Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant

Location: Berkshire

Contract: Temporary (6 months)

Salary: £409.09 per day umbrella / £356.07 PAYE Inclusive / £317.72 PAYE Exclusive

Start Date: ASAP

Service Care Solutions are recruiting on behalf of a local authority in Berkshire for a Financial Accountant to join the team on a temporary basis. The postholder will support the Property Services function during a period of change, with a focus on re-aligning revenue and capital budgets, forecasting MTFS, and challenging spend.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, monitoring and review of revenue and capital budgets, challenging assumptions and expenditure to ensure effective financial control.
• Develop accurate monthly, quarterly and medium-term financial forecasts, taking account of property disposals, changes in income, capital investment and emerging financial pressures.
• Provide insightful financial analysis and management information to senior managers, directors and elected members, highlighting risks, variances, savings opportunities and areas requiring action.
• Act as the lead finance business partner for Property Services, supporting budget holders and stakeholders while ensuring compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards and organisational policies.

Candidate Criteria

• Qualified accountant with substantial experience of financial management, budgeting and forecasting.
• Proven experience within local government, public sector finance or property-related financial management, with an understanding of revenue and capital expenditure.
• Strong financial analysis, business partnering and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge expenditure and provide constructive financial advice to senior stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and translate it into clear, commercially focused recommendations.