Senior Accountant – AR

Department: Finance
Reporting to: Finance Manager
Grade: PO1–PO4
Location: Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Working: Agile working

About the Role

Hammersmith & Fulham Council is seeking an experienced Accountant / Senior Accountant to join its Finance team. The successful candidate will provide professional financial support and accountancy advice to senior managers across a range of Council services.

You will be responsible for managing the finances of allocated service areas, supporting budget setting and monitoring, analysing financial information and ensuring compliance with Council financial regulations and CIPFA guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor budgets for allocated Council service areas, identifying variances, risks and areas requiring corrective action.
• Provide financial advice and analysis to service managers and senior management to support informed decision-making.
• Support budget setting, in-year monitoring and year-end closure of accounts.
• Prepare financial reports, forecasts, grant claims and statutory/statistical returns.
• Ensure financial processes, controls and systems comply with Council regulations and accounting best practice.
• Analyse financial data using Excel, Power BI and relevant financial systems, producing clear information for managers.
• Support debt recovery and ensure income is correctly received and allocated.
• Contribute to the Council’s strategic financial planning and Medium Term Financial Strategy.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and implement practical solutions.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders, including senior managers and partner organisations.

Additional Senior Accountant Responsibilities

At PO3–PO4 level, you will also:

• Provide professional financial advice on complex decisions and statutory requirements.
• Prepare finance comments for reports, restructures, briefing notes and decision papers.
• Challenge financial assumptions and recommend improvements.
• Communicate complex financial information clearly through reports, presentations and briefings.
• Manage, supervise and develop allocated finance staff.
• Lead financial projects and support service improvements.

About You

You will have:

• Experience working in local government finance or a similarly complex public/private sector organisation.
• Strong knowledge of management accounting, financial accounting, budgeting and financial controls.
• Experience of budget setting, monitoring, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of financial regulations, governance and relevant accounting principles.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with advanced Excel and ideally Power BI experience.
• Experience providing financial advice and communicating complex information to a range of audiences.
• The ability to identify financial risks, challenge assumptions and develop practical solutions.
• A qualified Accounting Technician qualification or relevant equivalent experience.
• For Senior Accountant level, experience of staff management, supervision and leading financial improvements would be expected.