Divisional Accountant – Public Health – AR

Overview

In this role you will provide financial support to Southwark Council’s Public Health division, driving accurate forecasting, budget monitoring and management reporting. You’ll partner with budget holders and senior managers to enable informed financial decisions and support year-end closure and governance. You’ll also contribute to process improvement and financial systems, including reporting for key grants. This is a chance to impact public health services through strong financial management and advisory support.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with budget holders to understand financial developments in Public Health services
• Produce accurate monthly financial forecasts and monitor expenditure for variances
• Deliver high-quality monthly management accounts and financial reports for managers and senior stakeholders
• Provide budgetary advice and support planning and decision-making
• Support year-end closure of accounts and liaise with external auditors
• Lead on financial aspects of key statistical and grant returns and ensure accuracy
• Advise on financial aspects of key projects across the division
• Maintain financial governance and compliance with local authority accounting procedures
• Contribute to financial process and reporting system improvements
• Supervise staff where required and support performance development

Key requirements

• CCAB-qualified or part-qualified accountant with CPD
• Experience in accounting/finance roles
• Knowledge of local government finance and local authority accounting
• Experience in financial governance, planning, budget monitoring, forecasting and reporting
• Strong analytical skills and variance analysis
• Strong Excel skills and experience with computerised financial systems; SAP desirable
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to explain financial information to non-finance professionals
• Ability to build relationships with budget holders and stakeholders
• Ability to improve processes and automate financial activities

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Relationship building
• Excel
• SAP (desirable)
• financial management systems

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