Principal Accountant (Maternity Cover) FTC/ Secondment for up to 1 year Warwick District Council is looking for outstanding individual to join our Finance Department on a one-year fixed term (Maternity Cover) contract to support the Housing and Assets Finance Functions of the Authority. With a strong commitment to making improvements and efficiencies without making cuts to services, our forward looking and ambitious Council is recruiting a Principal Accountant, who can embrace the use of new financial systems and digital technology to ensure the demands of our customers are met both now and in the future. The position offers you a great opportunity to work within Housing Finances (HRA) in a Local authority. This unique area supporting the day-to-day finances with the Housing Services and the Capital expansion of our housing stock, and improvements programme. This will include: Quarterly Monitoring of both Revenue and Capital budget. Closure of Accounts for General Fund Housing, HRA and Capital. Setting a balanced budget for Revenue HRA budgets and General Fund Accounts within tight financial constraints. Supporting the production of the HRA Business Plan for current and future years. Working closely with Service Managers and Senior Management in support of day-to-day finances and new and ongoing projects within the Service. Lead the closure of accounts, including liaising with external auditors for the HRA. Completing and approving statutory financial returns to government throughout the year. Manage a small team of Assistant Accountants supporting the Service. You would need to be able to demonstrate an ability to manage staff within your team, work accurately to deadlines, interpret legislation, and have strong ICT and report writing skills. Experience of working with Housing Services at a Local Government and understanding of HRA requirements. The position would suit either a CCAB qualified/part qualified Accountant or a Senior AAT Accountant with experience of working in Capital Finances within the Public Sector Finance. Here at Warwick District Council, we pride ourselves on the fact that we offer you a great place to work. We achieve our goals by recruiting and retaining motivated, empowered and flexible staff. We are committed to training and development, and we encourage a healthy work-life balance. We offer the rewards and benefits that make it a great place to work. People like you We offer a wide range of career opportunities at every level of the organisation. From apprenticeships to senior management, permanent to fixed term contracts or part-time working, we have something for everyone. The intention is for the postholder to work predominately from home however, it is a requirement to attend our offices or sites within Warwick District as required. Any costs for travel from home to the office will be met by the successful candidate. However, office and hybrid working are also available. If you have any questions or wish to have an informal discussion, please contact Steven Leathley by email steven,leathleywarwickdc.gov.uk or telephone on (01926) 456843 Closing date external: 23 April 2025 Interview date/s: 28 April 2025 To apply for this vacancy please click on the ' Apply ' button. It is important that you fully complete all sections of this application. Only information contained in the application will be used for shortlisting. Please do not attach CVs as these will not be considered Council Employee Benefits Guidance notes for job applications Recruitment guidance for disabled applicants Recruitment guidance for ex-offenders Equality - what we aim to do Internal applicants only: please note if you are applying for a secondment position, you must seek approval from your current line manager before applying. If you are unable to apply using the 'Apply' button, please contact HR Support on vacancieswarwickdc.gov.uk including your contact details and any relevant screenshots. You will be notified of our shortlisting decision via email, so please check your email on a regular basis after submitting your application. As part of being a Disability Confident employer we guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the post. By ‘essential criteria’ we mean that you must provide us with evidence in your application form which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required for each competence, as well as meeting any of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential in the person specification. To be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS), applicants must disclose that they have a disability and would like to be considered for the scheme. Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application or recruitment process or upon appointment, please contact vacancieswarwickdc.gov.uk and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements.