Chief Accountant

Lead the integrity of financial reporting. Shape the future of public finance.

Reports to: Director of Finance Operations

A leadership opportunity at the heart of one of the country's most ambitious finance improvements.

Nottingham City Council has travelled one of the most remarkable journeys in local government. From scrutiny and challenge to becoming one of the most financially stable authorities in the country, we've proven that fundamental change is possible. We cleared the backlog, strengthened our controls, built substantial reserves, and restored public accountability.

But stability was never the finish line - it was the starting point. Now, we're building something new. Something ambitious. And we need exceptional leaders to help us do it.

This is your chance to lead at scale, shape strategic direction, and leave a lasting legacy in a finance function that's reshaping local government finance from the ground up.

At Nottingham City Council, finance isn't just about numbers - it's about making decisions that shape services, support communities, and deliver real change for 331,077 residents. As our Chief Accountant, you'll be the guardian of our financial integrity, setting the standard for technical excellence across the organisation.

About the Role

This is your opportunity to act as the Council's lead technical accounting expert, influencing decision-making at the highest level, oversee the production of statutory accounts and drive continuous improvement across the corporate finance function.

You'll lead the preparation and delivery of the Council's annual Statement of Accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely publication. You will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of technical accounting, financial reporting and statutory returns and act as the Council's principal adviser on accounting standards, CIPFA requirements, IFRS developments and local government financial reporting regulations. You'll oversee the integrity of the general ledger within financial systems.

Beyond the technical, you'll lead the management of the annual external audit process and coordinate the Council's response to audit findings - ensuring findings are implemented, controls are continuously strengthened, and the organisation maintains the highest standards of financial governance.

Critically, you'll lead and develop a team of finance professionals. This is a leadership role where you'll coach, mentor, and inspire others to deliver excellence - building capability that will serve the council for years to come.

The reality of the role: Nottingham's accounts have been brought up to date, but all recent sets were disclaimed due to the lack of time for auditors to obtain adequate assurance. While a national problem, the past legacy of two separate Section 114 decisions means the council expects a detailed audit that will review past years' transactions. With the Government setting out a minimum three-year path back to unmodified accounts, this is your opportunity to lead the council through that journey - strengthening the corporate finance function and restoring full audit confidence.

Your Influence and Responsibility

• Technical authority: You'll be the principal adviser on accounting standards and complex financial reporting - shaping decisions that impact the entire organisation.
• Strategic influence: You'll work directly with the s151 Officer, Directors of Finance, and senior stakeholders - your advice will shape the council's financial reporting direction.
• Leadership impact: You'll build and lead a high-performing team, developing the next generation of public finance professionals.
• Governance and accountability: You'll be the operational lead for the statutory audit process, ensuring the council maintains the highest standards of financial integrity.

What You'll Lead and Influence

• The production of the council's Statement of Accounts and statutory financial reporting
• The annual statutory audit process - acting as operational relationship manager for internal and external audit
• Technical accounting advice and support to senior stakeholders across the organisation
• The integrity of the general ledger and financial systems
• Interpretation and implementation of complex accounting standards including IFRS and the CIPFA Code of Practice
• The development and motivation of a team of finance professionals

Who We're Looking For

You're an experienced, qualified accountant who combines technical mastery with strategic vision and leadership capability. You thrive on complexity, influence with authority, and inspire those around you to deliver excellence.

You’ll bring:

• Acknowledged expertise in local government accounting, financial reporting and audit
• Significant experience preparing and coordinating year-end accounts in a large, complex organisation
• Deep technical knowledge of the CIPFA Code of Practice, IFRS, and financial regulations
• Proven leadership capability – you've built and developed high-performing teams
• The ability to influence and negotiate at the highest levels
• CCAB qualified with evidence of continued professional development

You’ll also bring the behaviours that make a great local government finance leader:

• A methodical, detail-oriented mindset - you take personal pride in the accuracy of financial reporting
• A risk-aware, not risk-averse approach - you instinctively spot financial risks and control weaknesses early, but focus on managing those risks rather than shutting down progress entirely
• The ability to lead under difficult circumstances - you remain calm under pressure during high-stakes situations like external audits or scrutiny, and you have a natural instinct to mentor and coach those around you
• A pragmatic, innovative approach - you don't rely on \"the way things have always been done\"; you proactively look for ways to automate, simplify, and optimise reporting and system usage
• Political astuteness - you understand the friction between political aspirations and financial realities, and you have the confidence to constructively challenge when required
• A mission-driven, public service orientation - you're genuinely motivated by stewardship and the assurance that every pound of taxpayer money is maximised to best serve the community

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