing resilience.  

You will be tasked with:

• Developing a thorough understanding of the funding model both across local government and more specifically in a two-tier arrangement such as that in Lancashire. 

• Developing excellent working relationships with District Councils and "nearest neighbour" authorities to allow us to understand the financial position they are in and forecasting and also understand the assumptions they are making.

• Lead on coordinating activity relating to the development of the 2025/26 budget, including savings proposals as required.

• Representing the council (and deputising for the Head of Financial Management  as required) with key groups such as the Society of County Treasurers, CIPFA et cetera.

Candidates:

This role calls for a qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent), or someone with substantial experience in a senior finance role.

The ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships will be required for success.

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and sectors including those 

looking to take a step-up into their first Principal Accountant role, as well as those who may be more experienced and interested in stepping-across to focus specifically on financial resilience and strategy. 

What is most important is that you share our passion and commitment for continuing to be an excellent authority committed to delivering improved outcomes for residents and outstanding customer service.

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact our recruitment partner at Penna, Andreas Efthymiou on 07546 415 794, or via email at Andreas.Efthymiou@penna.com

Closing date: Sunday 5th May 2024 

Interviews to be held: 14th & 15th May 2024