Title: Lead Accountant
Rate: £240 per day / Outside IR35
Location: Hybrid, 3 days a week in the officer for the first 3 weeks which will go down to 1-2 days in the office after induction
Type: 6- 12 months
Qualifications: Qualified CCAB/CIMA

Opus People Solutions are working with Walsall Council to recruit for an interim Lead Accountant to be responsible for delivering a first class, value for money financial service that meets the legal, financial and Council aims and objectives to meet our customer requirements in accordance with Finance and Contract Procedure Rules.

Main Responsibilities:

• Independent appraisal of a range of new legislation, issues and guidelines, determining impact and devising action plans for implementation. This includes the production of prompt briefing notes to Deputy Head of Finance, Head of Finance, CFO, ADs, senior management boards and preparation of appropriate management and committee reports, liaison with Government Departments, NHS Walsall, Walsall Together, Walsall CCG and other partner agencies.
• Responsible for identifying risks and working with directorate management to manage financial risks relating to activities within all directorates supported.
• Ensure that finance actively manages and reports upon risk within the finance service and within the service areas and projects supported. Provide robust financial appraisal and cost benefit analysis for proposals to support decision making on a business case.
• Independent appraisal of a range of new legislation, issues and guidelines, determining impact and devising action plans for implementation. This includes the production of prompt briefing notes to Deputy Head of Finance, Head of Finance, CFO, ADs, senior management boards and preparation of appropriate management and committee reports, liaison with Government Departments, NHS Walsall, key suppliers and other partner agencies.
• Advise client services on the development of and compliance with Council Financial and Contract Procedure Rules and proper accounting practice, codes and regulations.
• To lead a team of staff responsible for providing proactive and independent support to directorates, including responsibility for liaison with service accounting / finance managers and planning of resource requirements.
• Deputise for senior finance managers as applicable including working with members, under the direction of senior finance staff.